FREE CONCERT WILL BENEFIT AREA HUNGRY

KIMBERLING CITY – A free concert has been planned for the Kimberling City area to help raise food for area food pantries.
The concert will provide some of the hottest local acts from Stone County and the Branson area in an effort to raise awareness of hunger and needs in the Ozarks region.
Sponsored by The Ozarks Sentinel, the concert will feature Keith Allen (Rednecker), Tracy Lynn, The Missouri Boatride (with Dean Webb – one of the original Darlings from the Andy Griffith Show), and perennial favorite, The Highway 13 Band. Several other artists have indicated an interest to perform at the benefit, and will be announced as appearances are confirmed.
Publisher, Mary Warren, said the idea for the concert came as part of the newspaper’s commitment to provideing support for local charities.
“We have always been very big on supporting charities within our coverage area, “ she said. “With the current concerns over the economy, it is easy to forget that people are going hungry in this area and the food pantries do an excellent job of trying to make sure no one goes hungry. However, as we hear news about the economy declining we also note that people aren’t always tuned into the problems that others may be facing.
“By putting together this concert, with some amazing talent, we hope that many of our readers will come out, bring a couple of non-perishable food items and enjoy an evening of wonderful entertainment. At the same time, they will be helping those who have need of something so many of us take for granted – food.”
Warren noted that the world-class entertainers lined up for the April 4 concert, have all donated their time and talent.
“We have some wonderful, caring entertainers in our area and they have so graciously donated their talents to this cause. For each of them, we are truly grateful,” she said.
The concert will be held at the Ozarks Room at Hillbilly Bowl in Kimberling City beginning at 6 p.m. on April 4.
Warren said the venue was selected for a number of reasons.
The Kimberling City area is home to the newspaper and is central to much of their coverage area, making it an easy drive for people from many of the communities.
In addition, the venue donated the space and set-up and has held numerous concerts over the years.
But, according to Warren, one of the biggest reasons for the venue selection came because of it’s look.
“This isn’t a big Branson-type theater. It is reminiscent of the old Ozarks,” she said. “It’s basically a big room with chairs and a small stage. We didn’t want all of the trappings of a modern venue. We wanted this to be a community concert that everyone would feel very comfortable attending.”