61 North Host Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury

Posted in News. Written by Eric Hebert on January 18th, 2010

Philadelphia-area blues rockers 61 North are proud to present the second annual 61 North Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). The event will be held at Salem Community College’s 400-seat Davidow Theatre in Carneys Point NJ.

Special musical guests Mad-Sweet Pangs will provide a full set followed by headliner 61 North. Guest speakers will include President Peter B. Contini of SCC and Adam Taliaferro of the Adam Taliaferro Foundation. Brian Kanady of Rowan Radio will be hosting the event.

In 2000, Penn State Football star Adam Taliaferro was paralyzed after making a tackle in a game. After spinal-fusion surgery, he was told he would never walk again. Three months later, he walked out of Magee Rehab Center. Now Adam heads his own foundation devoted to providing funding for SCI and is a practicing attorney. 61 North and the Adam Taliaferro foundation have worked together the past few years, having 61 North play at their Annual Football Classic.

After a nearly fatal car accident in 2004, Ryan “Gooch” Nelson was left a quadriplegic and stripped of his ability to play guitar. With the dedicated support of family, friends and a great rehab hospital at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital in Philadelphia, Gooch was able to get much of his health back and become well enough to play music; co-founding 61 North with fellow musician Brian LaPann. A main part of 61 North’s mission is giving back to the community in charities that they believe in. That is why they decided to put together the 61 North Benefit Concert for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI).

Gooch spent six intense and critical months at the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital facilitating his abilities toward a better quality of life after his accident. Magee is one of the leading rehab clinics in the nation for spinal cord injury. Without their supreme care, many such as Gooch wouldn’t have the same second chance at enjoying a healthy life style again.

The first benefit concert on October 4th, 2008 rendered $4,000 profit for the cause. All proceeds will be split between the Adam Taliaferro Foundation and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital to supply physical therapy equipment for those struggling with Spinal Cord Injuries.

For more info on tickets and location, visit 61northband.com.

Download “Funk You” for free and see you at the show!