Vermont Band Comes Home For Sold-Out Concert
By Dell Hill
Almost as soon as the word leaked out, tickets were extremely difficult to buy- even the $250 VIP tickets went like hotcakes. That was the case for the return of Phish - and, of course, all of the “Phishheads” - to Vermont for an impromptu concert to aid those who lost so much during the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene.
The money raised is now being distributed and here’s today’s report from Fox44Now.
“The money that the band Phish raised in its September benefit concert is now being distributed to Vermonters.
The concert brought in more than $1 million.”
Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 (with the current line up solidifying in 1985), the band's four members – Trey Anastasio (guitars, lead vocals), Mike Gordon (bass, vocals), Jon Fishman (drums, percussion, vocals), and Page McConnell (keyboards, vocals) – performed together for over 20 years before breaking up in August 2004. They reunited March 2009 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and have since resumed performing regularly.
“The Vermont Community Foundation, which is helping the band, announced a round of grants ranging from $50,000 to $150,000.
The grants will go to organizations that help farmers, non-profits and businesses.
Foundation leaders have defended the length of time it's taken to give the Phish funds and all the money raised to help Irene victims.
"Everybody feels a great urgency about this, a great urgency to get the money out and a great urgency to do it right," said Stuart Comstock-Gay, the Vermont Community Foundation President and CEO.
The foundation says it expects to give away more than $1,000,000.
Staff members say the next round of grants will be smaller and go to community relief funds around Vermont.”
Kudos to Trey Anastasio, Mike Gordon, Jon Fishman and Page McConnell for this outstanding contribution in keeping “Vermont Strong”.
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