The crowd was slim but the excitement was thick in the air at an Oct. 23 fundraising concert held in Chestertown, Maryland, to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The effort to aid the communities devastated by the tragedy was especially important to Energy Field band member Mike Jones, who barely missed the storm’s wrath. Jones was in New Orleans attending Loyola University when news of Katrina’s approach sent students and faculty alike on an exodus to safety in nearby areas. Jones was already on his cell phone planning a hurrican relief concert while en route to San Antonio, where he would spend his time during evacuation.

“Thankfully my family and I are safe,” he said. Unfortunately, many others in his community were not as lucky. Thousands of people lost their possessions, homes, jobs, and accumulations from a lifetime. Jones soon returned to his home state of Maryland to resume his studies at Loyola Baltimore. Like many others he was looking for a way to help and what he could offer was his gift of music. With the help of his band mates, and the local country club, he began organizing the concert.

Hosted by The Chester River Yacht and Country Club, the afternoon event featured local bands. In addition to Jones’s band Energy Field, Three Roads Traveled, Frat House Rocks and The Grilled Lincolns also performed.

The highlight of the evening, according to Energy Field drummer Nate Delesline was the all band jam session, which rocked the house and had the crowd, even those in the lounge watching the football game, up on their feet cheering! “It was a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s been a long time since I’d done anything like that.”

The event raised a total of $2650, with $2050 going to the Loyola University of New Orleans Katrina Relief Fund. The remainder of the he proceeds going to the Red Cross.

Mike Jones, Energy Field guitarist and fundraiser organizer said, “I know this is a drop in the bucket, but if we all keep dropping, pretty soon the bucket will be full!”

Those who were not able to attend and wish to donate can do so by going to www.loyno.edu and choosing the hurricane relief link.

For additional information, please contact Will Farrar, at 303-222-5934.