Sunday blues concert to benefit car accident victim

Blues music, a raffle and silent auction are on tap Sunday at the Inn at DePauw to help raise funds for a 22-year-old man recovering from a serious car accident.

Doors open for the benefit concert at 2 p.m., with Ben Prestage taking the stage at 3 p.m. to present "booty-shakin', soul-takin', juke-joint blues" in Greencastle for the first time.

The event, organized by Steve McLaughlin, will benefit Tanner Freeman, of Martinsville. Sheryl Richey, a friend his mom Rhonda Freeman, said McLaughlin had set up the event and offered to let her incorporate the fundraiser.

Freeman was in a serious car accident July 5, 2014. Initially prounounced dead, Freeman underwent surgery to remove a piece of his skull. He also suffered from a broken neck, collapsed lungs and six broken ribs.

Freeman spent the next month in a coma, but family and friends continued to play music for him, talk to him and held his favorite things to smell under his nose when finally he began to respond with his eyes.

As the young man continued to make progress, he was able to be transferred to the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana where he made a miraculous recovery.

Despite the major gains Freeman has made, he is still unable to use his left arm and leg. The accident also left his right vocal cord paralyzed, which means he is only at 40 percent breathing capacity. His inability to work has caused Freeman to lose his home, car and independence. His mother has to stay home to care for him.

So, in addition to Prestage's performance, there willl be a raffle and silent auction items, including concert tickets, T-shirts, Olive Garden gift certificates and Harley-Davidson gift certificates.

"We are hoping everyone will bid on the items before the band plays at 3, and when the music is over at 6 we will announce the winners," Richey explained.

There is a $10 cover fee for the event, with free admittance for children. There will also be a cash bar.

Richey noted The Greencastle Eagles and Legion have both made a donation to the event, and the Elks Lodge has put out a donation jar to assist.

Prestage is a native of south-central Florida, who plays high-level blues and was voted "one of the three best unsigned performers in the world" at the 2006 International Blues Challenge and is the only two-time recipient of the prestigious Lyons/Pitchford Award for "Best Diddley-Bow Player."