“Let’s hear it for Wendy Miller!” said Landon Parker, the headliner at Wendy Miller’s benefit concert.
An estimated 250-300 people endured the heat last Sunday at Yadkinville Community Park in support of Wendy Miller and to see musician Landon Parker perform. Most were wearing pink shirts supporting breast cancer awareness that said “Get Involved” on the front and “Team Miller” on the back.
Wendy Miller, 41, is a lifelong Boonville resident who was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer last August. She was diagnosed after a routine mammogram. Miller says she wants to encourage all women to get mammograms so that if cancer is present it can be caught early and treated.
Miller’s friend, Karen Carter, organized the benefit concert featuring Yadkinville’s Landon Parker.
“Yadkin County was extremely generous, and it is absolutely heartwarming for me to see not only the attendance at the concert, but how people opened their hearts and donated to this family. I am extremely proud to call Yadkin County home because time and time again everyone has risen to our call for support,” Carter said.
The star of the benefit concert was Landon Parker, 17, a young man with a vision of becoming a successful country music musician. He is from Yadkinville and will graduate from Forbush High School this June. Parker’s first album, tentatively titled “Countryside” will come out sometime this summer featuring many original songs co-written with his older brother, Nathan Parker, 22.
Like most people, Parker has been affected by cancer - he has had several relatives, including two grandparents, die due to various forms of the disease. He wanted to help Wendy Miller for this reason.
“It’s very humbling. It’s been heartwarming. I don’t really have words,” Miller said.
Sunday was the second time Parker’s newly formed band performed in public, and it was also the first time Parker has played in his hometown. Band members are Nick Badgio, bass, Chobby Badgio, lead guitar, and Brandon Harris, drums.
Parker played several original songs including “Countryside” and “Stay the Same.” He covered popular country music artists such as Jason Aldean, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan.
Singers Joey Whitaker and Brittanie Phipps opened for Landon Parker. Also present was Miss Charlotte Teen USA 2012, Lindsey Baker, to support the cause.
Want to donate to Wendy Miller? Call Karen Carter a 336-817-1500 or e-mail her at klcarter44@yadtail.net.
Interested in learning more about Landon Parker’s music or booking a show? Contact his manager, Lonnie Hicks, with Smash & Grab Entertainment at 336-681-1042 or Lonnie@smashgrabnow.com.
Connect with Landon Parker on YouTube at Lparker94, Twitter/Landonparker1 and Facebook.com/landon.parker.
Reach Tara E. Moore at 835-1513 or tmoore@heartlandpublications.com.
Post a Comment
