Musicians Unite for Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund Benefit at LoonAsea
Updated: 5 days ago
A steady downpour could have kept people home on Sunday, October 11. Instead, LoonAsea filled with music, hugs, memories, and a strong reminder of what the Maryland music community can do when one of its own needs support.
The Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund held its second benefit event at LoonAsea, bringing together a packed house of fans, friends, families, and bands. It was a cancer benefit, but the room did not feel heavy. People donated, sang along, danced, laughed, and shared stories of the people they came to honor.
This follow-up to last week’s preview looks at the event through the musicians who took part. Their words say as much about the cause as the music did.
A rainy Sunday still brought out a packed house
Founding member Michael Ferretti, also the bassist for Fire Within, spent five months helping plan the second benefit. After all that preparation, the weather turned rough. The community showed up anyway.
“Wow! Our Maryland musical community is just simply amazing! After 5 months of planning, last Sunday was a torrential downpour all day, and our music community still came through for our Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund Inc. Benefit #2.”
Ferretti thanked the many people who helped make the day happen, including Bill Larney, Bobby McCandless, Tracy Boyd McCandless, Lori Ziegler, Debbi Henderson Whilden, Vicky Myers, Stacy McDavid of Revolution Magazine, MaryFrancis Seltzer, Beth Rouchard Riley, Carol Curreri, Terry Brunson Davis, Joe Hensley, Keith Larsen, Ryan Fowler’s Guitar Experience, Music Land in Bel Air, LoonAsea, and the venue staff.
He also thanked the bands that filled the day with music, including Mark Bray and the Steel Soul Cowboys, Ramsey’s Ride, Acid Wash, Fizz, Fire Within, AREA 52, and Madhouse.
“We thank everyone that helped and came out, we love you guys. Thanks to LoonAsea and their staff for being great. Let’s do it again in April. Stay tuned for Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund Inc. Benefit #3.”
The bands came to play, but also to stand with friends
For the musicians involved, this event was more than another Sunday gig. It was a chance to use the stage for something bigger than a set list.
Dave Simmons, guitarist for AREA 52, said the band felt honored to be included.
“Area 52 would like to thank the organizers of Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund for allowing us to be part of this great event. We were honored to be included among some of the region’s best musical talent.”
Ramsey’s Ride brought a deeply personal connection to the day. The band formed in 2023 to honor a dear friend they lost, which made the mission of the fund feel close to home.
“Supporting the Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund is something we’ll always want to be a part of, because cancer touches so many lives every day. We love using music for a greater purpose beyond just playing shows, and these events open meaningful doors for us.”
The band also made sure to recognize the people behind the scenes.
“We’re especially grateful to everyone who put this event together, that’s the real work. We hope to be involved regularly and help spread some joy along the way.”
That point came through again and again. Bands played the visible part, but events like this depend on months of planning, donated time, local sponsorship, sound, scheduling, promotion, raffle items, staff, and people willing to walk through the door.
Personal stories gave the music deeper meaning
Cancer is not an abstract cause for this community. Musicians, fans, friends, siblings, spouses, and longtime supporters have all been touched by it.
Jeff Caudle, lead vocalist of Acid Wash, spoke about why the band felt it was important to take part and help promote the show. For him, the event also carried the memory of a close friend, Lisa Steeg.
“It’s scary how much cancer has touched the lives of Maryland musicians. For me personally, Lisa Steeg was a very close friend. She was in my wedding party and my wife and I are still trying to process losing her. She was a constant supporter of local music and I know she would’ve been right upfront rocking the 80’s with us.”
That image, a friend who would have been right up front, captures so much of what local music means. The people in the crowd are not just ticket holders. They are part of the story.
Mark Bray, lead vocalist of Mark Bray & The Steel Soul Cowboys, also shared how close the cause is to his family.
“We were honored to take part in this event. Cancer impacts so many lives, and not just those battling it, but their families and loved ones as well.”
Bray said his sister has been in an ongoing battle with Hodgkin Lymphoma and recently got to ring the bell. His oldest brother rang the bell a few months ago, too.
“The Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund and organizations like it help people across the country, just like my siblings, seek the treatment they need to fight this horrible disease.”
Those victories, and those losses, shaped the day. The event made space for both.
LoonAsea became a room full of support
What stood out most was the balance of emotion. The cause was serious, but the mood was full of life. People came ready to give, but they also came ready to celebrate the friends still fighting, the loved ones remembered, and the community that keeps showing up.
A benefit like this works because the local music scene already has strong roots. Bands know each other. Fans follow multiple acts. Venue staff recognize familiar faces. Someone who comes for one band often stays for the next. That kind of connection cannot be created overnight.
At LoonAsea, that connection turned into real support. The crowd donated. The bands gave their time. The organizers carried the weight of planning. The room answered with noise, movement, and generosity.
The Maryland Musicians Cancer Fund Benefit at LoonAsea showed what happens when music becomes a meeting place for grief, gratitude, and hope. There were hard stories in the room, but they were met with friendship and song.
And if Ferretti’s words are any sign, the next chapter is already on the way.
Stay tuned for Benefit #3 in April.
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