Local stoner throws benefit concert again

Joey Satterfield, who is organizing a benefit concert yet again this month.

The concert - tentatively scheduled to take place May 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the back pavilion of the Golden Goose lounge in downtown Kilgore - will feature five local bands, food, drinks and prizes, with all show proceeds going to Action Network of Kilgore (ANOK) and their ongoing fight for the legalization of marijuana.

"[The concert]'s going to rock!" said Satterfield, 28. "I've contacted over thirty campus organizations to participate in the front-bar vending area. Campus radio is already all over it, man, they can't stop shouting about it. Not to mention the local papers, who are all planning to run articles the week before the show. People should get there early, because tickets are gonna move fast!"

The ANOK concert marks the eighth benefit show organized in the last three years by Satterfield, who participates in the management of several area hardcore bands, but does not actually play a musical instrument. Satterfield has previously held benefit shows of varying success for Food First (a homeless shelter), AIDS awareness week and a fund raiser to buy a new van for the local jam band Budah, who lost their previous transportation in a post-gig traffic accident last fall.

Satterfield told sources he is excited about the ANOK benefit concert's entertainment lineup.

"Man, I've got some hot bands playing," said Satterfield. "Our confirmed headliner is Cranktrain from Chicago, which has ex-members of Lollipopper and Mr. X in it. Local rap master Big Purple is playing fourth. Then there's the techno band Meatbasket from Detroit. My favorite, Lazygirl, is playing second. Opening up will be the local blues of Old School Johnny. I'm super excited. It's going to be a real good time."

Satterfield's venue of choice for the ANOK benefit, the Golden Goose, has been a longtime supporter of Satterfield and his fundraiser concerts. Though the outdoor entertainment area has a fire marshal capacity rating of only 410 people, the club's owner, Chuck "Smiley" Johnstone, has displayed little concern that the show's size is going to be an issue.

"Oh, I think things will work out fine," said Johnstone. "We've yet to encounter a problem with capacity at any of Joey's shows. I think people will find the atmosphere very comfortable and spacious. We'll be serving alcohol, too, if anybody's interested."

Tickets for the ANOK benefit will soon be available at the club for $10 apiece, with a special "couple" pricing of $19 for two. Ticket prices will rise $2 the day of the show. Ample parking is provided for free at the Salvation Army parking lot across from the venue. Street parking is free on Sunday.

"It's [going to be] a great time for everybody. I've talked to a lot of radio people who say they are coming. And I heard Ted Nugent might be showing up. I've got flyers plastered all over the downtown area, and the buzz has been huge! If anybody's worried about [the attendance at] my last show, don't. It was just a bad coincidence that three of the four bands' singers came down with the flu the day of the show. That's not going to happen this time. So bring some friends and help out a good cause, because this is going to rock!"

In addition to the live music, the ANOK benefit will feature a variety of carnival-style booths representing a full spectrum of student organizations and local food vendors.

Mary Sims, owner/operator of the homemade jewelry retail store The Crystal Ball and a veteran participant of Satterfield's benefit concerts, said she is looking forward to the event, and is encouraging other storeowners to get behind the cause.

"I think it's going to be fun," said Sims, who has also donated a $25 gift certificate to be given away as a door prize. "With the warm weather we've been having, I think some people will show up. Plus, Joey has promised some pretty popular bands. I think it will be more successful than some of Joey's last shows. At the last couple of shows it was just me and Pizza Larry [operating vendor booths], and some of the bands didn't show up. I still don't know why the other [vendors] didn't show up, because it wasn't very cool to leave Joey hanging like that. He tries so hard."

Satterfield said that although attendance for many of his past benefit shows have fallen short of expectations, he remains confident that the May 22 benefit will raise at least $5,000 for ANOK.

"Man, last time the weather was bad, and I can't control the weather," explained Satterfield. "All I know is this one is the big one, and with the support of the local media and the community, it can't fail. Anybody who misses this show is a loser, because this show is going to rock!"

Other community members, however, question not only the benefit's chances of success, but Satterfield's motivation for repeatedly putting together concert fundraisers.

"That dude is a tool," said area hipster Alex Monno, referring to Satterfield. "He's always yammering on and on about his next show and how he's trying to raise money for this or that cause. I don't know why he puts so much effort into these non-profit shows when he doesn't even have a job. He drives this piece of shit Buick and is constantly borrowing money from everyone I know. He's just kind of a weirdo."

Added Monno, jokingly: "Somebody ought to throw a benefit for him."

May 2002