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| Playing Music To Help Pets |
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| News - Linn County News | |||
| Written by Denise Cassells | |||
| Wednesday, 28 January 2009 08:00 | |||
 In an effort to draw attention to the need for a county animal shelter, four rock bands performed Friday night at Prairie View High School. The concert was organized by PVHS juniors Sheila Bailey and Rachel Benjamin, who are the founders of Students Promoting and Encouraging Animal Kindness, a student group dedicated to helping animals. Opening performances featured two local bands, Silent Blue and R.O.R., which are both comprised of PVHS students. R.O.R.’s high-voltage vocalist Sam Brush, a junior who also happens to be president of PVHS student body, drew high praise from the crowd. “Amazing, awesome and freaking funny,” students Ashley Peek and Chelsie Brandt said of the performance. When Peace at War, an Osawatomie band, gave their performance, bass guitarist Daniel Dorsett showed an impressive talent. “This is the first time I’ve heard them play outside of my basement,” said Jeff Dorsett, a proud father. CrossFactor, the headliner of the night, took the stage and seemed to mesmerize everyone, especially the young ladies who appeared smitten with lead singer Blaine Dunlop, who also plays a well-practiced fiddle. “I think (the benefit) is awesome. I haven’t heard too much about it, but I am an animal person myself,” said CrossFactor bass guitarist and back-up vocalist Forest Smith. Besides their obvious talent, there is uniqueness that CrossFactor band members have. All five members, ranging in ages from 12 to 17, were home-schooled. Each displayed their talents by performing all of their own original written music and lyrics. In fact, they were preparing to record their first demo CD at Bought Records in Ottawa on Saturday. Band members said they performed in four counties and saved all of their earnings to pay for promotional items such as posters, T-shirts and CDs. S.P.E.A.K. is sponsored by PVHS English and French teacher Christy Nickelson, who says there are about 20 active student members who meet every Monday to discuss various pets and strategies aimed at establishing a county animal shelter. By advocating for a countywide shelter, students hope to save cities the expense of running individual animal shelters. Since S.P.E.A.K. began locating people willing to adopt stray pets, 30 animals — including, cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils and even a chinchilla — have found homes. S.P.E.A.K. members continue to grow in numbers and determination. Approaching county commissioners may be one option to let others know the seriousness of their desire to find homes for these wayward animals. “I’m excited. This blows my mind that (the concert is) working. Hopefully (students) will walk away with something more about animals and the help they need,” founding member Benjamin said. “It’s a great turnout.” Sign-up forms to receive information about pets available for adoption were available Friday night for about 200 people who attended the event. Anyone interested in learning more about the pets can contact Nickelson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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