Sharp sings for benefit

By Wanda Combs

Both arms wrapped up, and one in a sling, the singer walked on stage. Kevin Sharp, who had wrecked his motorcycle only the day before and been in the hospital, forgot about his injuries and put the focus on this cause. Sharp, a Nashville recording artist, came to Floyd to raise money for Medical Charities of Floyd County. He felt so strongly about doing this performance not even a serious accident could keep him away.

Sharp is a cancer survivor. He told the crowd gathered for the concert at Floyd County High School Saturday when he was 16 years old doctors had said he had only a few months to live. Hope, he added, “absolutely helped to save my life.”

Out of his experience arose a desire to be a motivation to others facing serious illness.

Sharp said the concert Saturday was “more than about music”; it was about “making a difference.”

The day, which also included a motorcycle ride (see story this page), raised over $5,000 for Medical Charities, and Michael Bishop, who with Jeff Dalton and Chris Bower sponsored the event, said Monday organizers were hoping to reach the 7,500-dollar mark after bills were paid. Sharp added to the proceeds too when he auctioned off the pants he had been wearing when he wrecked his bike.  With the singer’s 50-dollar contribution, the pants brought in $300.

An audience of approximately 300 set up chairs on the pavement or under shade trees on the sunny afternoon. Several classic cars were also nearby.

Sharp, who had planned to participate in the motorcycle ride in Floyd, too, had just bought a new motorcycle when the wreck in Nashville occurred. “I owned it 15 minutes,” he informed the crowd between songs.

Before the concert began, Sharp met with Kassidy Foster, Karlie Nichols, and Austin Marshall and their families. Chance Harman was not feeling well and was unable to attend, but his father Brian and grandmother Anne Harman represented him. Kassidy and Chance are fighting cancer. Karlie has cystic fibrosis, and Austin has been battling sickness most of his young life.

“I want to say a great big thanks to anyone who participated and volunteers that helped…to make (the day) a success,” Bishop remarked.

He commended Sharp for performing, after being seriously injured. “He said he was coming no matter what.”

Bishop said planners intend to keep their website – cruisin4charities – up and running for future rides and events. Saturday, however, was a “very special day…If next year is ten times bigger, I’m never going to forget that day.”