April 6, 2009

Runners of the Green Laurel at Chris Kew Benefit

Runners of the Green Laurel

Throughout the years, various incarnations of the band have opened for names that include John Berry, as well as Grammy Award Winning singer Linda Davis. Members of the Runners have also performed alongside the likes of Vassar Clements, Bobby Hicks, Ralph Lewis, David Holt, Marc Pruett, and even the legendary Bill Monroe (during a brief stint Little Lewis served as one of Monroe's "Bluegrass Boys"), to name a few.

Musician Micah Hanks likes to call his new band's music "throw-down" bluegrass. Fast-driving, original and technically tight, the Runners of the Green Laurel are a great young group of musicians from Enka-Candler, with Caleb Hanks on mandolin, brother Micah Hanks on guitar and friends Don Lewis (Sons of Ralph) on fiddle and Matt Hixon on bass.

Dad Bucky Hanks, one of Western North Carolina's best-known professional musicians, plays banjo when not at his job as rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Woodfin.
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THE CAUSE

THE CAUSE
Chris Kew hails from Newfoundland by way of Boston and toured his way around North America countless times before settling down in Asheville NC.

In past years Chris has performed with a number of bands Hypnotic Clambake, Jiggle the Handle, Steel String Theory, and The Recipe. More recently Chris Kew teamed up with Mars Farris to form Junco Partners. Music is his passion.

But for the past year Chris' ability to pursue his passion and support his family has been severely limited.

Several months ago, Chris Kew was been diagnosed with an arterial veinous malformation in his left temporal lobe. It affected his speech center and language comprehension. The complications from the condition made it very difficult for Chris to pursue his profession as a musician.

His doctors recommended surgery and after several delays, the surgery was completed late in the spring of 209. It's was very delicate surgery with many potential complications and risks but Chris pulled through. He now faces a long and slow recovery.

Chris longs to return to playing music full-time but he's got quite a journey ahead of him. Anyone one who has been through brain surgery is aware that recovery is a slow and painstaking process and things which were once simple tasks, now require significant energy and focus.

Chris continues to take several prescriptions which take a toll on both his physical and emotional status. The prescriptions also take a toll on his wallet and the financial burdens are difficult since Chris is unable to return to work as of yet.