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Cooder Graw to Perform College of Medicine Charity Event

Skip breadcrumb navigation COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Oct. 21, 2004) - Loud Country recording artists Cooder Graw will be performing a concert to benefit the State Employee Charitable Fund Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 4 p.m. in the courtyard between the Reynolds Medical Building and the Medical Sciences Library on Texas A&M’s West Campus. Known statewide for songs like “Born on the Llano Estacado”, “Better Days”, “Willie’s Guitar” and “New Dress”, the group has volunteered their time and talent to help the College of Medicine (COM) raise funds for the Hospice Brazos Valley.

Admission to the show is free and students, faculty/staff and community members are invited to come and enjoy the festivities. COM staff will be selling candy, popcorn and drinks, and donations are accepted and encouraged. Drawings for great door prizes and other activities are planned to raise money for the Hospice Brazos Valley.

Cooder Graw is making a stop in College Station to promote their new CD, Wake Up, which was released Oct. 19. Their new single, “Lifetime Stand”, is already working its way up the Texas music charts and stands at number 13 this week. After the benefit show at the College of Medicine, the Amarillo-based group will be at the College Station Hastings store for a CD release party at 6:30 p.m. and will be performing at The Tap on Harvey Road later in the evening.

When asked if he and the band would be willing to make time in their hectic schedules to do the charity show, lead singer and songwriter Matt Martindale was happy to help. “We’re absolutely thrilled to be asked,” the Pampa native said. “We are treated so well every time we come to College Station and we love it here. If we can help the College of Medicine raise some money for the cause, that would be great.”

The group has several Aggie connections, not the least of which is Aggie and College Station local Nick Worley, who plays fiddle and mandolin. Chris Mekolic, the band’s stage manager and chief roadie, is also an Aggie. Like Worley, Mekolic is taking a short break from school to tour with the group. They are joined in the band by lead guitar player Kelly Turner of Lubbock, Paul Baker from Amarillo on bass guitar and Kelly Test of Dallas on drums.

Be sure to bring your contribution for charity for the State Employee Charitable Fund and get ready to have some fun with Cooder Graw Tuesday October 26 in the Medical Sciences Courtyard at 4 p.m.