Fundraiser concert held in memory of Moultrie teen

MOULTRIE — In a time of intense sorrow and loss for one of its own, the Moultrie community is rallying around the family of Memarie DiBenedetto.

After spending nine months in the Intensive Care Unit at Emory University Hospital, DiBenedetto lost her battle recently with HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis). To help the 19-year-old woman’s family with costs associated with her long hospital stay, Colquitt Countians are coming together Saturday for a benefit concert/fundraiser in DiBenedetto’s honor.

Rising Southwest Georgia country star Cole Taylor, who worked with DiBenedetto’s father, producer Gary, on Taylor’s early albums, will headline a concert that is set to include Daniel Parrish and Angelie, Acts of Faith, Kristen Brady, and Crossing 47.

“Since moving to Nashville, Cole has already written two No. 1 hits: ‘Sippin’ on Fire’ by Florida Georgia Line and ‘Home Alone Tonight’ by Luke Bryan,” said TyTy’s Austin McAlpin, whose McAlpin Entertainment is planning and producing the benefit. “Cole is making the trip down from Nashville on his own dime in support of the DiBenedetto family.

“The family is devastated by the loss of Memarie, who was one of about eight people on the planet who had (the combination of illnesses that led to her untimely death). She had about a 100-doctor team working with her, and she fought hard, but this amazing young lady eventually lost her battle.”

The benefit will be held at the Colquitt County Arts Center at 401 Seventh Ave. SW in Moultrie. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and music starts at 6:30 p.m. A donation of $10 is suggested for attendees.

In addition to the music, raffle tickets will be sold at the door. Raffle items available with the purchase of a $5 ticket include a three-day, two-night stay at a log cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.; assorted gift baskets; four tickets to Wild Adventures Theme Park and an assortment of CDs; two tickets to the May 5 Shenandoah concert in Tifton; $50 gift cards from Longhorns and The Bistro, both of Tifton, and The Square restaurant of Moultrie; two $25 Shell gas cards; a Guild D140 guitar with case; a weed cutter, and an eight-week beginner guitar classes and a gift basket from Beans & Strings of Moultrie.

The big raffle item of the fundraiser, which requires purchase of a $10 ticket, is a full, 12-hour recording session in Studio A of Atlanta’s famous Tree Sound Studios, valued at $2,500.

“Everyone from Elton John to Aerosmith to Usher to Justin Bieber has recorded at Tree Sound,” said McAlpin, whose company does concert production, talent buying, booking and artist marketing in the music industry.

For additional information, visit www.mcalpinentertainment.com online.