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The Carolinas’ Full Throttle Magazine
Lucas Cole Nixon Foundation Benefit Rally
“So, don’t cry for me I’m no longer alone sitting on this beautiful mountain, I’m sitting here with my Father. So go enjoy the day until we meet again. Just remember, “I love you all”. Lucas (http://lucascolenixon.org) The driving rain nor howling winds could not keep away fellow bikers who came to show support for the Lucas Cole Nixon Foundation Rally at Rockingham Dragway on June 1 and 2. The purpose was to celebrate the life of a young man who committed suicide as a result of a school system that allows bullying to come not only from the students, but also from the teachers. The first band on Friday, Walla, took the stage on time and brought out old favorite rock with a splash of their original tunes which reminded me of the Avett Brothers. The lead singer for the band, Matt, was a friend of Lucas till the end. “When my mother came in the door and said Lucas had killed himself, mortality became real” Matt shared with the bikers gathered in the misting rain. The community gathered didn’t seem to mind the off and on again rain as the bands played on and we shared truth with one another. Everyone seemed to have a moment in time where they were bullied or were in fact the bully themselves. The rain came harder and the camaraderie became stronger. Raven, the event organizer, was so overwhelmed by the emotions of the event that she had a friend of hers read the speech she had prepared for the opening of the rally. Raven’s son was a victim of bullying in the same school system as Lucas. She challenged the people of Richmond County to get off their asses and make some REAL changes to the system by starting at the center of the problem – the superintendent of schools. If the leader of the broken school system doesn’t see that it needs to be fixed, then she asked him to step down and allow a leader to come forth who will take off their blinders and see the needs of the students that are suffering under oppression. Every point was cheered by all those standing in witness of the truth of the power and powerlessness of bullying. The Monika James Band took the stage and rocked the ROCK as the rain and wind began to bear down on us. Standing, soaked, with the wind blowing our hair straight, we stood together until it was too dangerous for the band to play on. The Artimus Pyle Band never took the stage as the rain set in and basically flooded out the rest of Friday night. Although we wanted to keep the spirit we had found there going, Mother Nature said good night and we had to wish for better weather on Saturday. Saturday opened up with beautiful weather and the thunder came rolling to the Rock about midday. Mother Nature gave us an open door to party on and celebrate life. And we did. Music flooded the rally grounds while bikers danced, drank, and engaged each other in conversations about life, God, and the future of our youth. The Artimus Pyle Band had left Saturday morning to prepare for another gig, but Artimus stayed. In his words to his fellow bikers Artimus related some stories from his life of rock-n-roll and his service for our country as well as his own personal
battle with bullies over his lifespan. Then it happened… Those of us who had braved the elements over the last 36 hours were treated to the jam session of a lifetime! Artimus played drums with a “pick-up” band that seemed to change members after each song. The sounds were damn good because they were not formulated but came from the hearts and souls of all who took the stage. Everyone was valuable and each had his or her talent that they brought to the music. No one was better than the next or less, either. It was a show of community. A community, who wanted to come together and shut down an epidemic of bullying that has overcome our country, had been created and was alive. The rally closed with the crazy ass stage presence of Geneva and her band rocking the Rock till 2AM. All of us crowded the stage and danced in triumph. We withstood the unpredictable weather together and at that moment in time we danced together as comrades before going into battle – the battle for the future of our youth. Great time of freedom and the pursuit of it! Kudos, Raven and the gang. You stood and drew your line in the sand. Thank 1335 National Hwy. Thomasville, NC you for showing the people of Richmond In Stock! County the truth. Rock on! • Taking Bikes On Consignment • Used Inventory And Lucas – we did enjoy our day with you, darlin. Too bad your peace 336-885-5796 could not be here 336-885-5677 on Earth. Until next year, friends. Mon-Fri 9-6pm • Sat 9-4 • Closed Sun Keeping it real, Candace, RIT
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