Rick Springfield to put on benefit solo concert in Cape

After the loss of their 13-year-old daughter to cancer, Shannon and Amy Aldridge were devastated. To combat their sorrow, they have dedicated their free time to helping a therapeutic organization that benefited Sahara, enlisting the help of recording artist Rick Springfield.

Springfield will perform a solo acoustic concert Oct. 4 at Buckner Brewing Co. All money raised will be donated to Mississippi Valley Therapeutic Horsemanship, an organization that uses horses for healing. Concert tickets went on sale Friday and are expected to be sold out by the weekend.

"Finding Mississippi Valley was one of the best things that happened to Sahara while she was sick. I have a photo that sums up everything in one photograph. She's on a horse, and has left her wheelchair behind. It shows she's happy, able to be free for a while, and do what she loved before her illness," said Amy Aldridge.

Springfield is a family friend of the Aldridges and is perhaps most well known for his 1981 hit song "Jessie's Girl."

Three of his latest songs, released last week on the album "Venus in Overdrive," were written about Sahara. Shannon Aldridge's favorite is "Saint Sahara" because it represents the spunk and zest for life so apparent in Sahara, he said. The other songs are "God Blinked (Swing It Sister)," and "Oblivious."

"When [Springfield] was writing the songs, he called and talked to Amy, and she said 'Don't make them sad, make them a celebration," Shannon Aldridge said.

"God Blinked" has a "happy bounce" to it, while "Oblivious" expresses the desire to forget pain associated with the loss of a loved one, Amy Aldridge said. "It's saying I wish I could be oblivious because I don't like the reality of all this," she said.

Springfield last performed a concert in Cape Girardeau in December 2006, a benefit show to help offset Sahara's medical bills. Sahara died of brain stem cancer in November.

"This was the most devastating situation I have ever been a part of, and I will never forget that. But as a musician, we take devastation and reflect it into some of the greatest music," Springfield said.

Grayson Erlbacher was Sahara's instructor at Mississippi Valley and said money raised will help provide scholarships, riding supplies and grain for the horses and will pay for veterinary bills. The Aldridges already donated $2,150 to the organization last month after selling Sahara remembrance T-shirts.

Mississippi Valley depends on volunteers and donations to function, Erlbacher said.

Tickets to the show are on sale exclusively at PMac Music, 2500 William St. Prices range from $20 to $100. Balcony seats are already sold out, Amy Aldridge said. A silent auction will also be held, with items including a guitar autographed by Springfield.

"It's going to be a very special night, no doubt about it," Springfield said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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