TAPS Hosts Nashville Super Stars

Local Celeb’s Jump on Stage to Honor Soldiers

That’s right. Peter Boyles, Jake Jabs, Ralph Achilles, Dave & Rachel Preston and Johnny Neill performed before a packed house at the Radisson Hotel Southeast last Friday night.

Adding to the rockin’ stompin’ song filled night of music was the centerpiece: a lovely, heartfelt song written for the occasion, “I’m Here For You,” by Frank Myers & Billy Montana. The sentiment held center stage as the theme of the May 1, 2015, gala, TAPS: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

Arriving in Denver for the songfest was a bus load of Nashville’s finest songwriters. They graciously took the stage in a Nashville tradition of trading songs and stories. The  Nashville-ites who came to entertain were superstar songwriters Billy Montana, Brett Jones, Frank Myers, Danny Wells and Jimmy Nichols.  

This somber yet joyous night in southeast Denver rang with laughter, friends and songs. Military officers, families and supporters were bursting with pride. Local comedian, author and songwriter, Ralph Achilles, brought his motley jug band to the stage. It was almost as big a hit as Garth Brooks (well sort of). The group’s performance added a lively rhythm to the evening and, make no mistake, guests were sufficiently entertained and impressed with the talents of Denver’s own Jake Jabs and Peter Boyles. Bo Cottrell, organizer of TAPS, was suffering from a bout of laryngitis and had to bow out from his usual jovial participation. Though silent, he was brilliant on stage directing and egging on his friends and cronies.

The event was a toe-tapping night, but in all seriousness, the hundreds of supporters were there for one reason, to raise money for soldiers and their survivors. All donations will allow children to attend TAPS Camp-Out for young survivors; support the National Military Survivor 24/7 Helpline; the National Good Grief Camp; Grief Resource kits for bereaved military families; backpacks and camp materials for children attending the Good Grief Camp; and, free TAPS Survivor Guide, the primary resource for grieving military families.

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors has helped more than 50,000 survivors of soldiers who died while serving our country. TAPS receives no government funds and events such as Friday night’s keep the program alive. Everyone was proud to say, it is alive through generous donations from supporters of TAPS.

To support TAPS call 303-696-0450 or contact Lynne Cottrell at lcottrell@TAPS.org. There are events scheduled for the spring and summer including the TAPS Memorial Day Concert, Friday, May 25, 2015. Check out the lineup at www.taps.org/classic.