El Paso's Rock for Ruidoso concert seeks to raise $3K for disaster relief

Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times
·2 min read

Some of El Paso's hard-working bands will unite and Rock for Ruidoso as a fundraiser for victims of the wildfires and more recent flooding.

The fundraiser will be Sunday, July 14, at 101, 4151 N. Mesa St. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Promoter John Summerford, also known as DJ Johnny Crash, said he immediately wanted to do something when he heard about the New Mexico fires on the news. He said he could relate to the disaster of losing your home.

For a time, he and his autistic son were almost homeless before he decided to go back to school and graduated from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2017.

"It just hit us hard because we know what it's like to struggle and almost lose everything but fight to get your life back," Summerford said. "I took it kind of personal, all these people losing their homes."

Eight El Paso rock bands will get together to Rock for Ruidoso and raise funds for the victims of the Ruidoso wildfires and more recent flooding. The concert is Sunday, July 14. The logo is part of a T-shirt that will be available for $25.
Eight El Paso rock bands will get together to Rock for Ruidoso and raise funds for the victims of the Ruidoso wildfires and more recent flooding. The concert is Sunday, July 14. The logo is part of a T-shirt that will be available for $25.

The South Fork Fire and Salt Fire started June 17, ravaging thousands of acres and killing at least two people in Ruidoso. Lightning caused the South Fork Fire, according to the FBI. The cause of the Salt Fire remains unknown.

Now, Ruidoso residents are dealing with flash flooding and forced evacuations.

Summerford challenged local bands to see who would be willing to play for free to raise money for Ruidoso, and the response was great. The Razors, a local band, will supply the backlighting for the concert.

The concert will start at 1 p.m. and feature eight bands with headliners Fab4Cezz and Rewind. The schedule will be:

  • 1 p.m. The Little Lobos

  • 1:45 p.m. Ness Daniels

  • 2:30 p.m. Funeral Joke

  • 3:15 p.m. Jane Like Fire

  • 4 p.m. Lazy Crow

  • 5 p.m. The Velvets

  • 6:15 p.m. Fab4Cezz

  • 7:30-8:30 p.m. Rewind

The band Jane Like Fire will be part of the lineup for the Rock for Ruidoso fundraising concert July 14 at 101, 4151 N. Mesa St.
The band Jane Like Fire will be part of the lineup for the Rock for Ruidoso fundraising concert July 14 at 101, 4151 N. Mesa St.

Summerford said he does security for Joe Dorgan, who owns 101, and the two were able to work together to plan the concert at the club.

"We at 101 stand united with the people of El Paso in support of the people of Ruidoso," Dorgan said. "It is our hope to raise a minimum of $3,000. We do hope to raise more in order to help Ruidoso the best we can."

As part of the fundraiser, they will have a donation drop-off point for blankets, clothes and toys for kids. They will also sell a limited number of T-shirts with a Rock for Ruidoso logo for $25.

Admission will be $10.

More: Ruidoso flooding triggers response from New Mexico National Guard, El Paso firefighters

María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Rock for Ruidoso: El Paso bands unite for fundraiser after wildfires