A healthy dose of music and friendship to help Kenny Capps battle cancer

“It's remarkable the folks who have chipped in [to help with Kenny Capps' benefit concert],” says musician David Lamotte. “It speaks to who Kenny is and the impact he's had on the community. He's well-known and loved in lots and lots of different circles ... and it's meaning a whole lot to him.” Photo courtesy of Capps' famliy

WHAT: A benefit concert for Kenny Capps

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 13, at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: White Horse Black Mountain

Five days before heading to Atlanta for surgery and a month of isolation to combat an aggressive form of bone marrow cancer, Black Mountain resident and Kudzu Printing Co. owner Kenny Capps will be enveloped in the sights and sounds of friendship; White Horse Black Mountain hosts a benefit concert planned by a group of his loved ones on Thursday, Aug. 13.

“It’s such a gift to people who love him that we have something we can do, which is always what you long for when somebody you love is hurting,” says author and award-winning singer/songwriter David LaMotte, who is also a longtime friend of Capps’.

Lamotte and Virginian musicians Karl Werne and BJ Leiderman all have live sets planned for the event and “spontaneous collaborations seem likely,” according to the talented and prolific group of friends. Local poet Barbie Angel will also perform, doubling as the emcee for the evening. LaMotte wouldn’t reveal details about one additional guest performance, “because it’s a surprise for Kenny.”

Capps has already begun treatment for the multiple myeloma he’s facing, and although a to-be-determined portion of the medical expenses will be covered by insurance, “there’s no question that the costs that are left are going to be huge,” Lamotte says. Meanwhile, Capps’ wife Murphy is managing Kudzu in Kenny’s absence, while also juggling her own business Kudzu Branding Co. and tending to the couple’s three children.

“They’re both keeping an extraordinarily positive attitude,” LaMotte says. “Kenny keeps joking around with me even in the midst of all this, and I find that really deeply inspiring.”

Murphy, for one, is confident that with advances in medical technology and the support of an entire community, her husband can overcome the incurable illness. “Kenny and I look forward to many, many happy years together, raising our family, running our businesses and loving our friends right here in Black Mountain,” she says.

Tickets for the event, which includes a raffle of donated items are available at whitehorseblackmountain.com for $22/$25 per person. All proceeds will help offset the expenses associated with Capps’ treatment. Direct donations to the cause can also be made at gofundme.com/kennycappsgofundme.com/kennycapps.

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About Kat McReynolds
Kat studied entrepreneurship and music business at the University of Miami and earned her MBA at Appalachian State University. Follow me @katmAVL

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