The United Way of the Pioneer Valley is looking for a few good physicians to take the stage for a worthy cause. The 2nd Annual “Docs Who Rock” concert is scheduled for June 21 at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield. The event pits bands with at least one member who is a doctor living and practicing in Hampden...
The United Way of the Pioneer Valley is looking for a few good physicians to take the stage for a worthy cause. The 2nd Annual “Docs Who Rock” concert is scheduled for June 21 at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield.
The event pits bands with at least one member who is a doctor living and practicing in Hampden County, South Hadley, and Granby in a “battle of the bands” format all to benefit the United Way Community Fund.
United Way marketing and communications manager Debra Foley says last year’s event was a huge success.
“This was a great event for us,” she said. “The Majestic Theater donated the space, helped sell tickets and staffed the event. We raised over $10,000. Aside from the dollars raised, the tremendous visibility we received from the concert was invaluable to us and helped us reach a whole new audience.”
According to Foley, the original Docs Who Rock concert was held in Ohio in 2004 and the show has grown into a widely-recognized, highly successful event for United Way of Summit County (UWSC) in Akron. Originally conceived by UWSC Vice President Michael Gaffney as a way to encourage more interaction between the medical community and United Way, the show enables local physicians to show off their musical talents, either as solo acts or as part of a group.
One of the highlights from last year’s local version of the concert was eventual winning band called Suture Self, a group made up of mostly doctors from Baystate.
“They were very funny,” Foley said. “They came out in scrubs and masks for the first number, changed it up throughout. They were a crowd favorite.”
Foley also cited Dr. Linda Canty, Baystate doctor, who sang acappella.
“Very brave,” she said. “She was the first act out. She was wonderful. All of the acts jammed at the end. It was very entertaining.”
Foley said the United Way of Pioneer Valley is focused on education, financial stability, health, and the basic and emergency needs of our citizens.
The friendly competition invites all musical and solo acts of varying styles to sign up for the event. Applications are available online at uwpv.org or by calling Foley at (413) 693-0239.
“The winning act receives bragging rights and a very large, obnoxious trophy,” Foley said. “They seemed to love it!”