Jeremy Hicks Music Festival returns February 3 to continue a good fight

Jan. 25—The memory of Jeremy Hicks lives on through the gift of music.

From 2014 through 2018, the Jeremy Hicks Music Festival was held in Somerset to help raise money for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. — a place that did a lot for the family and young Jeremy and his battle with cancer.

Now, the event will return on Saturday, February 3, at 4 p.m. with a full line-up of local and regional performers, making music for a great cause.

The story of the Jeremy Hicks music festival begins in August of 2005, when 12-year-old Jeremy was diagnosed with a central nervous system tumor — anaplastic astrocytoma, Grade 3. He would pass away on July 9, 2006.

"Since there was no cure for his cancer we went to St. Jude in hopes that their treatment would give him the best chance of surviving," said father Joe Hicks, an area anesthesiologist. "Jeremy's wish was that if he didn't make it maybe they could learn from him so no other child would have to go through what he did. After he lost his battle, his mother and I tried to honor his memory by doing things to support the hospital and the other children still fighting their battle."

One thing that made a lot of sense to Joe was a music festival. Joe plays in a band and has friends that are also active in the regional music scene, along with childhood buddy Danny Davis, who owns and operates Pro Video Audio Productions in Monticello, which does concert and festival productions all over the country, including here locally for Master Musicians Festival.

After establishing the event as a popular local musical showcase, in 2019, life and scheduling difficulties prevented the Jeremy Hicks Music Festival from being held. Then Covid-19 hit in 2020, and the festival joined so many other anticipated events in not taking place.

"We were not sure when to start gathering crowds again," said Joe. "Then (in the) fall of 2023, it all felt right to start again. After talking with Danny and The Center for Rural Development to secure a date for the event, it all seemed to be the perfect time to start again!"

Joe said there has been a lot of interest in seeing the event return — and since the announcement was made that it would be held this year, he noted being "surprised and blessed" by the reaction.

"Every year since we stopped the festival in 2018 we have been approached about when it was going to return," he said. "... It is such a blessing to have people ask about something so special to us."

Joe described Jeremy as "a real son, brother, cousin, grandchild and member of our community" — the same community that Joe now hopes will come together again for the sake of St. Jude.

"He was a good kid, student and was taken from us too soon," said Joe. "... He lives on through the festival and all of us sharing his story. All of those attending, performing, the kind donors, and those working to make the festival what it is honors him! They support St Jude Children's Research Hospital by giving their support for which we are eternally grateful for! And in doing so we all come together to help save the lives of children battling cancer."

This year's event hosts what Joe Hicks calls "a formidable group of talented bands with a tremendous regional following." They include Zella May (which play at 4:15 p.m.), Travis Harris (5:30 p.m.), Rapid Transit (6:45 p.m.), Borrowed Blue (8:15 p.m.) and Gravel Switch (9:15 p.m.).

"From the classic country sounds of Travis Harris to the hard rocking group Gravel Switch we are covering a wide range of music," said Joe. "Zella May is a group you won't forget and their take on great rock tunes by artists like Guns N' Roses and Ozzy (Osbourne)."

Rapid Transit is the band that Joe plays bass with, a "classic rock cover band from Monticello ... made up of my lifelong friends."

Also, "Borrowed Blue made a name for themselves in just recent years playing in the area and joining national acts playing festivals all over this part of the U.S.A."

Joe said that those attending the festival will enjoy a family friendly event, with food and refreshments available and a silent auction featuring "some great items" Any money spent on food or on a bid on any item will go entirely to St. Jude.

There will also be opportunities for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with the bands.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children under 10 years old. Tickets can be obtained at Main Street Book Store in Monticello or at The Center for Rural Development Box Office (606-677-6000). You can also contact Joe Hicks directly through "The Jeremy Hicks Music Festival" Facebook page, or buy tickets at the door on February 3.

Joe Hicks will never forget how well St. Jude cared for Jeremy and how hard they fought to save his life. Holding the Jeremy Hicks Music Festival is something he can do to help give back — with this community's help.

"Knowing that Jeremy lost his battle with cancer and has been replaced now at St Jude Children's Research Hospital with more children who are fighting just as hard, we have to try for them," said Joe. "This is one avenue that we along with generous sponsors and the kind folks that attend the festival or make a donation know we are giving them a chance to receive the same great world class care Jeremy received there."