I thought I'd post this for prayers and hope, I asked Mike to forward me the INFO on this to help spread the word about this benefit. He works at Cerritos College WPMD (where people make-a difference) internet radio.
Tawn Mastrey Benefit and KNAC-FM "On Air" Reunion scheduled for July 28th
(June 20, 2007) Tawn Mastrey is fighting to stay alive. Tawn worked at KNAC/fm from 1986-89 and then was part of Scott Shannon’s Pirate Radio, KQLZ. “She suffers from Hepatitis C. and is in need of a liver. She recently quit her job at Sirius radio due to her health," according to Tawn’s sister, Cara Mastrey. She is spearheading a fund raiser for Tawn, who has no insurance.
“Back in October of 1989 when I started my time at KNAC/fm, Tawn Mastrey followed my first shift as Pure Rock Talkback host. I wanted to let her off the hook in having to do a lengthy ‘crossover’ with the ‘new guy’ between shifts, but she wouldn't have it,” emailed Mike Stark. “She wanted to know all about this new ‘family’ member and wanted the audience to know as well. She made me feel welcome and part of a culture that I was just getting to know.”
Tawn was known as "the Leather Nun" who became a legendary figure in the metal scene. “She ‘represented’ the metal culture in the 1988 Penelope Spheeris film, Decline of Western Civilization 2, while, from 105.5 KNAC, played, promoted and partied with some of the biggest names in metal music. Tawn and a small handful of others at KNAC/fm were ‘heavy metal.’ The rest of us just worked there.”
"I have taken upon myself to do a major fundraising charity concert for Tawn's operation and hospital bills. She has no health insurance,” wrote Tawn’s sister. “Benefit concerts are being planned and further info will soon be available at TawnMastreyBenefit.com [as of this writing that site is not up yet].”
Besides KNAC and Pirate Radio, Tawn also worked at Classic Rock KLSX, KMEL-San Francisco, KSJO-San Jose, KUFO- Portland, and KXXR (93X), Minneapolis
Rock & Rap Confidential, Editor, Lee Ballinger says of Tawn: "I know firsthand that Tawn Mastrey was a key promoter of the metal scene at a time when it was under vicious attack from Democratic and Republican politicians alike. Please help if you can."
A on air reunion of KNAC-FM personalities that worked with Tawn will take place on July 28th, on WPMD.org between 11am and 1pm (pacific time) (times may expand as this event grows). So far scheduled to appear are: Thrasher (the longest surviving morning man at Pure Rock KNAC-FM), Stew (now production genius at KLOS-FM in LA), Gregg Steele (now Senior Director of Music Programming for Sirius Satellite Radio), Mike Stark (now a producer with the Tom Joyner Morning Show), Razor (now at Big 105.9 in Florida), Remy "The Max" Maxwell (now at remymaxwell.com), Craig Williams (host of the KNAC Pure Rock Local Show) and Jack Trash (currently host of "The Hair Appointment" radio show). This list will grow as refugees from the great Pure Rock 105.5 KNAC can be located. Also, in studio will be "The Insane" Darrell Wayne former KROQ air personality and program director.
A benefit show for Tawn will also be held that same night at the Martini Blues in Huntington Beach. More info to follow on that event as well.
A local musician/film make/animator named Robbie Robfogel (robbie@oceanvisualfx.com) is spearheading the benefits and setting up the website to take donations. He has been of great "emotional" help to Tawn because he went through the same situation she is in right now. He told me he's back "10,000%" after receiving a new liver and works hard with Donate Life America, formerly the Coalition on Donation, founded by the transplant community in 1992 to educate the public about organ, eye and tissue donation and avoid duplication of effort.
Feel free to distribute this information.
Thanks,
Monte