Concert to honor Rogers, Wagner

By Pam Eubanks
| 5:00 a.m. February 15, 2012

East County
News

MANATEE COUNTY — Only a few short months have passed since the lives of two East County teens were cut short in a tragic Christmas Day car accident.

Friends and family of Josh Jerome Rogers and Brett Daniel Wagner have kept them close to heart.

And friends, especially, now are trying to help families cope not only with their heartbreaking loss but also with the financial burden incurred by their deaths.

A group of friend have joined forces to organize the Josh Rogers & Brett Wagner Benefit Concert to be held from 4 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25, at Hunsader’s Rockin’ Ranch, 23810 53rd Ave. E.

Entry is $10 per person for individuals ages 13 and up; children 12 and under are free. Festivities include a bonfire, auction and raffles, food, mechanical bull riding and live music by Danny Toler, Whiskey Blind, Mumbo Jumbo and Tony Tyler, among other family friendly festivities.

“We’re trying to put together a family, community thing everyone can enjoy,” said Greg Golden, who is organizing the event with his family, Al Byczek and his family, Van Balam and Pete Hunsader. “All the money is going to (the families of Josh and Brett).”

Golden said T-shirts for the event, branded with Josh and Brett’s signature phrases, “I do what I want,” and “I’m kind of a big deal,” will be available for purchase, as will hats.

Golden could not say exactly how much the families incurred in medical and other expenses but noted some family members took time off from work after the accident, and bihourly CAT scans on Brett during his hospital stay cost $4,000 per scan, for example.

“All those things add up,” Golden said. “They have (other children). One-hundred percent is going to (the families), other than overhead.”

Golden knew Brett and Rogers, both 18, from coaching East Manatee Bulldogs teams over the years. The boys, he said, were loved by everyone and had been best friends since childhood.

“It’s a tragic event that happened,” Golden said. “(These boys) touched a lot more people’s lives than we probably give them credit for. They went to Lakewood Ranch, but the support of the kids has been from all the kids — Braden River, Southeast, Palmetto.

“It’s a sad situation, but I think something good will come out of it,” Golden said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

IF YOU GO
Josh Rogers & Brett Wagner Benefit Concert
WHEN: 4 p.m. to midnight Feb. 25
WHERE: Hunsader’s Rockin’ Ranch, 23810 53rd Ave. E.
COST: $10 donation per person for ages 13 and up
DETAILS: Event includes 50/50 raffle, auction, mechanical bull riding, live music, food for purchase and other activities. A drawing for the auction items will be held around 9 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win.
MUSIC SCHEDULE: Danny Toler (Faith Worship): 4-5:30 p.m.; Whiskey Blind, 6-7:30 p.m.; Mumbo Jumbo: 8-9:30 p.m.; and Tony Tyler: 10 p.m. to midnight.

LAKE MANATEE FISH CAMP BENEFIT BARBECUE
Lake Manatee also will host a barbecue benefit for the families of Josh Rogers and Brett Wagner. The event will include food, a silent auction, raffles, bake sale, music and more.