TULSA, Okla. — A night of live music is helping support a larger mission in Tulsa.
GRAND Mental Health is hosting its inaugural Battle of the Bands benefit concert on Friday night, bringing together local musicians and the recovery community for a 100% sober event aimed at supporting addiction recovery services across Oklahoma.
The event will take place at the Gateway Event Center in downtown Tulsa.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with music set to begin at 6:15 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online or at the door.
FOX23 has previously reported on GRAND Mental Health’s outreach and recovery services for people facing mental health crises and addiction.
Organizers said this event creates a new way for the community to support that work while also celebrating recovery.
“This is one example of why Tulsa is such a great community,” explained Lynn Hernandez of 103.3 The Eagle, one of the event’s radio partners. “The music community gives back to the community, which gives back to everybody else who is in need of services like this.”
According to GRAND Mental Health leaders, the idea started with one employee’s vision and quickly grew into something much larger.
“This was created by a staff member of ours who just decided this would be really cool to celebrate the recovery community,” said GRAND Mental Health Chief Experience Officer Tricia Walters. “We took his idea and blew it up into what is going to be the most epic night GRAND has ever seen.”
Five bands connected in some way to GRAND Mental Health services will compete for cash prizes during the event.
Featured bands include local acts like Why Bother and Kick’d Hopeless, along with cover bands including Blacker Sabbath.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity to give back to the community,” shared Jordan Westbrook, the Adult Services Vice President with GRAND Mental Health. “We play a lot of music and we don’t get a chance to do anything that contributes positively to society, so we’re really excited to get to do that.”
Organizers said the event is also intended to celebrate people in recovery and the stories behind them.
Walters said, “If you have ever been touched by or adjacent to a person in recovery, they’re the most beautiful people you’ll ever meet. The stories they share, the energy they give, the life that is renewed in recovery, so to be here with a room full of them is just going to be incredible.”
Special guest judge Josey Scott, the original voice of the band Saliva, will also be part of the competition.
Organizers hope the community turns out to support both local musicians and the recovery services the event benefits.
“Come out…to help support GRAND Mental Health and these bands,” said Hernandez. “They’re hoping you come out and cheer them on. It’s a battle of the bands!”
To learn more about the concert or to buy tickets, click here.