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Songs for Life

By Staff | Jun 7, 2013

Local band, The Rolling Coyotes hope to help 12-year-old Evan Frank bring clean water to South Africa.

An “Americana” band, comprised of song-writer Steve Warner, piano and accordion player Elliot Simon, and Andy Mosholder on bass and cello, will perform at a special benefit concert called “Songs For Life,” at the Shepherdstown Opera House this Sunday, June 9.

Evan Frank, a resident of Harpers Ferry, is raising money to build 100 clean water wells for communities in South Africa, as part of years of effort to bring clean drinking water to other kids.

“If you were born in these conditions, wouldn’t you want a helping hand?” he said.

Frank said he was inspired, at age eight, after a church service exposed him to the issues facing those without access to safe drinking water around the world. Since then, he has collected donations by trick or treating at Halloween, making baked goods and performing yard work and various odd jobs throughout the community.

“I just want to inform people,” he said about the cause he calls “One Well at a Time.”

The Songs for Life benefit show is just one of many efforts staged to help Frank raise money for the organization “Water for Life.”

Steve Warner said he became involved in the project after reading about Frank’s efforts in a local newspaper.

A long time song writer, Warner penned a song inspired by Frank for a songwriting contest called “Chords for Courage.”

Though his song did not ultimately qualify for the contest, Warner said he knew he wanted to share it with Frank and his family, calling Frank a “role model” for other kids.

“I knew I wanted to know this person,” he said.

“It’s turned into a wonderful relationship with both Evan and his parents,” he said.

Since then, Warner’s music has been incorporated into a special video, being shown at Sunday’s concert.

In addition to a night of performances by the Rolling Coyotes, Frank has been invited to give a short speech about his campaign.

To date, Frank has raised $30,000 and said each of the 100 wells he hopes to help build will cost about $4600 .

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening and all are welcome.

Tickets for the event are available online at www.operahouselive.com or at the door. All proceeds go to Evan’s project.

For more about the band, visit www.stevewarnermusic.com.