Proud Larry’s Hosts Inaugural “Concert for Critterz” Fundraiser for Animal Shelter

By Carson McKinney
Hottytoddy.com intern
cqmckinn@go.olemiss.edu

Proud Larry’s will host its first-ever “Concert For Critterz” event to raise money for the Mississippi Critterz animal shelter in Oxford. The show will take place Thursday, Aug. 15.

Southern Groove Redemption, Silas Reed, Keith Sanders and Bill Perry will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Photo provided.

Southern Groove Redemption, Silas Reed, Keith Sanders and Bill Perry will perform from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sponsors include Proud Larry’s, Better Brands Distributing Co. and Tito’s Vodka, who will be donating to Critterz an amount equal to the total amount of money earned that night.

Mississippi Critterz volunteer Mike Watkins put together the event with help from his musician friends in the Oxford community.

“Keith Sanders and I ran into each other on the Square, and I had one of my foster dogs,” Watkins said. “We just started talking about the volunteering we’ve been doing, and I asked him if he’d be down for doing something. He said he’d love it, then I got in touch with Bill Perry and Silas Reed and Southern Groove Redemption, and they were all down to do it. It just came together; that’s what I love about Oxford.”

Zechariah Lloyd Tillotson, lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Southern Groove Redemption, told Watkins “absolutely” when asked to perform at the Concert For Critterz.

“For Southern Groove Redemption this is our first fundraising event, but we are all about supporting a great cause and excited about being able to participate,” Tillotson said.

According to Mississippi Critterz Board of Directors Member Bekah Chapman, Critterz wanted to do a music event for a while before Watkins organized the event and now hopes the Concert For Critterz will raise money and awareness of her organization.

“We want people in Oxford and Lafayette County to know about the work we’re doing and that our mission is to provide a safe place for every homeless animal in our community,” Chapman said. “Our desire is to build our foster and volunteer base and to continue to raise the funds we need to do the hard work that we’ve committed to doing. We have big plans and lofty goals and we’re looking forward to achieving those goals with the help of our community.”

Tickets for Concert For Critterz will be available for $5 at the door at Proud Larry’s, and donations are encouraged.