BoobStock 2013: A Thank You

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Each year we at 990WBOB work diligently and relentlessly to bring to the masses a charity show like no other. BoobStock is an event people have come to look forward to. A celebration of life. A time to remember what we have and forget about what we don't. And for most, an opportunity to give a little and receive a lot.

BoobStock started five years ago as a tribute to my dear mother. As a breast cancer survivor, she taught me the value of charity growing up. She instilled in me the spirit of giving back. And with those principals in mind I, along with my team, set out to help those women who were currently struggling with the disease. 

At first, we had no idea what to do. All we knew was whatever we did it had to Stand apart from the rest. We wanted to create a unique charity show that was more than a parade of guilt. A show that was more than a bunch a bands and a couple of dollars. An annual celebration intending on paying tribute to the one universal truth: Everyone loves boobs. Juvenile in theory, yes. However, am I wrong?

It is with that train of thought, no matter how idiotic it may sound, that BoobStock was born. "Music for a cause" we called it.  Featuring the latest and greatest in musical acts over the years, BoobSotck became legend. Each year we wowed our audience with new spectacles added to each show. Be it a celebrity photo wall, micro pigs, a pink carpet or even free limo tours around the city, We did it, and we did right. 

As the years have gone by, we have done more than we ever imagined. This year was no different. We set out to offer a more mature crowd an evening to remember. Held at Dusk, Providence's most intimate music venue, BoobStock 2013 offered a line up of truly solid acts. Sex Coffee was the headliner everyone was talking about. After a year absence away from the stage, the group (now with new members) returned to relevance among the elite with a solid representation. Torn Shorts showed the audience why they have received so much notoriety 2013. The Stilts (WBOB's 2013 Battle of the Bands Champs) rocked the Harris Ave club. Kait Clavette opened the night with an acoustic set that had the at-capacity crowd singing and dancing. Somewhere in the middle of all this great music came the boys form Satellites Fall. It was undeniable that they were the crowd favorite. Offering an electro alt rock sound, Satellites Fall had the eyes and ears of the crowd. 

Though music is definitely the part of the show everyone remembers most, what I guarantee none of the patrons are aware of is the amount of sacrifice and dedication it takes to get this show off the ground. From the musicians who sacrificed gigs, to the WBOB staff who put life on hold for this cause.  So much goes into this any event like this. For instance, host Kim Kalunian (of WPRO fame) braved the evening and elements even though at 7am the next morning she was being honored at another function. Terry Shea, her co host, took time out of his normally chaotic schedule to host and promote BoobStock 2013. Let's not forget the owner of Dusk ,Rick Sunderland. In all my years in the entertainment business, I have never worked with a genuinely nicer person. Rick's accommodations were second to none. Not only did he help us procure the date, he was naturally honored to be the hosting venue this year. 

Over the year's the sponsors have been instrumental in the success of this fundraiser. Narragansett Beer has been perhaps our biggest supporter. Supplying their time, beer, and gear. Although this year, Matt at Get Punched Attitude Clothing was perhaps the brightest of all sponsors. His donation and design of the 2013 BoobStock shirts was touching. The contributions of his efforts impacted our night greatly. I would be remissed if I did not mention Particular Pictures for once again providing quality professional photography for the evening. Thanks to all of our sponsors over the years including but not limited to Ethnic Concepts, Island Woods Performance, Anarchy Eyewear, & Econ Electrical.

Last, however far from least, I'd like to thank the best staff in the business. The crew at 990WBOB.com is always working to provide amazing entertainment for you. Yet when it comes to BoobStock, the entire staff works together to help the cause. From Joe Ferro's site management, to Rob Duguay's stage planning right on down to whatever it is Kevin Aherne does around here. To the valiant bracelet sales efforts of Kelley Bowman & Desiree Guerrero  I am truly proud to work beside all of them on this project. 

To conclude this gratitude fest, I must remind you of what we were doing all this for. The ladies at Pink Surance were the benefactors of this year's BoobStock donation. Pink-Surance exists to empower high risk women to be proactive with their breast/ovarian health. A class act organization. Their efforts to promote, and most importantly offer our audience a memorable evening was unbelievably terrific. Often charity groups and organizations are just awaiting an envelope. Not the case with Pink Surance. Marie Catherine was not only a pleasure to work with, she and her partner Marissa Levesque could not have been more congenial. They greeted each crowd member with a smile and a heartfelt thank you. That type of human graciousness makes it all worth while.


In summation thank you all. The staff at WBOB. The performers. Dusk and especially Pink Surance.