Dead Dog Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees select charities to receive $1,000
Dead Dog Saloon gave the Grand Strand something to talk about when they packed the place on a sunny Sunday in January for the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductions.
Bil Krauss, The Mullets and honorary inductee Jay Hodge were the first to be honored at a ceremony that resulted from an idea to honor musicians who’ve graced the stage at Dead Dog Saloon in Murrells Inlet.
But what started off as Charlie Campbell’s “cute idea” didn’t end on Jan. 18.
The two winning musical acts were given the choice to choose a charity as the recipients of a $1,000 donation.
The checks, however, never made it to the mailbox.
They were hand-delivered instead.
Tidelands Community Hospice was the recipient chosen by the semi-retired local band The Mullets, which recently celebrated 31 years together.
“It feels good to play this long,” Bob O’Connor said on behalf of the group that’s “been around the longest.”
As for choosing the charity, O’Connor said the group was undecided for a while.
“Then we put all the names in, picked one and no one complained,” O’Connor said, explaining the idea to donate the money to Tidelands came from band member Russ Flack whose mother-in-law passed away not long before the winners were announced.
“My ex-wife’s mother had Alzheimer’s. I loved my mother-in-law and we always got along,” Flack said. “The last three weeks [of her life] were a good experience for the entire family because of [the care] provided by Tidelands.”
Citing their own mortality, “that’s the other thing,” O’Connor said. “None of us are getting any younger so it’s a good feeling to know they’re going to be there for us, too.”
The Mullets’ 31-year milestone was spent performing a Valentine’s Day show at Dead Dog Saloon, the place Flack and the other members of The Mullets agree is one of their favorite places to play.
Hugs for Horses was also a recipient of a $1,000 check that was turned into $2,000 after it was matched by a donor who requested to remain unmentioned.
Bil Krauss, an avid supporter, knew of Hugs for Horses, and his wife Elizabeth Krauss is the executive director at Georgetown County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs, which serves Hugs for Horses.
Hugs for Horses, a therapeutic riding program for children and adults with disabilities, is located at the Georgetown Equestrian Center in Georgetown.
Owner Rona Jacobs, also director, professional trainer and instructor, started the program in 1988 “and has been doing it ever since out of the goodness of her heart,” said Anne Marie Marozas, a volunteer at Hugs for Horses now for 25 years.
Marozas’ son Jason, 30, has cerebral palsy and began riding “at around age 5,” Marozas said.
An informational brochure provided by Marozas stated the Hugs for Horses Therapeutic Riding Program is committed to providing the physical, psychological and social health benefits horseback riding produces at a break-even cost to as many people with physical, intellectual and emotional disabilities as funding will allow.
Some of the benefits horseback riding provides for clients include increased muscle strength, improved balance, coordination along with promoting a general sense of well-being and fosters friendships and a love for animals.
To learn more about the benefits and services Hugs for Horse provides, go to www.hugsforhorses.org.
Dependent on grants and donations to maintain operational costs which are kept to a minimum, Marozas explained, the money received will be maximized and “put to good use,” Marozas said. “We are thrilled.”
Since becoming Hall of Famers, The Mullets have announced the first leg of their spring tour lineup, Bil Krauss remains in Key West where it’s warm, and honorary inductee Jay Hodge is likely still doing what he does as “the best sound guy ever,” according to Sweet Sweet’s Kerrine Gifford.
“Thought I had a cute idea here,” Campbell said about the inaugural event. “[Jan. 18] was a monster.”
It was also “a day of [non-monetary] riches that one can only dream of,” he added, expressing his gratitude to everyone involved.
Campbell announced on Facebook in the days following the event that the remaining nominees would reappear on the ballot when voting commences again in November 2015.
Campbell later confirmed that information in a telephone interview, explaining that the four acts nominated this past year that weren’t inducted would get at least three years to stay on the ballot before they were replaced, and each year two more nominees would be added.
“After that, well, I don’t know,” he said. “All the bands were worthy [of the honor].”
This story was originally published February 28, 2015 at 11:00 AM with the headline "Dead Dog Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductees select charities to receive $1,000."