It's been a damn good week, what with two landmark SCOTUS decisions (1, 2) that make it feel like we're living in the future — or at least a little closer. Times aren't quite as rosy for three familiar faces from the local rock scene: Beloved players Allen Thompson and Tommy Womack and longtime Exit/In doorman Kenny Highers are all facing tough situations. But there's good news yet: They've received an outpouring of support from friends in the community. Even better, you can help too.
East Nashville fixture Allen Thompson is the working man's bandleader, playing gig after gig after gig with his eponymous Band- and Grateful Dead-inspired group, as well as ace Dead tribute act The Stolen Faces (alongside Scene contributing editor Jack Silverman) — all while working a string of restaurant and bar jobs. After emergency surgery to repair a broken vertebra, Thompson faces a lengthy recovery, during which he can neither work nor play. Concerned friends have offered an outpouring of support. A who's-who of local musicians played a benefit show at The Basement East last Friday night, and he'll also receive proceeds from drink and food specials this Sunday, June 28, at his workplace, Five Points restaurant Tenn Sixteen. Watch the Facebook event for updates. If you can't make it out, Alanna Royale's Alanna Quinn-Broadus has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help offset Thompson's expenses. It's exceeded its goal, but donations are still welcome.
Tommy Womack made his way from Bowling Green to Music City with Government Cheese back when the fashion in Weekend at Bernie's seemed somewhat normal. In the decades since, the writer/sideman/frontman has become an institution, known for his wry songs and his ability to find the common ground in material as diverse as Tom Waits and The Clash. Last month, Government Cheese staged an outstanding reunion and released their first new album in 20 years; earlier this month, Womack's mother passed away. Not long after, Womack's car was hit by a truck, shattering his pelvis and rendering him immobile for many months to come. The campaign to help him through his time of need is going strong, but you can still contribute.
We've all dealt with the grouchy-ass doorman whose bark is as bad as his breath. If there's anyone who exemplifies his opposite, it's Exit/In's doorman Kenny Highers, who's gone out of his way to be downright nice to a never-ending parade of heshers, punks and tweaking EDM kids. Due to complications from diabetes, Highers has lost a portion of one of his legs. An update to a fundraising campaign organized by a friend indicates that he's doing well, but the road to recovery is long. If you have ever been, or claimed to have been, on a guest list at venerable Elliston venue, now's the time to give a little back.
