A benefit was hosted at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, NY for the late “Big Joe” this past weekend. For those who don’t know “Big Joe,” he was a beloved member of the music community in Upstate, NY and was also head of security for Adirondack Independence Music Festival that takes place annually in Lake George, NY every year. Prior to the benefit, Dave Ehmann had the following to say:

We lost Big Joe Shea, an ADK Music Fest Crew crew and family member last month.
Joe was more than just our Head of Security, he was my best frend whom I considered my brother. I grieve the only way I know how…I’m throwing him a kick ass party to celebrate our love and all the years of great times together as well as raise some funds for his family. For those of you that don’t know, the family was not only dealing with losing Joe, but at the same time, his youngest brother Franklin was in the hospital fighting for his life as well. Happily and thankfully after an extended battle, Franklin survived and is on his way to recovery but has a long road ahead.
What this family has been through in the last month is unimaginable and in-comprehensible to all.

The benefit featured an acoustic set from Madison VanDenburg, who recently finished third on American Idol this past year along with two sets from Rock and Roll cover band Dashboard Anthem. Check out photos from the benefit for Big Joe below:

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