National Boxing Hall of Fame at Fundraising Event
A special benefit concert for Azusa’s Youth Boxing Program will take place THIS Sunday at the Route 66 Roadhouse in Azusa, Calif.
Presented by the City of Azusa and the National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF), this July 13 fundraiser will assist the boxing program for kids and teens. There will be a live performance from the popular Walking Phoenixes band (A Tribute to Johnny Cash and June Carter), line dancing lessons, an All-You-Can-Eat BBQ, an opportunity drawing, special guests, and more. And the proceeds will help the young amateurs in the Azusa Boxing Club.
There will not be any actual boxing matches at the fiesta but there WILL be plenty of rockin’ music and good times planned for the evening. Please note this event is 21 and over only!
The NBHOF President Bill Dempsey Young and Senior Vice President Linda Young and their son Executive Vice President/Producer Drewin Young are really looking forward to this partnership outing with the City of Azusa. They are also working on a future museum for the NBHOF too.
Linda mentions that a few fighters and champions will be joining the festivities. Invited guests include Danny “Little Red” Lopez, Paul Banke, Gabriel Ruelas, Rafael Ruelas, Albert Davila, Frankie Duarte and others. Many young amateurs got their start in Azusa and continued to find success in the pros like champ Zachary “Zack” Padilla (who even has a street named after him).
“Azusa is doing such a great job,” Linda tells me. “They are really taking care of the band and us too. Thanks for the City Council, Mayor Robert Gonzales and Recreation Director Miki Carpenter. Their support has been awesome!”
I also spoke with Drew Young as the big event nears. The singer/musician/filmmaker (“Sweet Magic”) lives near Nashville now and is happy to take part in this youth boxing benefit.
Drew says he and the Walking Phoenixes have not played together in over four years. But come this weekend, the rockin’ band will join forces once again for a great cause.
“We’re bringing the band back together,” he notes.
“I’m looking forward to all the camaraderie again. We speak one language–and that’s music,” Drew states. “It’s not divisive. Music brings everyone together no matter what your beliefs are!”
The Walking Phoenixes will have a very busy weekend with back-to-back concerts in Altadena on Saturday, July 12 and in Azusa Sunday, July 13. The city of Altadena is coping with the heartbreaking destruction of the Southern California wildfires and on Saturday, it will be good vibes and good energy celebrating the community hit hard by the fires.
It will be the communities coming together at two live music shows in the San Gabriel Valley. And it’s a one-two punch weekend for lead singer Drew Young. “I couldn’t say no to helping out these communities with both Altadena and Azusa.”
He and his fellow musicians will be traveling from Tennessee, Florida, Northern California and from nearby Los Angeles to get the crowd moving and grooving at the upcoming country concerts. Drew also mentioned that Kristal Lynn will be leading the line dance lessons so get your boots ready if you’d like to attend this fun bash benefiting Azusa’s Youth Boxing!
To purchase Azusa tickets (21 and over): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/walk-the-line-to-azusas-route-66-roadhouse-tickets-1419523445839
Poster courtesy of Drew Young/NBHOF