Bozstock benefit highlights
Sunday (Oct 24) the Sea Shell in Beach Haven -- along with a host of Long Beach Island businesses, musicians, families, fans and friends -- united with heavy hearts to present Bozstock, a benefit for Pickles vocalist, keyboardist and manager Brian Bozarth, who died last month at the age of 37.
"I knew Brian for about six years with the band, but I was a fan even before that. He became one of my best, closest friends. He was always gracious, just one of the greatest guys you could ever hope to meet,'' said Pickles bassist Todd Raupp. "It's amazing and absolutely a testament to what kind of guy he was to see such an outpouring of emotion from so many people. It's so uplifting to see such a response.''
Acoustic entertainment for the benefit was provided by Fred Conley, Matt Fisher and Chris Frit and food was served up by Mud City Crabhouse, Chicken or the Egg, Fred & Ethels and Alchemy Catering. There event also included giveaways and special-item raffles that include a painting by artist Thomas Hazlett as well as a guitar. Proceeds from the benefit went to Bozarth's family.
Though Bozarth left without a goodbye, he leaves a telling quote on the Pickles' website that echoes Raupp's sentiment.
"I consider myself to be a lucky guy. I have everything I have ever wanted in life and more. I have a profession that many only dream of and friends that will be there with and for me till the end of time,'' he writes. "The Pickles are a band ... No, we are a family. Turtle, Lar and Boose are the best of friends to me and because of them, I am allowed to live out a dream and play music for a living.''
