The 17th Annual Rick Epting Foundation for the Arts Fundraiser will be held Saturday, August 19th, at The Heart of Anacortes. Doors will open at 5pm with The Savage Blues Band taking the stage at 6pm. This year’s gala event is honoring local muscian John Savage who founded the Savage Blues band and died in late 2019. The first hour will present recordings of John’s music and provide an opportunity for friends to remember John.
This event will raise money for REFA’s scholarship and grant programs and guests will be able to bid on a variety of live auction items donated from area businesses and individuals.
The Savage Blues Band was founded by the late regeional musical legend John Savage in 2005. It included a pair of John’s Mount Vernon High School classmates, Kim Westenhaver and Ken Morrison. The roots of this band go back to the late 60’s when these three formed a garage band. John went on to be a standout professional musician and music educator with proficiency on guitar, keyboards and bass.
The three friends runited in 2005 as Johnny & the Moondogs, a classic blues band, which also included one of John’s guitar students, Jeff Stady. In 2003, John’s talented son, Tom Savage, joined the band playing blues harp and guitar. In 2018, the band was renamed to Savage Blues Band and it’s popularity continued to grow. Sadly, in December 2019, the band lost it’s leader and beloved friend, John, to cancer. Before he passed, he urged the band to continue to showcase the blues. John’s son, Tom, has taken on the leadership of the band and it’s on a “mission from John”.
Come out for a night of musical fun and support the arts at the same time!
