October 8, 2010

Featuring: Semisonic, Mason Jennings, Jeremy Messersmith, The Twilight Hours, The Hang Ups, and Two Harbors

Sound man Brad Kern's good works reverberate into a Friday benefit concert

“…Semisonic will reunite for only the third time in five years to assist Kern, 41, who was hit by a car July 11 while riding his bike in northeast Minneapolis. He suffered a fractured skull, collapsed lung and ample other damage, plus he lost three months of paychecks. The driver of the car fled and was never identified.

Friday's benefit concert at First Avenue will help pay some of the bills amassed by Kern and his family (two kids and full-time-mom Autumn). An impressive lineup of local favorites are showing their gratitude for their favorite sound man, including the Hang Ups -- also a rare reunion gig -- Mason Jennings, Jeremy Messersmith, Two Harbors plus Munson's other band with the other Wilson brother (the Twilight Hours).

"It's humbling, but it's also seriously saving my butt," said Kern, who only just started easing his way back to work two weeks ago, after doctors cleared him of a concussion and other lasting head trauma. "I'm healing better than Justin Morneau." - Star Tribune