GILBERTSVILLE /UCWE/ - Local original rock band “Not Alone” banded together with other regional acts to take part in the raising of nearly $10,000 for the American Red Cross Gulf Disaster Relief Fund including co-organizing and headlining Rock the Gulf, a concert held at the Gilbertsville Fire Company Social Hall on Saturday October 29.

Not Alone is comprised of brothers Tyler Schock (vocals/guitar) and Eric Schock (lead guitar/vocals) who were in Myrtle Beach, SC the Monday that Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast. They immediately knew the right thing to do and – together with band mates Rickey Rowland (bass) and Steve Zegray (drums) - they set the wheels in motion.

“Watching such a horrible event hit American cities was nothing we’d ever experienced before, of course,” said Tyler. “I guess we become a bit indifferent watching similar events occur in other countries, but when it hits home soil, it really wakes you up.”

At the time, the band was already scheduled to play a VH1 Save the Music fund raiser on the same date. Tyler contacted their management, Gilbertsville’s Impact Artist Promotions (IAP). “Our manager agreed immediately to change the fundraiser to benefit victims of the hurricane. IAP threw in a significant monetary contribution of their own and began working on the logistics,” he said.

IAP solicited the support of local businesses like Boyertown’s Media Fusion Technologies and others to cover all expenses associated with the event. In addition, the company gathered the support of regional major media outlets including billboards, cable TV, radio and newspapers to advertise Rock the Gulf to the masses.

“When IAP called and told us about Rock the Gulf, we were on-board immediately as primary sponsor,” said Darrell Kean, President and CEO of Media Fusion Technologies. “Like many area businesses, we had already sent a sizeable donation to the cause, but when we heard that the young men in Not Alone committed to raising thousands of dollars on their own, we were behind them. This is a time for us all to give what we can’t, not just what we can.”

According to Tyler, Rock the Gulf would not have been possible without the extreme generosity shown by Media Fusion Technologies, IAP, Bause’s Super Drug Store and other area businesses. “The goodwill of all business sponsors and the persistence and organization by IAP enabled us to donate 100% of the ticket sales to the American Red Cross which was very important to us,” he said. “Some independently organized charity concerts take the expenses out of the door proceeds and give what’s left to the charity. We wanted the people buying tickets to know that 100% of what they’re paying was going straight to those who need it”.

Other performers contributing their talents to Rock the Gulf included Jealousy Curve (Philadelphia) who went on to win the national Zippo Hot Tour contest, chic-rock sensation Mind Control (Federalsburg, MD) and guitarist Ernie Carletti (Elkton, MD). All tolled, Rock the Gulf raised $2,000 for the charity.

Additional hurricane relief concerts to which Not Alone donated their talents included Grape Street Philadelphia with 93.3 WMMR radio, West Pride Day at Boyertown Jr. High West and Bear Aid 2005 organized by students from Ursinus College.

Not Alone is signed to a producer’s agreement with Grammy nominated producer David Ivory (Atlantic Records) who is currently recording and shopping the band’s demo CD to Atlantic and other major labels. The band is touring the Mid-Atlantic region performing in venues from lower Maryland to New York City and receives regular radio play on commercial FM and Satellite stations in the United States and abroad. More information on Not Alone can be found by visiting notaloneband.com or by calling IAP at 610-473-7377. Additional information on IAP can be found at www.artistspromo.com. For Media Fusion Technologies information, visit www.gomft.com.