Sacramento drummer Casey Lewis, AKA INKDUP, is both out of his mind and extremely generous, as evidenced by his upcoming 24-hour drum-a-thon challenge to raise awareness of Osteosarcoma (a form of bone cancer) and to assist with medical bills for his 15-year-old niece, Harley Jean Davis, who is undergoing chemotherapy for the disease. The drum-a-thon begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, in front of District 30. At 10 p.m. his drum riser will be rolled into the nightclub where DJ Oasis will join him for their monthly residency. “No breaks,” Lewis told Submerge of the 24-hour challenge, for which they had to get special permission from Sacramento Police Department to maintain a certain level of noise after hours. “For the full 24 hours at least one of my limbs will be going,” he said. Naturally Submerge had to ask, what about bathroom breaks? “My drum company, Crush Drums, built me an acrylic marching snare that’ll have a shoulder harness so when I have to go, I’ll put it on and keep one hand keepin’ the beat while I handle business.” OK, that may be a little TMI, but let’s remember that this whole thing is for a great cause. Harley’s family is dealing with huge bills, so to assist, Lewis set up an online fundraising effort through Giveforward.com and is also auctioning off autographed memorabilia from big-name friends of his. Lewis says he also has people “betting” that he won’t last the whole 24 hours. “The money that they will lose,” Lewis adds, “Is going in the fund.” After all is said and done, he hopes to hit $10,000. Lewis plans to have other “stations” for fellow percussionists and musicians to join in, if they so choose. “The more the merrier. I want it to be a complete circus of mayhem and drums!” Despite being in the middle of chemotherapy, as long as there are no complications, Harley’s hospital will allow her be there at the kickoff of the event. “I want her to see and feel all the love from the very large crowd I expect to be there,” Lewis said. “I know that energy will make her feel like a rockstar and lift her spirits.” You can visit Allaboutharley.com to learn more about Harley Jean Davis’ courageous fight with cancer.
-J. Carabba
Comments