Pray For Dan Toler
This entry was written by “Lauren Mitchell.” Lauren is the lead singer with “The Lauren Mitchell Band,” based in Sarasota, Florida
I am lucky because I get to call Dan Toler my friend. I was fortunate enough to meet Danny about two years ago, through Mike Hensley, mine and Danny’s keyboard player, when we got together and jammed for an hour or so on some music Mike & I had been writing. Dan’s playing immediately inspired us both and took the song to another level. Since then, Dan and I have become great friends. I have had the opportunity to spend time with him one-on-one over lunch, joking and laughing so hard we’ve both ended up crying. I’ve been invited to play and record music with Dan in his home several times, and always leave feeling uplifted and like I’ve just come from a lesson at a “school of real life rock”. I have even been blessed to share the stage with him on a few occasions.
One of these occasions was this past weekend at a benefit in Dan’s honor held here in Sarasota. The experience was one I will never forget, and from the response I’ve received around town and via our Facebook band page, I don’t think that anyone else who was in attendance will either. Danny’s playing was as good as I’ve ever heard. Outstanding. Transcendent. There truly aren’t words to describe it. All I know is that when I sang with him, the crowd and the lights disappeared and he was the only other person in the space with me.
Part of the reason this moment was so special is because Dan was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) this past Summer. The concert was to help raise money for Danny’s medical and ALS related expenses. There were thousands of people who came out to support Dan and listen to the music, and several others who came to play. The performance roster read like a Who’s Who of Blues and Southern Rock, including names like Mike Kach, Dickey Betts and Great Southern, Tony Tyler, Sean Chambers, T.C. Carr, Bonnie Bramlett, The Outlaws, Artimus Pyle Band (Lynyrd Skynyrd), and Warren Haynes. It was a wonderful weekend full of joy and music. Not much could have made it better. Pastor John Grady (from the church Dan, Mike and I attend) even showed up to say a special prayer before the Dan Toler band played. Moving to say the least.
I guess what I’m getting at is this . . . Dan Toler is an amazing man. Period. Not to mention a world class guitarist. Please take a moment to check out the link below and donate if you can. And pray.
Please pray for my friend and his family. He needs that more than anything else.
Visit us on the web!
www.laurenmitchellband.com
November 21, 2011 at 11:40 am
Hey Lauren,
I have been praying for Dan, his family and friends(you and Mike Hensley included) since I was guided to attend his benefit a week ago Sunday. I’ve said prayers of thanks for you mentioning it during your Pier 22 performance and all the reminder posters I kept encountering about it on Sunday. I got the hint, found the ranch in hopes of helping someone you cared about and was blessed way more than I could give. It was like all the southern rock concerts I never got around to attending but always wanted to, all rolled into one great event. On top of it I got to see and hear you and Mike perform with Dan. Even the Outlaws didn’t get to perform with Dan as he was too tired that late in the evening.
By the way, Dan is a fellow Hoosier, I grew up in a similarly small town about an hour north of Connersville. I honestly didn’t know of Dan before attending the benefit but certainly knew his music. His face was beaming when you were up there singing.
May God continue to bless you and Mike for sharing your gifts to help Dan. Also for planting the seed so I got around to attending. You get kudos from me too for helping out another small town boy from Indiana.
I’ve got a small token of appreciation I’d like to give you and Mike next time I see you. I’ve dubbed it the “Dangerous Dan Toler Artist Appreciation Award”. I was going to give it to you both at the Ellenton Steak House opening. I left earlier than planned as the hostess was rightfully giving me the evil eye for occupying a table for quite awhile. No worries, their goal was to turn over tables and mine was to hear the two of you and both goals were attained. I’ll catch up with you sooner or later.
Regards,
Thonotosassa Mike