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A group of Missouri State students answered tragedy with triumph over the weekend by holding a benefit concert in honor of their two friends who were recently killed in a car accident. KSMU's Nathan McVay has the story.
"They were two of the funniest you'll ever meet...You could always count on them...
They'll be missed..." These were some of the words used to describe Andy Schauer and Jared Gudde.
Schauer and Gudde lost their lives in a car accident September 5th. Cody Mobley was a good friend of both of them and says they were unlike anyone he ever met.
"Jared was always there, if you ever needed anything Jared was going to be there. Andy on the other hand was a big teddy bear, big mean teddy bear, tough guy on the outside and a cookie on the inside. And I am just really going to miss those two. They were a big part of my life, and you know... you just lose two of your friends."
After their death, J.R. Neal, a good friend of Mobley's, came up with the idea of hosting a benefit concert with all proceeds going to scholarships and the Schauer and Gudde families. Neal says he believes a concert was the perfect way to pay respect.
"It's really hard when you lose someone, because you think if you are to say something who has lost a loved one, it's almost empty words, You just have to be there for them, more of the principle of putting this together means a lot to the families, and that's all I cared about."
The concert was held Saturday at the Keyes Gallery in downtown Springfield. Local Band The Back Room Boys played along with MSU singing groups A-Cub-Bella and The Beartones.
By night's end, over 200 people had donated over 600 dollars to a concert that was completely organized by four MSU students: Mobley, Neal, D.J. Harvey and Kayshia Goodall.
Mobley and Neal say they were overwhelmed with the result and Neal says he loved every minute of the night.
"Seeing how everyone was happy to be there and enjoying the music and getting to visit with families and friends. It was really nice, it brought a smile to my face, I will say that"
Mobley and Neal say they hope to make the benefit concert an annual event.
For KSMU News, I'm Nathan McVay.
