Other than having a station centered around Jersey artists , two things that come to mind when thinking about BlowUpRadio include the annual Banding Together benefit for Spondylits Association of America and your live shows like New Years Eve . The first benefit for the Spondylitis Association of America ( SAA ) was 13 years ago , and was not even billed as “ Banding Together ”. It was a 3 day music festival at Buddie ’ s Tavern , and came together quite quickly . A few months before the first benefit my wife had been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis , after over a year of doctors trying to figure out why she was always in so much pain . For those unfamiliar , Spondylitis is a genetic rheumatoid arthritis condition that causes fusion of the bone and great pain in the spine and ribs . People can find out more about the condition and the SAA at www . spondylitis . org .
One of the worst feelings in the world is watching a loved one in pain and being powerless to do anything useful to make it better . When my wife was diagnosed with Spondylitis and she started using the SAA as a valuable resource , I realized I may not be able to directly help my wife , but I can help the SAA . I know a lot of musicians , and I ’ ve done benefit concerts in the past , here is something I can do that is productive and I ’ ll feel like I ’ m not completely powerless to the situation .