An array of musicians will gather at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern Friday night to pay tribute to Del Rendon, lead singer of The Puerto Rican Rum Drunks, who passed away last September.
In his honor, family and friends formed the Del Rendon Foundation, a nonprofit organization formed to raise money in order to start a scholarship program in Rendon’s name.
“Our goal is to raise $25,000 by May 2007,” Dark Horse Tavern owner Dave Hood said.
The foundation’s primary objective is to raise the minimum $25,000 needed to fund a scholarship in Rendon’s name. The scholarship will be available through MSU’s art department. Rendon acquired his bachelor’s degree in art and taught it as a subject at Starkville High School. The foundation is also continuing efforts to circulate his music and art.
Rendon was not only a familiar face on the stage at Dave’s, he was also Hood’s best friend.
“When he died last September, it was really hard to get something together for the family,” Hood said. “We waited for the right time, which is now.”
Hood said he plans to host benefits until the foundation’s goal is reached, but that funds are being raised through other means as well.
“[The foundation] has received donations by friends and family, and [The Puerto Rican Rum Drunks] CD and T-shirt sales benefit the fund,” he said.
Hood said Rendon was an inspiration to the Starkville community.
“Del’s tireless support of his fellow man and his commitment to make the lives of those around him better always set him apart,” Hood said in a statement.
The bands lined up to perform Friday include Hogleg, The Persians, Bill Cooke, Lee Grahm, Mark Goldbeck and Jimmy T.
“They were all friends of his,” Hood said. Many of the performers will cover songs written by Rendon, he added.
The bands are donating the $5 cover charge to the foundation, and additional donations will be accepted at the door.
For more information, visit the foundation’s Web site at www.delrendon.org. Music and art are also available on the site. For information regarding the event, visit www.davesdarkhorse.com.