Famous recording artists, bands to headline August Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival

A musical lineup headlined by national award-winning musicians is expected to draw a crowd of thousands to the inaugural Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival Aug. 19 in Carson City.

That's why The Last Respond Fund, a nonprofit organization established locally by Carson City resident Don Alexander and other community members, secured Battle Born Harley Davidson in Carson City as the event's venue.

“They were right on board with this all the way,” said Alexander. “It’s a perfect location for a professional stage, right off the freeway and has enough space for thousands of people.”

Organizers said they hope to attract at least 5,000 people to the day-long event. But they are preparing for double that amount because of the caliber of performers who have already committed to the benefit concert, a fundraiser for the children of fallen Carson City Sheriff's Deputy Carl Howell.

Several well-known national, regional and local performers are on board with the festival, including headliners Ty Herndon, the band Rednex, and reggae artist Prezident Brown.

Herndon, a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning recording artist, hit the country music scene by storm in 1995 with "What Matters Most," his first of three No. 1 singles recorded between 1995 and 2002. Herndon has recorded numerous Top 10 hits on the country music charts over the years.

Country Electronic Pop band Rednex has been featured on the music charts for over two decades, recording a dozen Top 10 hits and selling more than 11 million records, including “Cotton Eye Joe,” their first release. Rednex is uniquely in its own homemade genre.

Prezident Brown, selected as the "Most Conscious Artist" by the Jamaican Federation of Musicians, combines Jamaican reggae, hip hop, and tribal genres into his music to create a unique and popular sound.

Additional music acts committed to the Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival include soul funk artist Trey Stone, classic rock band AudioBoxx, mixing artist Steve's Rockin' DJ, acoustic artist Canyon White, country and rock band Southbound Train, rock and funk band Stereo Galaxy, power pop group Xing Bridges, blues and rock band Moz's Motley Blues, Musicole with Michael Coleman, acoustic group Giants of Zen, and classic rock band Voodoo Cats.

The first-ever summer festival will also feature celebrities and other entertainers, including Las Vegas comedian and Larry the Cable Guy impersonator Tom Daw as well as Hollywood film and television actor Patrick Kilpatrick, the event's master of ceremonies.

The Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival takes place just days after the second anniversary of Howell's death.

Howell, a nine-year veteran of the Carson City Sheriff's Office and a former United States Marine, was responding to domestic violence call in East Carson City early in the morning on Aug. 15, 2015. He was killed in the line of duty protecting the victim and his fellow officers from a suspect's bullet.

Howell left behind a wife and four children, who since then have been the recipients of an outpouring of support from the community.

The August music festival is the latest effort to ensure Howell's children are provided for.

Tickets for the concert are $20 per adult. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets will be available for purchase at several Carson City retailers, including Battle Born Harley Davidson, A to Zen, Hydra’s Lair, Retro Replay, Battle Born Ammunition, and also through any Last Response Memorial Fund board member.

Festival sponsors include the Gary Sinise Foundation, Zadra Design, the Law Office of Daniel J. Spence, A To Zen, K-BULL 98.1 FM, the Carson City Gold Dust West Hotel Casino, Hydra's Lair, Smith's Food and Drug, Retro Replay, Battle Born Ammunition and Firearms, RATS Medical, Black Rifle Coffee Company as well as Battle Box Survival and Tactical Gear.

Besides Hollywood film actor Sinise, best known for his role as Lt. Dan Taylor in the movie "Forrest Gump," contributions to the festival have also been made by television and film star Joe Mantegna — The Godfather III, and TV shows Criminal Minds and The Simpsons — who contributed autographed material for a silent auction and made a personal video to Howell's family. Also TV actor Dennis Chun has contributed to the Festival. Chun known for his role as Sgt. Duke Lukela on the remake of Hawaii 50 is the son of Kam Fong Chun, a 16 year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department before being cast as Chin Ho Kelly on the original Hawaii 50 TV series.

Volunteers are needed in areas of security, pick-up and cleanup, stage hands, maintenance, ticket takers and more. To volunteer or donate contact Don Alexander at 775-400-0126 or email him at don@rememberdeputyhowell.com.

To learn more about the Carl Howell Memorial Music Festival, and for a list of board members, go online to rememberdeputyhowell.com.