Famous Vt. Singer Helps Irene Recovery

(NECN: Jack Thurston, Warren, Vt.) - With her music, Grace Potter is bringing a little extra beauty to a region that's seen so much sadness.

"Vermont will so be back!" she pledged.

In the performer's native Mad River Valley, there's still a lot of work to do six weeks after Tropical Storm Irene swallowed parts of downtown Waitsfield.

Her old hangout spot, The Green Cup, is now empty. We visited her there just a few weeks before the storm hit. "This is my favorite spot," she told NECN on Aug. 16.

So for The Green Cup and for homeowners whose lives were turned upside down by Irene, Potter put together a silent auction and a pair of fund-raising concerts. "It's my duty, really, in a lot of ways," she said.

A rare solo set at the Sugarbush Resort brought in more than 150 fans paying at least $1,000 per seat, with the proceeds going to the Mad River Valley Community Fund.

 "It is good to have an event like this with someone famous who can draw in some people," said fund director Mark Grosby.

The solo show was a lot more subdued than the rock feel Potter's best known for.

Those "rock and roll freak outs," as she and her band, The Nocturnals, call them, were on display at another flood relief concert Sunday night at Burlington's famous Flynn Theater. It was broadcast statewide on Vermont Public Television, and on VPT's website. Those "Goodnight Irene" broadcasts could help the musicians' total top $400,000.

 "We've been speaking to community funds around the state to make sure it goes to all the right places," Potter explained.

The Hollywood Records recording artist even penned a new tune called "Mad, Mad River" inspired by the Mad River jumping its banks. In it, she sings of the severe damage and the heartbreak, but also of her plucky hometown's bright future.

The song's refrain contains the line "there's hope in the Valley," and for Grace Potter, it rings true. She is confident her next song will be one of celebration for her neighbors.

The online benefit auction runs until Sunday. To check it out, visit the website of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

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