Dirty Blonde Delaney

Live At Phil’s, an Arlington music venue typically showcasing heavy rock acts, appealed for a wider audience Saturday night during the Rock Domestic Violence concert, benefiting the Carolyn Thomas Foundation.
The venue and nine local artists: Neverleft, Yung Rick, G-Munnie, Trade Cities, Mix Magyk, THEOLOGIAN, Edenschild, Allan McCarthy, and Dirty Blonde Delaney, all donated their time and proceeds to the foundation. Musical styles ranged from spoken poetry and hip-hop, to jazz-fusion and rock.
Horizon Community pastor David Rhea contacted the foundation after he reconnected with Carolyn Thomas through Facebook, having been friends with her since the sixth grade. Rhea served as the connecting bridge between the venue’s attendees and the foundation.
“We just don’t want to make this a one-time event,” said Rhea. “We want to get not only Carolyn’s voice heard, but others who can’t speak.”
“Each of us has a story that we can use to uplift each other,” said Trade Cities guitarist AJ Amyx. “I think that Carolyn’s story is very inspirational.”
The crowd appeared relaxed and comfortably displaced around the venue. Some sitting in cushioned chairs and others sat on the floor, like Pam Pickard, who prayed during Mix Magyk’s jazz-infused set.
Arlington natives Dean and Alicia Berman, owners of Hempley accessories and members of the band Neverleft, had a booth setup at the venue and donated proceeds to the foundation.
Alicia, who was abused by her ex-boyfriend and having grown up in a violent household where her mother was abused, said the concert hit close to home during a short speech during Neverleft’s set.
Arlington resident Brandon Ellis, performing under the pseudonym “G-Munnie,” rapped with Neverleft during his first benefit concert. Ellis also spoke about the other end of domestic violence – as a former abuser.
“I don’t think it’s a very good thing.” Ellis said, “I was on heavy drugs – it’s nothing to be proud off.”
- Arlington Magazine