Sacred steel guitar hero Roosevelt Collier brought his stellar four piece band to the annual Purple Hatter’s Ball at Spirit Of The Suwannee Music Park for an uplifting set of songs that captured and elevated the memorial to a tragically fallen friend of the music scene. Collier’s sound has always inspired listeners to send their hearts and minds soaring, and with his set starting directly after the annual memorial butterfly release, the timing couldn’t have been better. After a short rain delay as storms rolled across the park, the event returned with a moving dedication by the family and friends of Rachel Morningstar Hoffman, whom the event was founded to honor.
All of this funky music was being made for the best of causes. The Purple Hatter’s Ball was founded to keep Hoffman’s memory alive and well. Though the story of her death truly is a tragedy, the way the community has rallied behind the efforts to ensure her fate never befalls another is one of the more moving stories in the festival world.
We’ve already shared great clips from Breaking Biscuits, Toubab Krewe and Southern Avenue, with clips from headliners Lettuce and Spafford on the way, but here’s two extended videos of Roosevelt Collier and pals playing to the sunset. So sit back, let the spirit move you, and—if you feel inclined—donate to The Rachel Morningstar Foundation.
Roosevelt Collier – “Big Jam”
Roosevelt Collier – “Closer”