OCALA, FL (352today.com) – Hurricane Idalia forever changed Florida’s Nature Coast when the category 3 storm made landfall in late August leaving devastating damage in its wake.

The destruction left many families without a home. Others lost their livelihoods. The storm forced thousands of Floridians to start over from the ground up.

Estimates for the losses… in the billions. But for hurricane victims, the cost is immeasurable.

“When you drive through these areas, there’s places you look and you can’t tell there was a storm that came through, but what you’re looking at is a vacant lot where a house used to be,” said Craig Mikell. “There were a tremendous number of homes that were damaged beyond repair. They are either homeless or there are homes or so destroyed or messed up, there’s nothing normal about their life.”

Workers shovel mud out of the Prickly Palm after Hurricane Idalia flooded streets, homes and businesses in Cedar Key, FL, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Courtesy: Alan Youngblood/352today
Daniel Dickert wades through water in front of his home where the Steinhatchee River overflowed on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. Courtesy: Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP

Mikell witnessed the pain and suffering firsthand, and it weighed heavy on his heart.

“It really hit home… a lot of the folks with damage from the hurricane from Cedar Key all the way up to Steinhatchee,” said Mikell.

Hatching a Plan to Help
Mikell is in the insurance business and says he realized many of Idalia’s victims are uninsured and have no way to recover from the catastrophic damage.

He reached out to his buddy, Rob Hatch, a Dixie County native and country music singer/songwriter. Together the two developed a plan to organize a concert fundraiser.

“I’ve sort of named this the ‘person that doesn’t have any place to lay their head’ benefit,” said Mikell.

A group of Nashville artists quickly jumped on board donating their time and talent.

What started as a desire to help, has become the Friends of the Nature Coast concert which will take place on Thursday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Alachua County Agriculture & Equestrian Center in Newberry.

“This is a benefit concert, not a concert benefit,” said Mikell. “Every penny that we take in is going to be put in the hands of people that are virtually homeless right now.”

“We didn’t want to ask the people that have been hurt by the hurricane to have to come in and support it (concert),” said Mikell.

This is where Jeep Beach stepped in as the concert presenter. The nonprofit organization puts on an annual event in Daytona that has raised millions for charities. Mikell says Jeep Beach is helping support this concert from a technical and financial aspect. The Rex and Brody Foundation also agreed to be the event’s partner. They’ll distribute the funds raised to those in need.

Artists Lined Up
Mikell says that in addition to Hatch, several other successful singer/songwriters lined up to help. He adds that all of the artists are performing out of the kindness of their hearts, expecting nothing in return.

“We were overwhelmed by how fast this artist group donated their time and talents in support of the cause,” said Mikell.

The benefit concert has attracted these country music singer/songwriters to perform:

  • Lee Brice – Hits include “Memory I Don’t Mess With,” “One of them Girls,” and “I Hope You’re Happy Now”
  • Randy Houser – Latest single: “Cancel, ” released sixth studio album “Note to Self” on Nov. 11
  • Jerrod Niemann – Hits include “I got this,” duet with Lee Brice “A Little More Love,” and “God Made a Woman”
  • Rebecca Lynn Howard – Two-time Grammy winner who has written songs for Trisha Yearwood and Tina McBride
  • Lance Miller – Credits include Jerrod Niemann’s “Drink to That All Night,” Lee Brice’s “Beautiful Every Time” and Thomas Rhett’s “Beer With Jesus”
  • Rob Hatch – Hits include “Goodnight Kiss” recorded by Randy Houser and “I Don’t Dance” recorded by Lee Brice

Concert Details
Friends of the Nature Coast concert
When: Thursday, Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Where: Alachua County Agriculture and Equestrian Center, 23100 W. Newberry Rd., Newberry

There are two levels of tickets.
General Admission: $75
VIP: $5,000
VIP level tickets include ten tickets to the concert with a reserved dining table, two tickets to a meet and greet with the artists, VIP parking, 20 drink tickets with a selection of premium beer, wine and alcohol, and a catered buffet dinner. The VIP dinner starts at 6 p.m.

Volunteers Needed
Mikell says they are in need of volunteers to help the night of the concert. They are looking for 40 to 50 people to help with parking, check-in and food service. Volunteers will receive two concert tickets. If you are interested in volunteering, send an email to sign up.

If you unable to attend the concert but would still like to donate to help those on the coast, you can make a contribution here.