Malcolm Collins; musician, organizer, humanitarian
The Boathouse 4 Boobies Breast Cancer Fundraiser is a huge event. Featuring 12 local cover bands playing to raise money for the Ellie Fund and the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk, the music event takes place each year at The Boat music and night spot in Dracut, Massachusetts. How does an event with 12 bands and a popular venue get off the ground and run smoothly each year. Since the second annual event in 2013, it has been organized by local musician Malcolm Collins.
Mugshot Monday; appearing at B4B
“My friend, Rosalynd, had started and asked me to help her book some bands because I was playing drums in two at the time, but knew many other bands,” Collins said. A popular, jovial figure on his local music scene, Collins has always had a ton of friends that play in bands. Having the right feel and the right timing behind all of his drum set pieces might have prepared him for the task.
“It turned out that I had a knack for it. It ran very smooth so I was asked to help the next year,” Collins said. “It was a six hour event back then, but it has become such a huge success that we expanded to a 12 hour, all day, all night event in the third year.”
Collin’s friend Rosalynd eventually moved on from the fundraiser when she relocated to Florida, so for the past five years, Collins, each year, assumed responsibility for organizing and managing the event. Collins enlisted what he calls “The Dream Team,” led by Lyn Dyer and Marlene MacEachern, to help with raffle and ticket selling. “They have proven invaluable.” Collins said.
With keen organizational skills and a heartfelt concern for people, Collins continued doing these events.
“Frankly, I’m good at it and I love helping people,” the drummer said. “I’m asked to put on multiple fundraisers over the course of each year, since I started with B4B, and I usually do six, eight a year.”
Sadly, The Boat, the venue that has hosted the annual event, will close down a month after this B4B, and the Dracut building will go up for sale. Collins said this year’s B4B lineup may be the best yet, with the area’s top cover bands playing.
“I look forward to it every year, but especially this year because it is the last one, at least at The Boat anyway,” he said. The first half of the event will be an all ages show while the second half will be for the 21+ crowd. The all ages half will feature bands Rich & Mean, Mugshot Monday, Category 5, Gypzy Freaks, Time Bomb, and Whiskey Tango. The 21+ half of the event will feature The Get Down, Bailout, 4 R Souls, The Far, Wildside, and Replica.
“They are all incredible players with years of history playing at The Boat’” Collins said. “High energy, highly entertaining. Some of them have played the event more than five times” over the years. Collins’ own band, The Get Down, are also on this Saturday night’s bill. The drummer, organizer, humanitarian gets a special feeling when he’s on stage during this annual event.
The Get Down; Collins’ band appearing at B4B.
“I love it,” Collins said. “I’ve played 12 out of the 14 years. Sometimes in more than one band. One year I played in five.” After The Boat closes its doors, many might wonder where the B4B fundraisers will take place in the future. It’s difficult for the organizers to speculate at this point in time.
“We’re trying to get thru this year, but we haven’t closed the door on future B4B’s. There are some other local venues that might work,” Collins said. The Boat provides a pro stage, sound and lighting, a giant dance floor. Their staff is experienced in these type of events.
4 R Souls; appearing at B4B
“It will be more work. We may need to shorten the event, lots of moving parts, but I’m hopeful we can work it out,” he said. There may never be an event as personal to Collins.
“I’m extremely glad and fulfilled with all the fundraising I’ve done but truly proud of what B4B has become,’ he said. “One of the top fundraisers in the area, true labor of love.” Collins has a personal connection to the event but he is mostly committed to these band events to insure every band gets a chance to play.
Malcolm
“I have lost family members to other types of cancer, so yes, to a small extent,” he said. “I mostly got on board from the music standpoint.”.
Whiskey Tango; appearing at B4B
“Playing in bands since the late 80s, I’ve played at many benefits that were poorly organized and for folks in bands, its really aggravating when you are donating your time and the event is 90 minutes behind schedule.”
It’s tough job and it takes a tough person to manage it. Collins had played events in which some bands are there and ready to go, but didn’t get to play because the event wasn’t organized well.
“I really wanted to do it right, keep it organized and on time,” he said. “Every band that has played in the 14 years, have been super great to work with.”
Sponsors include The Boat, The Bar, Attention To Detail, LLC in honor of Kerry Murphy & Flo Collins, Advanced Spa & Pool, American Wall & Patio, The Dream Team, Troy’s Moving & Storage, Amerikool, All Sports, The Misfits, The Staveley Family.
The October 18 B4B event begins 1:00 pm; The Boat; 291 Tyngsboro Road, Dracut, Massachusetts. $20 donation.
