Sometimes, the clichés really are true.
One heard every now and then is that the local music scene is like one big extended family (even if it is a bit dysfunctional at times). This becomes especially evident during times of crisis. It's always remarkable and touching how rapidly those who toil away in bars and clubs rise to the occasion, giving whatever they can -- time, money, good thoughts -- to those in need.
The outpouring of support for Spune Productions' Lance Yocom is just the latest example of how the local scene can band together to help one of its own.
Although I've refrained so far from writing anything about the situation out of deference to Yocom's family, I've kept tabs on what the native Texan has been going through this summer. The 33-year-old Yocom has been at the center of a harrowing, extended medical crisis since mid-July, when he suddenly took ill during a family vacation in Flagstaff, Ariz., and had to be hospitalized. He was heavily sedated for several days and given a tracheostomy as multiple doctors labored to discern what was wrong with the married father of three.
It was a shocking development, particularly given Yocom's age and status as one of the most energetic promoters in the local music scene. Spune Productions represents a handful of promising area acts, including Telegraph Canyon, Seryn and Doug Burr, and has a hand in booking a healthy chunk of clubs in Fort Worth, Dallas and Denton. To say that Yocom is a pillar of the local music community would not be an understatement.
Yocom's wife, Somer, has been keeping those of us in Texas abreast of daily developments on his CaringBridge Web page (caringbridge.org/visit/lanceyocom/journal); it has been an emotional roller coaster. The frustration and desire for a satisfying cure is almost palpable; your heart immediately goes out to Somer and her support system while they deal with a grinding experience that won't have a quick or easy resolution. Yet, the journaling seems cathartic for Somer: "We love you all so much, greatly value your precious guestbook posts, and appreciate all the prayers going up on our behalf," she wrote Saturday.
Or consider the deeply touching account of Yocom seeing his son for the first time in nearly a month: "Connor came with me to the hospital today and the nurses were gracious enough to allow him to visit his daddy," Somer wrote Monday. "Lance was so tired he could hardly open his eyes to see him but Connor didn't care a bit."
Lance has shown some improvement over the past few days, and if his condition continues to improve, he'll be home in the near future. To that end, the Yocoms' medical bills will almost certainly continue to mount.
But, again, the local scene has pulled together: The previously scheduled Seryn/Telegraph Canyon show has been turned into a benefit, and an impressive lineup, assembled by Fort Worth Weekly, including Calhoun, Kevin Aldridge, the Cush and Doug Burr, will perform at Lola's Saloon Sixth starting at 5 p.m. All door proceeds (a $15 donation is requested) as well as any donations collected will go toward covering Yocom's transportation back home, where he may have to enter a rehab hospital for an indefinite period.
