Music community gathers to remember radio DJ

DOWNEY - The Milky Way sparkled over the venerable Columbia Memorial Space Center on Oct. 21 when the entertainment and rock community gathered to celebrate the life and career of veteran rock radio DJ Tawn Mastrey, who died in 2007.The Minnesota-born on-air personality that helped ignite so many high volume campaigns during her nearly three decades on the radio was remembered by a colorful cast of characters committed to raising awareness for Hepatitis C, the disease that took her life. A robust silent auction raised funds for the Tawn Mastrey Foundation, the organization founded by Tawn's sister, Cara, devoted to stopping the spread of Hepatitis C. In her remarks, Cara thanked Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, for his words of encouragement, and Patrick Gurrola, who organized the event. Cara's daughter, singer and songwriter Xaria Rose, performed a passionate set of rock classics with guitarists Dean Williams and Keli Raven. Other notables in attendance were Hollywood Reporter's Dianne Bennett, rock journalist and author Lonn Friend, musicians Carlos Cavazo, Robert Sarzo, Alan Krigger, Lanny Cordola, Nadir D'Priest, Ralph Reickerman, Simon Daniel and Chas West, vocalist Neil Turban, K-NAC's Rebecca McLaughlin, DJ Mike Stark, songwriter Skip Stanley, Allied Artists CEO Kim Richards, publicist Monica Wild, actor Matthew Harrison and journalist Adriana Rubio. Veteran rock photographer and author Neil Zlozower donated dozens of signed books and Canter's Deli owner Marc Canter provided a festive array of delicacies.

********** Published: December 20, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 36