Raffle

Raffle tickets will be available until Friday September 6th, 2024, with the winner being announced Saturday September 14th, 2024, at the Mohican Bluegrass Festival.

Once the winner is announced and contacted arrangements will be made for delivery.

Russell Moore, Wayne Benson, Keith McKinnon, Colton Baker, Nathan Aldridge, Danny Roberts, Kristin Scott-Benson, Gibson Davis, John Bryan, Terry Smith, Jamie Johnson, Jamie Harper, Ben James, Mike Sumner, Dan Eubanks, Greg Blake, Greg Cahill, Michael Prewitt, Lorraine Jordan, Mike Mitchell, Tina Adair, Tim Shelton, Caroline Owens, Spencer Strickland, Kody Norris, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, Charlie Lowman, Josiah Tyree, Seth Mulder, Andrea Roberts, J.M. Clifford, Lauren Price-Napier, Scott Napier, David Benedict, Tabitha Benedict, Caleb Cox, Stephen Mougin, Starlett Austin, Big John Talley, Ned Luberecki, Alex Leach, Caleb Bailey, Benjamin Luckhaupt, Titus Luckhaupt, Larry Stephenson, Stephen Burwell, Eli Johnston, Jerry Cole, John Meador, Carson Peters, Tim Stafford, Daniel Grindstaff, Nick Dumas, Tianna Lefebvre, Mike Sanyshyn, Charlie Frie, Chris Jones, C.J. Lewandowski, Tristian Scroggins, Nick Chandler, Kristy Cox, Rick Faris, Danny Paisley, Barry Abernathy, Seth Taylor, Aaron Ramsey, Maddie Dalton and Tom Gray

“I will never forget the day we were told the treatment (radiation and chemo) was not working, the cancer was not shrinking, and it was time for hospice care”. That is an emotional memory that Diana has of her loving husband that passed in Feb of 2023. For all the not-so-great memories, there are many more positive and loving memories that Diana gets to hold dear to her heart. Her husband, David Vaughn, battled stage 4 lung cancer but is remembered by family/friends more than cancer.

David was born in Raleigh, NC and raised in Greensboro, NC. At the young age of 17yrs old, David joined and proudly served the US Coast Guard for six years. Throughout his life David learned how to play and share music by playing the guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, dobro and bass. Finding a “home” in Ohio, the skill and talent of playing many instruments allowed him to join and play music with many bands. As many people do, David started playing in a church gospel group, then he joined Darrell & Friends at the Homerville Community Center (Homerville, OH), the Abbe Road Jammers in Elyria, OH, played with Calvary’s Path for a while and then finished his band years with The Sunnyside Gospel Singers.

David loved every minute of family time throughout his life – easily said, David was a FAMILY MAN. David always made Diana feel loved, all needs/wants provided and like a princess every day. “He was a loving, sweet, gentle soul, had a big heart and great sense of humor” is exactly how Diana described him. During the last few months, David was fortunate and grateful that his kids and grandkids were able to come and visit. Those special moments will be treasured by him and his family for years to come. If it wasn’t for the awesome help of Hospice care, the time at home would not have been as manageable or comfortable. Diana is so thankful of the Hospice caregivers/nurses.

Family was David’s love – music, you could say, was his passion. David had music in his life as much as he could, he even had a Bluegrass Wedding theme. Finding the perfect size camper, David and Diana were set to enjoy all the Bluegrass Festivals even more. His favorite festival was the Mohican Bluegrass Festival in the Mohican Wilderness in Glenmont, OH. In September of 2021, they attended the Mohican Bluegrass Festival for the last time – “He absolutely loved that festival”, Diana said. One of his favorite artists was Larry Stephenson and his band. David always enjoyed getting to catch up with him after sets are festivals and most of all, listening to his “beautiful” tenor voice.

David was a man that lived by “don’t worry about what others do or think, you cannot control their actions. Do what you love to do and surround yourself with others that have similar habits, love and appreciation”. David’s advice for others would be; to encourage others to go to festivals, go to jams, play music for those that are ill or cannot go out, and invite others to join in. Music brings so much joy and happiness, it’s like food for the soul! Make sure to never stop singing and playing music. Share as much talent that God has given you.

As a huge listener and fan of the Smoked Country Jam and Bluegrass Borderline shows with Michelle Lee, David had given Michelle Lee his mandolin to learn how to play years ago. After David’s passing, Michelle Lee contacted Diana and offered the mandolin to be returned. The two came up with the idea to help raise money for the American Cancer Society and a good home for the mandolin by doing a raffle. Not only are they raffling the mandolin, but Michelle Lee and Marsha had many artists sign it while we attended many festivals and IBMA World of Bluegrass last year. With the purchase of raffle ticket(s), you will have the chance of winning the beautiful mandolin covered with signatures, mandolin case, photo album with photos of all the artists signing the mandolin but most of all, you will be contributing to a great cause!

Diana, Marsha and I, Michelle Lee, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support! Thank you, David, for bringing so much joy to many lives in your time here on earth and know that your love of Bluegrass will carry on!