Multiple businesses in the Stillwater community rallied last weekend to raise money for first responders, their families and others who were affected by the March 14 wildfires through a two-day concert series called Stillwater Strong: Red Dirt Rising.
Local Red Dirt artists gathered their instruments and warmed up their vocal cords for a fundraising weekend. More than 40 artists performed at multiple venues across Stillwater, including The Twelves, Bad Brad's BBQ, Finnegan’s Fighting Goat, The Dirty Rooster, The Salty Bronc Saloon and White Buffalo Tavern.
Organizers sold T-shirts, hats and stickers featuring the newly designed Stillwater Strong: Red Dirt Rising logo. In conjunction with the performances, a live and silent auction were held.
The event came together after a group of local business owners decided they wanted to help those affected by the fires.
Missy Hunter, co-owner of The Salty Bronc Saloon, has seen her fair share of disasters. As an insurance adjuster, she often meets with people who have lost everything.
“I see the heartbreak and the panic,” Hunter said. “That day I saw it in my own town.”
Hunter started making calls, and the number of businesses grew. As plans formed, Okie Records reached out to Hunter, and they quickly developed a line up of artists.
“We called each other, and we’re like, ‘Oh we’re doing something,'” Hunter said. “We started planning.”
When Megan Stephens Courtney got the call from Hunter, she jumped at the opportunity to help. Stephens Courtney is a co-owner of The Twelves, an agritourism company in Stillwater. Stephens Courtney was driven by her past experiences to help.
After moving back to Stillwater in 2023, Stephens Courtney was caught in a wind storm that blew the roof off her home with her still inside. Stephens Courtney said the response from the community warmed her heart.
“There were so many people that I had never met, people that I’d met in passing and put everything back together,” Stephens Courtney said. “This is the little piece that I can help give back.”
The Twelves became a family-friendly spot for the weekend, offering good music and food for everyone to enjoy.
Stephens Courtney said she and other business owners had to hustle to make the event come together. She said they were inspired by other locales across Stillwater, such as Top Hand Ag Equipment, which collected supplies for first responders, and Lena’s Little’s Play Cafe, which became a clothing donation center overnight.
“I think there is something to be said for Stillwater,” Stephens Courtney said. “Everybody kind of stepped up and said, ‘Hey guys, we’re here for you.’"
The Twelves invited multiple volunteer fire departments to meet and talk with the community.
Brianna Pruitt stood outside The Twelves venue conversing with firefighters around a group of trucks. The captain of the Perkins Fire Department fought the wildfires on March 14. Pruitt said she was thankful for the opportunity to engage with the community and her fellow firefighters.
“Normally, we’re doing it from the back of a fire truck, so we don’t really get to sit here and have conversations and catch up with each other,” Pruitt said.
Chief Zach Sales also engaged in conversations with firefighters from other departments and his own team from the Ripley Fire Department. He was excited to give back to the community that rallied behind his department and many others following the wildfires.
“They’ve all gathered around us after Friday (March 14) and all the major fires and they’re still trying to pay us back so we’re out here to support them like they have supported us,” Sales said.
Sales said the biggest issue facing his team and others is the lack of resources like water and food.
“Our guys get hungry, they get thirsty, they get dehydrated,” Sales said. “When that happens,, we don’t get to do our job safely.”
Volunteer firefighters are not paid for their work; they’re employees, students and family members. Oftentimes they pay for resources out-of-pocket.
“You hear about these volunteer departments that lost trucks, that lost major pieces of equipment and they're volunteer fire departments that don’t have the funds to replace it,” Stephens Courtney said.
Sales said the money doesn’t matter; it’s all about helping people.
“They’re crazy just like I am,” Sales said. “They come out. They love doing this.”
Firefighters gave their time to serve and protect on March 14, and music artists in the area wanted to pay it forward by giving their time for the two-day concert series.
“None of the artists are getting paid,” Hunter said. “They’re all donating their own time.”
One of the bands performing at The Salty Bronc Saloon, the Waxie Dargles, played their Celtic tunes for those affected, including two of their band members. Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Craig Miller was happy to return to the stage where the band got its start four years prior.
“It’s just a good cause to be out here making some music, calling attention to it and providing an environment so that we can essentially bring the community together to raise money,” Miller said. “We’re just happy to be a part of it.”
Stillwater Strong: Red Dirt Rising brought students, Stillwater residents and those affected together to help those in need through music and connection.
“It’s heartwarming,” Stephens Courtney said.”You never want to live through that kind of trauma, but knowing that this is the community you live in, the people have your back, that’s got to give you at least a little piece of mind.”