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Benefit concert to double as birthday party

Photo from VK Productions

The second Angelus benefit concert, Sept. 19, could draw even bigger crowds, organizers hope. Returning performers include, from left, Jenny Rimmer, Michelle Kay and Victoria K, as seen at the 2009 concert. The Angelus is a group home for severely handicapped persons.

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By Carl  Orth | The Suncoast News

Published: September 16, 2009

HUDSON - West Pasco fans have watched singer Victoria K grow up since she began performing at concerts at age 9.

Now they can help the vocalist prodigy celebrate her 18th birthday during a benefit concert for the Angelus home for severely handicapped persons.

She will headline the second annual Music Festival Country Concert noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, on the grounds of the Angelus, 12413 Hudson Ave. The public is invited. A $10 donation for parking is requested. People also can donate for the food and drinks. Call 727-856-1775 or go online to www.theangelus.com for information.

Victoria K will perform with her band N-Kahootz. They will be joined on stage by 10th Concession, Aaron Kelly, Wiley Fox with Katie Donahue, Sweeney Family, Jenny Rimmer, Jo Dell, CCC Choir, Dave Cook and Michelle Kay.

What better way to turn 18, Victoria thought, than to celebrate with the boosters who helped her launch a career.

"I get to give to the charity I love," she commented. The goal is to raise $5,000 this year for the Angelus residents and students. Some of them have cerebral palsy, while others are blind, deaf or mentally handicapped.

She's pleased about getting a chance to play her mandolin, which she first picked up about a year ago. She'll preview some of the songs she has written for her next album.

"We're trying to be a little broader" with a greater blend of musical genres at the concert, she pointed out. An offshoot of bluegrass, new grass, could even appear on the song list along with country, pop and rock.

The finale will be a gospel-tinged jam session with all artists on stage, Louie Lord, Victoria's manager, adds.

Some 600 to 700 people appeared last year for the first Angelus benefit concert, she recalls. So she hopes even more spectators turn out on Saturday.

Sponsors stepped up this year. Schaer Development of Central Florida will present the event. Hyundai of New Port Richey and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 also are making the show possible.

In the meantime, Victoria has been enjoying just being a teen. As a Mitchell High School student, she has joined the drama department. She also goes to Pasco-Hernando Community College under a dual-enrollment program.

Next year she plans to transfer to Belmont University in Nashville, where the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is based. Stars such as Brad Paisley have attended there.

Her goal is a degree in music production with an emphasis on sound engineering.

She has branched out into competing in beauty pageants, with Miss Pasco County and Miss Orlando events coming up.

She has found time to pen all her own songs for an album as a follow-up to her CD, "Nowhere to Hide." The Nashville-produced CD capped many tours and awards in the Music City, including the 2008 Showmanship Award while performing at the Music City Rising Star competition at the CMA Music Festival.

Even when she studies in Nashville, Pasco County will always be home. She pledges to be here in 2010 for a third benefit concert for the Angelus.

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