Local band celebrates 20th anniversary show, collects donations for Child Crisis Center

Local Chuco post-rock band Blessed Be Man is celebrating their 20th anniversary in Downtown El Paso this weekend, and they're using their performance as a way to give back to the community.

It's not every day where a rock band puts on a show to give back to kids in need.

Johnny Lopez is a local musician and educator in El Paso, and he says this show is less about the gig, and more about what it stands for.

"The message has always been one of hope, even the name Blessed Be Man and just to be alive, I've always said it is a blessing," Lopez says.

He's played shows with themes like keeping hatred and racism out of the El Paso music scene. 
Lopez started Blessed Be Man as a one-man band 20 years ago and has seen it grow to a full band, all while being a counselor at an alternative school. 

Working with at-risk youth, Lopez wants to give back to children who are struggling at The Child Crisis Center of El Paso.

"I see the struggles that the youth and the children go through, especially right now being a school counselor, there's a lot of need," says the guitarist. "The children that are at the [Child] Crisis Center, I mean, these are children that have gone through a lot of trauma and the things that no children, or really, no adults should go through."

They encourage show guests to bring donations of children's items such as new clothes, shoes, toiletries and toys that will go to the center. 

"There's nothing else I'd rather be doing, being a local educator, I know how important it is to help out that community," he says. "So, I get to do two things that I'm very passionate about, helping out children and play music."

The event is on October 17th at Rosewood bar, it's free and 21+. 

Doors open at 9:00 pm and music begins at 10:00 pm.