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                                                Makin' noise: Linda Storey raises money and awareness for MS

                                                                    By Vince Darcangelo (Contact)
                                                                        Thursday, May 22, 2008

Linda Storey was on her way to a promising career in music. An accomplished guitarist and bassist who grew up in Broomfield, Storey was managed by local promoter Chuck Morris and traveled the country playing music in the mid-'70s.

But something didn't feel quite right.

"I was just on the road the whole time, and then all of a sudden I'd get dizzy onstage," Storey says. "Then I'd have to take a cane onstage."In her early 20s, with a promising music career ahead of her, Storey was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

"MS affects people usually in the prime of their life," Storey says.

In the years following her diagnosis, Storey hired backup players to fill in when she got tired onstage but did her best to follow her dreams."It just got a little bit harder all the time," she says. "I kept trying -- every last minute -- to keep performing."

Finally, in her 30s she lost the ability to walk.

These days, Storey is in a wheelchair, and isn't able to play the guitar anymore, but she still writes music and performs with her daughter Jessica handling guitar duties. Together they play at the Rockin' Out MS benefit show at the Rock N' Soul Café on Sunday. The concert supports CASE for MS, an organization Storey founded in 2006 that works for a cure and provides advocacy for those with MS. The organization raises money for the National MS Society, does volunteer and nonprofit work within Colorado and supports musicians with MS.

"There are a lot of musicians that have it," says Storey, adding that country music star Clay Walker is among the afflicted. "A lot of people don't know because only 25 to 30 percent end up in wheelchairs."Sunday's show is the concluding event in a four-night run of spring benefits in Colorado, including gigs in Denver and Fort Collins. Joining Linda and Jessica Storey at the Rock N' Soul is Irish band the John O'Gods, which is led by Mark Gilligan, who is also suffering from MS. While Gilligan is in town, he and Storey will record songs they've written about the disease, blending Gilligan's Irish style with Storey's rock 'n' roll.

Storey will be recording her new song "Make Some Noise," which, like one of her earlier songs, "Don't Let it Stop You," encourages those with MS to stay active."I'm trying to help people realize that even though something like this happens to them, it doesn't have to stop you," Storey says. Copies of the recording should be available at the show.

Also involved with the benefit, though unlikely to perform at Sunday's show, is Denver Irish rock band the Indulgers, whose bass player's wife has MS. Previous benefits have featured a local who's who, including Firefall, Chris Daniels, Wendy Woo, Nina Storey (no relation) and Melissa Ivey.

Linda Storey says fans should expect a great rock 'n' roll show.

"How much funner can it be than blues rock and Irish music?" she says. "It's going to be killer."

Contact Camera Music Writer Vince Darcangelo at vdarcangelo@yahoo.com.

Rockin’ Out MS – Nov. 16, 2007
The CASE For MS benefit concert at the Soiled Dove Underground was a great concert on a musical level, but even more was affecting on a spiritual level. While this reviewer enjoyed the performances, it was the courage of a wheelchair-bound Linda Storey that was at once thrilling and at the same time thought provoking. We expect our entertainers to be nimble and lithe – not rendered immobile by a debilitating physical malady like Multiple Sclerosis. Okay, so you have to figure that a performer in that situation would resort to delicate folkie material, right? Well, not Storey who, with loving help from her daughter Jessica on guitar and duet vocal, tore into some rock and blues looking almost like some 2000’s version of Janis Joplin with a sly grin on her face.
The evening started off in fine fashion with Josie Quick and Tom Carleno of Perpetual Motion dueting on violin and guitar. The highlight was an unexpected cover of Steely Dan’s “Josie” which burned. You may wish to check out their website perpetual-motion.net for more information about their CDs.
Next up was Linda & Jessica Storey who had a fine band behind them including the Zelig-like Philip “Fly” McClard on sax who seemingly has played in every important Colorado aggregation. The man is a treasure and his sax solos wove nicely around Kent Richardson’s lead guitar parts. While Storey’s voice is not as strong as before MS, the fact is she was still able to muster enough strength to roll through a rocker like “Mount St. Helens Was A-Blowin’” and also melt the audience with a sentiment like “Don’t Let It Stop You”. Jessica brought back memories of Candy Givens and Zephyr in her visit to “St. James Infirmary”. When Josie Quick brought her blue violin on for the finale, one hoped that the magical mix of those musicians will get together in a studio sometime.
The stars of the show were Firefall Acoustic who used this show to trot material from their new Beatles tribute CD – Colorado To Liverpool. Appropriately, the MC was Archer or 99.5 the Mountain who hosts the best Beatles show in America on Sunday mornings from 9 till noon. Steven Weinmeister, Jock Bartley and Bil Hopkins rolled through a series of excellent faux fab four including “Norwegian Wood” and “Girl”.
After a short intermission at which a silent auction was held to raise money for the cause, the three Firefallers returned with electrical instruments and augmented by Bartley’s son Jamey on drums. Holy crud, kids – with apologies to regular drummer Sandy Ficca, Jamey went after the skins like Keith Moon or something which drove the guys up a notch in intensity. “Cinderella,” “Mexico” and especially “Strange Way” sounded amazing. Jamey’s metal-band thrash made for one special night for this reviewer, but the lasting feeling afterwards was curiosity about a debilitating illness that arbitrarily robs people differing degrees of physical strength while keeping their minds intact.
Linda Storey quit music for a number of years after her illness was diagnosed, returned to be an inspiration to other MS sufferers. That courage can be inspirational to everyone who faces adversity. Thanks to she and her daughter along with Guy Errickson and Alison Zellner who give of themselves in CASE For MS.
Doc Krieger (the rock and roll Dentist) – freelance writer with Goldmine, Beatlefan, Roundup Of Posse Of Denver Westerners, etc.
"My new favorite CD is "Don't Let It Stop You" by singers Linda and Jessica Storey" John Andrews, Wall Street Journal August 2005    Complete Article

"Storey's band, Alleluia Blues, is loaded with top-notch musical talent, playing some old favorites and plenty of original material. Linda's voice and composition skills are still razor-sharp." Stephen Knapp, Canyon Courier, Evergreen, October 6, 2004

"Singer-songwriter Linda Storey gives a voice to millions of Americans who live with disabilities. She does this through her powerful music and commitment to advocacy."   National MS Society, New York Chapter

DON'T LET IT STOP YOU critique: "Great and timely message.  We've heard many songs following 911 in despair, hope, personal and patriotic and this is one of the best I've heard because it floats a message of hope over an infectious groove without getting tiresome, cliché, too preachy or gingolistic.  Fine piece of work!  I really like your vocal style and think you've got what it takes."  Taxi A&R, Calabasa, California

RECLAIMING CONTROL Daily Camera 2003

Linda has been featured in an episode of "Broken Wings", a documentary TV series produced by Amphion Productions and Motion Masters.    BROKEN WINGS

"Linda Storey's distinctive melodies, sincere, heartfelt lyrics and sparkling harmonies with the Jessi both ignite and inspire.  Linda's skillfully crafted music crosses various genres, from rock to blues, making it appealing to audiences of all ages.  Not only a pleasure to the ear, witnessing a performance is truly energizing to the soul.-Sara Caldwell, Amphion Productions- producer of the TV documentary series "Broken Wings".

"Her smoky enticing voice and the soul of the blues, makes her lyrics hit deep."  Media Access Office, North Hollywood October 2001

"She has really marvelous songs and is a dedicated musician.  Good songwriter." Brian Elliott, All Blues Show