Iron Ridge, the feature band, was scheduled for two evening performances with an appearance by 14-year-old fiddler Jen Starcinic.
Christina Crilley of Twin Hill Express said that her father, Bradley Yingling, leader of Twin Hill Express, told her on the day Katrina hit that "we needed to get some bands together and do a benefit. The next day, I was on the telephone with Greencastle-Antrim High School, who helped us out tremendously in getting the ball rolling. Bands were contacted - many wanted to help out, but had other engagements - but it didn't take long to get a lineup."
The six members of the bluegrass gospel band Guilford Station took a break after their performance.
"We all have a desire to reach out to the people who were in the hurricane," Tom Rhone said. His wife, Vicki, added, "This was a year for disaster. What you see on TV, it really tugs at your heartstrings. At least we know we're doing something to help. (Crilley) set everything up for us."
Because Guilford Station was one member short this weekend, the Rhones' son-in law, Brandon Senior, a piano tuner, was helping them out.
Crilley said that Twin Hill Express guitarist and mandolin player Jeff Toal wrote a song about New Orleans he calls "Big Muddy."
"He woke up one morning and it came to him," she said.
Toal also turned the old song "Shake, Rattle and Roll" into a gospel song, Crilley said.
Crilley added that without her mother, Penny Yingling, "we wouldn't have been able to pull this off. She helped to promote it, helped with the food and kept me on track."
All of the bands offered to help "not only with the entertainment, but with anything else. Church members, family, friends and co-workers are contributing their time and efforts to the cause," Crilley said. "I'm really beginning to realize what wonderful people we have in our community and country."
