Musician to perform Sandy Hook benefit song at Daniel Barden Mudfest



From News Channel 2 WKTV Utica

By ALLISON NORLIANStory Created: Apr 4, 2014 at 10:57 PM EDT
Story Updated: Apr 4, 2014 at 11:18 PM EDT 

DEANSBORO, N.Y. (WKTV) - Larry Pegg is a musician. The Canadian singer, song-writer and guitarist traveled from Canada to perform at the second annual Daniel Barden Mudfest, Saturday. He spoke with NEWSChannel 2 on Friday evening about why the Mudfest's mission holds close to his own heart.

The Mudfest started last year to remember Daniel Barden, a 7-year-old student who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The founder, Dan Williams, started the event after attending Barden's funeral. Barden and his niece were friends and classmates.

Pegg unknowingly became connected to the tragedy through his own personal tragedy. He lost his daughter to suicide seven years ago, a day that plays out in infamy in his mind. He used music as his therapy.

"I wrote a song called 'Last of the Hot Summer Days,' which was meshing America's grief over 9/11 with my own grief," Pegg said."And that my grief like America's grief will be everlasting."

Pegg was on his way to the recording studio to track that song in 2012, when the unthinkable happened, the Sandy Hook tragedy. Pegg says the news came across the radio in his car, forcing him to pull over.

"I pulled over and I cried. I went  to the studio and I laid it down with the pain of all those parents," Pegg said.

The song that helped him through his own tragedy, he plans to sing for all those who attend the second annual Mudfest at MKJ Farms in Deansboro.

"I have always tried to bring a positive message within the reality of life," Pegg said.

The Mudfest is a family friendly event that includes a kids half mile adventure run, an adult 5K and an adult elite run for experienced athletes.

All proceeds from the Mudfest benefit the Sandy Hook Promise, the Newtown community organization founded after the mass shooting tragedy. It will benefit Compeer, a community organization serving individuals in the Mohawk Valley who receive mental health services. 

Williams said he decided to make this an annual event after seeing the way it helped the Barden family last year, "It has been difficult but I have to tell you in November, Martin Barden called me and said last years mud run really helped pull them through. He asked if we could do it again and I said absolutely, we'll do it again."

Registration is at 7a.m. on April 5. The first wave of the 5K begins at 9:00a.m. followed by one every half hour.

To purchase Larry Pegg's song 'Last of the hot summer days,' or his CD you can visit this website. All proceeds from the sale of his song go to the Sandy Hook promise. 

If you purchase a physical copy of the CD or online, 50 percent of the proceeds go to the Sandy Hook Promise.