Neil Cox passed away in April 2012. More than five years later, those who still love him plan to gather to spread awareness of suicide.
“Neil was very inspirational. He spoke through poetry, through music. He always had a word of encouragement for somebody. No matter what his stance, he was always bringing people up,” Agana Fox said. “That’s why it rocked us so much when we lost him, because there were no signs.”
Fox had been friends with Cox since high school. She calls him her “brother.”
She is one of the members of PBR Nation, a Facebook group Cox started with 30 or 40 of his friends, which has since grown to more than 700 members from all over the country.
“It was called PBR Nation because we all drank PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon beer). We grew up together,” Fox said.
“Through this group that Neil started, many people have been brought together and actually met physically. It goes across the nation. I have met many amazing people through Neil, through this group.”
The “creed” of the group is to pay it forward, help your brothers and sisters out as much as possible and to always be a friend.
“He was a great inspirational speaker and we want to continue that,” Fox said.
On Aug. 26, PBR Nation will present the first Neil Cox Suicide Awareness Festival at Trail’s End and the Panhead Saloon, at 4646 State Road 135 South.
Fox, Trail’s End Owner Claire Becraft and Jessica George are helping to organize the event. George is organizing the musical lineup. Brandy Artist is gathering photos for a memorial table for Cox.
“As soon as I put the word out, people were like, ‘Oh, I want to play! I want to play!’” Fox said.
The lineup includes local musicians Don Ford, the Amanda Webb Band, Elkins Family Band, Coot Crabtree, and the Hammer and the Hatchet, among others.
For a couple of years after Cox’s death, his brother, Rick, put on a Black Friday suicide awareness show at the Bluebird in Bloomington and donated money to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Rick and Neil made up the local musical duo the Cox Brothers, who played often at the Bluebird. The Cox Brothers had put on a Black Friday show every year.
For the last couple of years, Rick has not done a Black Friday show. Fox said she began speaking with Becraft and plans formed to host a new musical event in honor of Neil Cox “to help raise money to educate these people and get the literature out there to help people.”
“And maybe quit losing our brothers and sisters,” Fox said.
Fox said she hopes the event will let people know there are others out there who will listen to them in their time of need.
“I want everyone to know that there’s somebody they can talk to no matter how dark that moment is. You can reach out and talk to somebody. Somebody is willing to listen,” she said.
Becraft contacted Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer and the company is going to donate T-shirts and other freebies to toss out into the crowd throughout the festival. The festival is expected to run from 1:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a $5 entrance fee taken at the door.
The entrance fee will be donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, along with any proceeds from the silent auction. Fox said she has artwork that has been donated by local artists and some from as far away as North Carolina. Local businesses have also donated to the auction.
There will be a candlelight ceremony for anyone wishing to participate in remembrance of ones they have lost. Information will also be provided by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Fox said people should come out to support the cause and to learn how to be a voice.
“Education, awareness. That’s my big goal,” she said.
“I’m tired of losing people.”
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What: Neil Cox Suicide Awareness Festival presented by PBR Nation
When: 1:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 26
Where: Trail’s End and the Panhead Saloon, 4646 State Road 135 South
Cost: $5 entrance fee. Must be 21 to enter.
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Don Ford
Spank N Mickey
Megan Hopkins and Dave Vogt
The Amanda Webb Band
The Elkins Family Band
Coot Crabtree
David Graves and Midwest Union Reunion
The Hammer and the Hatchet
Mumblefoot
Some of these musicians played with Cox, who passed away in April 2012.
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