Last Thursday night at Molly Malone’s in Los Angeles, True Blood star Kristin Bauer Van Straten (a.k.a. “Pam”) hosted a charity event benefiting The Amanda Foundation (rescuing dogs and cats since 1976) and featured musical guests Abri Van Straten (husband of Kristin), Chris Pierce (fiance of Tara Buck a.k.a. “Ginger”), and L.A. Hootenanny (Todd Lowe a.k.a. “Terry” is a member).

The night went a little something like this…

Abri Van Straten took the stage first and eased me into the night of music that was to come. Gotta say, I’d not heard of him before that night and he certainly won me over; I can TOTALLY see how Kristin fell in love with this guy. He’s such an amazing singer/songwriter that when he got to a song about rainbows, the room went from rowdy to pin drop quiet …he’s THAT good.

Here he is singing the song he wrote about Kristin, titled “Monet”

And because I’m in a giving mood…here he is singing “Wild Flower”

In between sets, the adorable duo of Kristin Bauer Van Straten and Tara Buck took the stage to raffle off goodies that included signed True Blood memorabilia and fun cd box sets by Sinatra and Bob Marley!

Turning up the heat on the stage was Tara Buck’s fiance, Chris Pierce…holy BALLS, y’all. He busted out some soulful blues and when he did his rendition of “I Put a Spell on You” he did that shiz RIGHT…unfortunately I had to clear space on my iPhone and couldn’t get his set but I think this picture sums up how hot it was.

And after a final raffle and photo ops with Van Straten, Lowe, Buck AND other True Blood stars in attendance like Jim Parrack (Hoyt), Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica) and Mariana Klaveno (Lorena); the dance floor began to fill up fast in anticipation of a band I’d never heard of and (now that I’ve seen them live) will never forget: L.A. Hootenanny. Todd Lowe and crew reminded me that GOOD live music is still alive and well in Los Angeles…not to mention that his enthusiasm and smile made the crowd clap their hands, stomp their feet, and grin from ear to ear; myself included!

Look at this face and TELL me you wouldn’t have a good time with this dude around.

Here’s the crew in action singing a cover of Pixies’ “Where is My Mind?” in German!

I mean, L.A. Hootenanny had the crowd hootin and a’hollerin! It was AMAZING!!!

When the smoke cleared, nearly $5000.00 had been raised for The Amanda Foundation and although I chickened out getting pics or saying hello to them (I could kick myself for not saying hi to Jim Parrack, heh heh); I DID ask for one picture with the woman who organized it all…

Miss Kristin!

Thanks again for an AMAZING night!!!

For more information, check out the following:

The Amanda Foundation- official website | Twitter

Chris Pierce – official website | Twitter

Abri Van Straten – official website

Kristin Bauer Van Straten – official website | Twitter

Tara Buck – Twitter

L.A. Hootenanny – Facebook | Twitter

Posted in Abri van Straten, Amanda Foundation, Deborah Ann Woll, Exclusive Interviews, Jim Parrack, Kristin Bauer, Tara Buck, Todd Lowe