05/23/2026
I remember very clearly riding passenger princess with Chris one afternoon not long after Deegan died. First Date by blink-182 came on, and I laughed. I cranked it, and started singing it at the top of my lungs, just like Deegan and I used to do together when he was here. I made it about two lines before it hit me. I turned it off, tears streaming down my face.
We had a couple of songs we sung that way every time they came on when we were in the car together…County Roads by John Denver, Everything She Ain’t by Hailey Whitters…the list goes on. Music was one of the things we both loved. One of our favorite pastimes: finding new songs we thought the other would love.
I’m not easily impressed by music, especially covers. I’m kind of a music snob. I was, however, impressed enough by a couple of weeks ago that I clicked on his live and stayed awhile. We chatted a bit during his live, both living not far from each other here in Michigan. I’ve since been fortunate enough to hear Ben play live, and meet both he and his father, Doron Eisenberg. They’re two of the kindest people I’ve met in a long time.
Ben and his father approached us recently about organizing a fundraiser for The Deegan Project. I can’t help but feel like Deegan would think Ben is pretty okay too, so on June 14th we’ll be celebrating what would’ve been Deegan’s 20th birthday at in Clarkston. We’ll start at 5p, and Ben will be there playing live from 5-8p. Oh, and the best part…Ben’s dad has partnered with Alex’s on his plan for a fundraiser…they will be donating 20% of their proceeds that night to The Deegan Project.
I mean, ya gotta have dinner that day anyhow, but we would love to see all of you there to check out a pretty talented 16yo kid, and to celebrate Deegan with us. As Deegan would say…show up, and show out. See ya there.
