YOUR AD HERE »

Bands give back in West Vail

Allie Subranni
Vail, CO Colorado
Special to the Vail DailyDenver hip hop band UmConscious will perform along with the MTHDS and Frontside Five at the Sandbar in West Vail Saturday night.
ALL |

VAIL, Colorado –Richard Paradis, a.k.a. Dick Dime, helped local Colorado bands make it in the valley, and now three of these bands have the chance to return the favor.

This summer, Dime was biking with a few friends while training for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships when he and Julia Purrington were hit by a car. Dick Dime suffered the brunt of the impact and requires a lot of hospital care. Kat Armstrong, Dime’s longtime friend has put together a benefit at The Sandbar with these three amazing bands who have volunteered their talent for the cause.

Lead singer Johnny Larchick, of Umconscious, says he is excited to give back.



“Dick Dime has been such a great inspiration for us. He’s basically given us the opportunity to play in the Vail Valley,” Larchick said. “When we heard the news about what happened we were devastated, shocked even.

“If it wasn’t for him opening the door and giving us opportunities to play up there (Vail) we don’t know if those opportunities would have been available. He’s been there for us so now we want to be there for him.”

Support Local Journalism



The members from The Frontside Five and the MTHDS feel the same way. The bands attribute their success in this valley partly to Dime’s efforts to get them playing at The Sandbar and other clubs in the valley. Dime’s favorite music is what they all play: a mixture of hip-hop, punk, rock, and blues.

Umconscious won “Best hip-hop band in Denver 2009” from Westword. The MTHDS performed at the 2008 Honda Sessions Snowboard Championships. And the Frontside Five is skater/punk rock at it’s best. All the guys put on a great show, and they are excited to play in this marathon of music in honor of their marathon-running friend.

Dick Dime clearly isn’t just a musical man: he loves to push himself beyond the boundaries of human ability. Dime often worked with bands until 3 a.m., then slept in his car for a few hours and drove down to Denver for a training run/bike/swim or even a race.

His pre-race and training diet of a Red Bull and pop tarts might seem unhealthy, but the numbers don’t lie. He’s run a 2:52 marathon and a 1:17 half marathon, and his “easy days” consist of a 60-mile bike ride through Glenwood Canyon. His closest friends, like Armstrong, agree that Dime is a little eccentric but beyond lovable.

“I met Dick on the very first day he got here,” she said. “They say that the reason he survived the accident is because he is in such good shape. His life is music and being an athlete, and his goal was to be in Ironman in Hawaii.”

Rachel Viele says that she misses having Dime as a running partner.

“A lot of us from Vail are going down to do the Denver Half Marathon and Marathon,” she said. “It’s weird and sad because last year I ran it with Richard and it was so much fun.”

A lot of Dime’s friends are partying at the benefit Saturday night and then running the Denver Marathon Sunday morning. This weekend is actually the perfect mirror of Dick Dime’s life: party at night, run a race the next morning. He’s going to wish he were there.

This benefit isn’t just a collaboration concert. There is a raffle with over $2,000 worth of prizes, ranging from more than 15 restaurant certificates to a Never Summer Snowboard to Coors apparel to fine art in the valley to free rooms in an Aspen hotel. In addition, Dime’s favorite beer, Pabst Blue Ribbon, will be just $2.

Armstrong said this event will be fun for everyone, even for patrons who don’t know Dime.

“It’s so wonderful to see the outpouring of affection and love for Richard that the people of this valley have given,” Armstrong said. “I just can’t believe it. This concert is going to be great.”

Where: The Sandbar

When: Saturday: The Benefit starts at 8 p.m., the bands start at 9:30 p.m., all proceeds go to the Dick Dime Foundation.

Cost: $15 dollar cover at the door, but a fantastic night of great music and epic prizes.

Where to Stay: If you’re from out of town, the Holiday Inn and Cascade Village have donated discounted rooms for the cause. Please call either hotel and ask for the Dick Dime Benefit Special.

For More Information on how to donate and live updates about Dime’s condition please visit the Web site http://www.dickdime.info/about.html


Support Local Journalism