Pictured is Rob Moss, a 2008 OFA graduate who passed away in January 2014 from a heroin / fentanyl overdose. His father, Kraig Moss, is on a personal mission to spread awareness of the dangers of drug addiction. Moss and several musicians are featured in a free March 11 show, Kraig Moss & Nuth’N Fancy Wild Wild Music Show being held at the Township Cabin, 14800 State Rte. 858 in Little Meadows, Pa. For additional information, search for the event page on Facebook. (Provided photo)
Tioga County native Kraig Moss is on a personal mission. After the loss of his 24-year-old son Rob in January 2014 to a heroin / fentanyl overdose, Kraig has taken a message of awareness around the country, educating audiences on the drug epidemic by incorporating his heartfelt song lyrics into his music.
Moss, now 58 and a 1977 Owego Free Academy graduate, grew up in Apalachin and lives in Owego. A musician for many years, Moss and his son had built a successful construction company in the area. When the heroin epidemic hit home for Moss, he weaved the intensity of grief into his music and decided to take his one-man show on the road.
Moss performed for crowds waiting in line at 45 rallies during the Donald Trump presidential campaign and four days at the Republican National Convention, as well as played several live shows with bands, all in an effort to reach out in hopes that his message would stop even one person from experimenting with heroin. Trump’s campaign message about border protection inspired Moss, and Moss agrees that protecting U.S. borders will help stop drugs from entering our country and endangering our youth.
Moss shared, “I would say we have probably reached out to over a thousand people in all of the clubs and churches, and tens of thousands at the Trump rallies and more worldwide with the help of news outlets.”
Moss shared, “I’ve had kids come up to me in tears because they want to get off it and they are torn up because they got themselves on the stuff.”
It’s that type of feedback that Moss says makes his efforts worthwhile. Moss said, “You know you’re doing a good thing when that happens.”
Moss explained it’s also important to encourage people not to look the other way and hope the problem just goes away, and to show people you care and don’t think less of them because of their addiction.
Moss had the opportunity to be part of a Town Hall event televised in January, which featured a discussion with Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, and was hosted by CNN news journalist, Jake Tapper. Moss asked Ryan if he and members of Congress intended to support Trump’s position on protecting U.S. borders and also asked about future laws. Ryan responded by explaining details about a new opioid reform legislation passed in December.
Moss and several musicians are featured in a March 11 show, Kraig Moss & Nuth’N Fancy Wild Wild Music Show being held at the Township Cabin, 14800 State Rte. 858 in Little Meadows, Pa.
The free concert is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., donations benefit Trinity-CASA (Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse) located at 6 McMaster St. in Owego. Trinity-CASA, funded through the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, is a substance abuse prevention agency. Trinity-CASA opened the doors of its Owego office in December 2016, and provides youth education in schools as well as treatment and recovery services.
A goal for Moss at the show is, “If we can keep one kid from trying this heroin killer drug and if we can just reach one kid who stands up and says ‘I’m not snorting or smoking it, or shooting the stuff in my veins, I want to live,’ or if we can get one person to open up that they need help,” it’s then Moss will feel he has succeeded.
The March 11 show features an eight-piece band with five members that have played on tour with Moss. Six 45-minute sets are planned with a combination of classic and new country, rock and rockabilly. Original songs by Moss as well as cover tunes will be played and includes musicians Joe Gana from Little Meadows, Barney French from Owego, Dan Baker and Tom Hare from Elba, N.Y., Mark Bradley from Pavilion, N.Y., Tommy Butch from Parris, Florida, and Nashville artist Pat Saxon.
A “Middendorf Special” chicken barbeque starts off the event at 5 p.m. with music scheduled from 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., all in heated tents. There will be indoor live streaming on 60-inch televisions, as well as drink specials, raffles, baskets, and a dancing platform. Barbeque tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
For additional information, search for the “Kraig Moss & Nuth’N Fancy Wild Wild Music Show” event page on Facebook.
Kraig Moss is doing a good thing about this with this event and I am glad that he had requested me to play keyboards in his band.
I see only revenge in trump. It is all about donald. The country is hurting. His health care bill will result In much suffering and many deaths in my opinion.
Not sure what is meant by moderation. I stand by my words.
Not at all pleased with trump