About a month ago, local singer-songwriter Drew Grow got a whole shitload of bones broken in a car accident. Physically, he's going to be fine. His wallet, however, is taking quite a hit, thanks to hospital fees accrued from the multiple surgeries it took to piece him back together.

In a city with a popular basketball team whose players leave the court on stretchers more often than most military units, people were immediately sympathetic. Grow's label, Amigo/Amiga, immediately went ahead with setting up a fund and a pair of benefit shows -- one in Seattle, the other here -- on Feb. 19 and 18, respectively. For Portland's purposes, the concert at The Woods will feature performances by Northwest songwriters Shenandoah Davis and Ezza Rose, along with a set by members of the Portland Cello Project. Suggested donation is $10, all of which goes straight to Grow's health care costs.

If simply helping a dude in need isn't enough to get you to pony up some dough, here's a ringing endorsement of Grow's abilities from Seattle's Sound on the Sound blog:

"If you've been inspired by Drew's music and raise the rafters live performances, please come and show your support. This is a moment for our community to come together and show what we can really do when we unite and there couldn't be a more deserving person for such an effort. With zero hyperbole we can say Drew is one of the most captivating, kind and gifted people and performers we've ever had the pleasure of knowing on and off-stage. Josh said it best, "Drew is everything that is right about Northwest music at the moment." And he and the band need our help. And until the benefit shows, please send your love and healing thoughts and prayers or whatever it is you do, to Drew and the Pastors' Wives."    

Here's an example of one of those "raise the rafters live performances," taken from last year's Mississippi Street Fair