Money raised for Colorado Springs musician hit by alleged drunk driver

It was standing room only at Johnny’s Navajo Hogan, not just because it was jam night but it was who they were jamming for.

The music community of Colorado Springs came together Sunday evening to honor and help out a fellow musician Mike Elmore.

Elmore was hit by a car Tuesday night by an alleged drunk driver that almost took his life. He is steadily recovering at the hospital after going through multiple surgeries.

His longtime friend and bandmate Richard Rifkin says, “He lost his right leg, broke his arm and his leg and cervical damage and all that.”

That’s why Rifkin and Levi Maez another longtime friend and bandmate put together this benefit to raise money for Elmore’s medical bills. Both were overwhelmed with how many people came out to show their support.

“Everybody has been in a boat where they need help but this is just an amazing outpouring. It’s wonderful,” Rifkin says.

They even live streamed the jam to Elmore while he was at the hospital. Rifkin says Elmore is in good spirits despite what he went through, “I’ve visited him three times he’s never been down or angry. I mean it’s just amazing. I mean he is literally inspiring everybody.”

A GoFundMe account was set up for Elmore, its goal was $5,000 and currently has raised close to $15,000.

They say at Jam night, within two hours, they raised another $5,000