Pianist plays 24 hours for firefighter benefit in Black Forest

Papi Sorrels hopped on the keys for 24 hours straight last year to raise thousands for local military and first responders; now he’s planning on doing it again to help out local firefighters.

Sorrels’ first “piano marathon” was last March at Bar K in downtown Colorado Springs. Sorrels said he raised $6,000 for the military thanks to people donating while he played.

This weekend, he was at it again in Black Forest. Sorrels played songs from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Chicken Coop, and his goal this year is $10,000.

This time Sorrels was raising money to help pay for firefighters medical bills. He was inspired by his friend who was a firefighter during the Waldo Canyon Fire.

“I was actually working with a friend who had some things happen to him from the Waldo Canyon Fire and that inspired it quickly to be apart of the firefighter focus,” Sorrels says.

As to what kept him motivated through the 24 hour stretch, Sorrels says, “it’s about the firefighters and all I got to do is think for one second about what they do every day throughout the year, and they do those things for us all the time so what’s 24 hours of piano playing?”

After the 24 period, Sorrels did succeed in reaching his goal, raising close to $11,000.

KRDO’s Chase Golightly visited last year’s piano marathon in downtown Colorado Springs. Here’s a look: