Concert will help support East Palestine residents affected by train derailment

Former steelworker, longtime Pittsburgh-area labor activist and musician Mike Stout wanted a way to formalize relief efforts for those affected and displaced by the 2023 East Palestine train derailment.

The freight train derailment on Feb. 3, 2023, in the village near the Pennsylvania state line included 11 cars transporting hazardous materials.

Area residents evacuated, and officials — fearing a possible uncontrolled blast — intentionally released and burned toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke into the sky.

Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board later determined it wasn’t necessary to blow open those vinyl chloride cars and burn the plastic ingredient.

Earlier this year, Stout formed Ohio Valley Derailment Mutual Aid, which will host an Oct. 4 concert to raise money and support residents.

“The residents of East Palestine have been stabbed and scammed so many times they trust nobody,” Stout said. “This is the time for long- distance runners, not sprinters. We are here for the long haul, and this concert is our way of letting the community know who we are and what we’re about.”

“Back on Track: A Concert for Our Neighbors” will be presented at Rochester Riverfront Park in partnership with the mutual aid group Food & Water Watch Pennsylvania and the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community.

Musical entertainment includes Pittsburgh-area guitarist David Granati of the Granati Brothers, “The Voice” alumnus Tarra Layne, funk band Mean Blue Planets and the Jerry Garcia Band tribute group Reuben’s Painted Mandolin.

“When I first saw the damage and the devastation of the train derailment in East Palestine, my heart immediately went out to this small town,” said Eric Weingrad, guitarist and lead singer of Reuben’s Painted Mandolin as well as Pittsburgh band theCAUSE. “I’m familiar with the area, because I used to work near here in Moon Township. I feel anything that we can do to help bring some joy into that town — as the federal government and the state have not done nearly enough to help — I’m happy to do it.”

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate and $5 for children under 13 years old. Purchase tickets online at GiveButter.com/OVDMABackOnTrack.

“In the months after Norfolk Southern set off a toxic bomb in their community, residents expressed a lot of anger, frustration and fear,” said Steve Mellon, founding board member of the mutual aid group. “They’ve channeled much of that emotion into a determination to get answers, to fight back and to help each other.

“But they face powerful foes with nearly unlimited resources. The proceeds from this concert will help ease the financial strain for people dealing with an array of health issues.

“It’s also a way for the community to say to them, ‘We haven’t forgotten you.’ ”