GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The Boogerville Hideout Bar was rockin’ last Saturday, partially by bands and celebration of Jimmie Van Zant’s life, and the 84^th birthday party for his sister, “Aunt” Jane Van Zant.

But mainly by Mother Nature.

The Jimmie Van Zant Whiskey release—the final celebration of life for the cousin of Johnny and Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Donnie Van Zant of 38 Special—Aunt Jane’s party, a half-afternoon of music, and the availability of rare Southern Rock memorabilia were an overwhelming success. All proceeds, including a $3,800 winning bid for a handcrafted Lynyrd Skynyrd-themed guitar by Duane Calkins’ Woodshop Rocks, were donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

But a powerful thunderstorm not only knocked the power out shortly after 4 p.m., but the threat of even more alarming weather also forced event organizer Joey Nichols to send everyone home long before the scheduled midnight closing.

By cutting the event by eight hours, especially with more popular nighttime sessions, Nichols said they failed to reach their goal for St. Jude.

“For those of you who care about the children of God, forbid, but what if it were your child? These people cannot do what they do without funding,” he said. “No one ever receives a bill from there so please, please, dig deep and give.

“The child you save could be your own, and I pray not. It doesn't matter how much you give; it's more than they had, and the thought that counts, so please, once again, give and give now.”

Nichols said donations can be sent to fundraising.stjude.org.

Bottles of the Hoochie Hooch Distillery whiskey—many signed by Johnny and Aunt Jane Van Zant and Barry “Free” Bird, the son of legendary guitarist Duane Allman—were sold, along with memorabilia, to raise thousands for the children’s hospital.

In addition to Bird, Lauren and Kristen Burns, stepdaughters of founding Lynyrd Skynyrd drummer Bob Burns, and original Alabama drummer Mark Herndon and his wife, Leah Seawright, attended.

Paul Wane coordinated the lengthy list of musicians who were scheduled to play. While some got their sets in, including Jacksonville’s Garnet Stone, some, including Wane’s Duval County Line, were washed out.

“While we're all very disappointed, we understand his (Nichols’) decision,” Wane said.

Jimmie Van Zant had his own band, but he died of cancer in 2016. 

With so many people who were influential to the Southern Rock movement in attendance, filmmaker Jerry Smith used the occasion to film a significant portion of his documentary for the Public Broadcasting Service, “The Soul of Southern Rock.”

He interviewed Herndon and Seawright, who just released a single called “Black and Blue,” a patriotic anthem of grit, determination and soul dedicated to the Wounded Warrior Project.