Billy F. Gibbons, Matt Sorum, and Mike Flanigin to Headline Three words: Ernie Boch Junior. Did you just sing them in your mind? If so, you’re definitely not alone. Although the Providence-born businessman sold most of his family’s third-generational car dealerships a few years ago, we can still quickly recall their radio commercials — and for good reasons. They proliferated local airwaves for quite a while, and they were catchy AF. Nowadays, Boch Jr. serves as the president, CEO, and spokesman for Boch Enterprises, a $1 billion operation. He’s also the CEO of Subaru New England, and in 2006, he started Music Drives Us (MDU), a registered 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. Music Drives Us supports music and arts education throughout New England. He seeded MDU in 2004 with $2 million. Boch Jr., who’s a graduate and former board member of the Berklee College of Music (in Boston), says, “I have always liked music since when I was a kid. When Woodstock hit, I was 10 years old, it changed my life.” In the ’80s, he met Brad Whitford and the rest of the members of Aerosmith. Since then, Boch Jr.’s forged strong bonds with many more musical artists. His best friend, Paul Geary, is an artist manager and a drummer. “Then I started seeing music as education and I saw the giant hole. At the time, I discovered VH1’s Save the Music.” Boch Jr. tells me that it was a one-on-one lunch with one of Save the Music’s founders that got the ball rolling for him in terms of creating MDU. After its launch, he says, “It took a bit to get familiar with the environment. Then we realized there was so much need.” To date, he says, “We’ve put in over 1,000 instruments, completed 300 projects and funded millions of dollars.” Recently, for instance, the charity donated instruments to schools in Block Island, Providence, Woonsocket and the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. To raise money for their cause, Music Drives Us (MDU) hosts two big events each year. Next Friday, December 13, MDU is hosting The BFG Three, an evening when Billy F. Gibbons, Matt Sorum, and Mike Flanigin rock the stage at the Norwood Space Center in Norwood, Mass. Gibbons was the lead guitarist and singer for ZZ Top and Sorum used to drum for Guns N’ Roses. Flanigin is a respected blues rocker who plays the hammond organ. For Boch Jr., the process of booking acts for his events is personal. “Billy Gibbons stood at my house last year and I got to know him. And I know Matt Sorum. I went to his wedding,” he explains. It’s good that Boch Jr. knows such talented musicians, because that’s what attracts people to attend MDU’s event drives, thus forwarding its mission. In the next year, he hopes to raise between $100,000 and $150,000 for his philanthropic venture According to Boch Jr., the BFG is MDU’s biggest event of the year. It takes a village to produce the event. At the helm is Jackie Bell, MDU’s Director of Development & Special Events. Bell’s a seasoned PR pro who’s be worked for the organization for four years. BFG Three drinks will be provided by Castle Island Brewery (of Norwood) and URE Vodka. The food will be prepared by Mansfield, Mass. chef who’s worked with MDU for a decade. General admission tickets for the BFG Three are $50. VIP tickets go for $300. With VIP tickets, concertgoers get food and drinks, a meet and greet with the band, and a reserved spots in a special viewing area. This is a 21+ show. To purchase tickets, visit eventbrite.com/e/the-bfg-three-ft-billy-f- gibbons-matt-sorum-and-mike-flanigin-tickets-79535377455 Coffin-Bangers: Tight Crew + RI Indoor Karting = “Monster” Halloween Do you like scary movies? What about costume parties? If you answered yes to one or both of those questions, pay attention! On Saturday, October 26, EDM event super-producers Tight Crew is throwing their annual Halloween blowout. The’ll transform RI Indoor Karting (RIIK) in Lincoln into a real-life Monster Mash. Mash-goers can rage from 8pm to 3am among immersive decorations and state-of-the-art audiovisuals that will provide an unforgettable Halloween experience. As far the tunes are concerned, there will be two stages of music. Our local prince of darkness, the legendary DJ Venom, is scheduled to perform. If that’s not enough, consider this: Guests can also try their luck at an axe throwing bar, race the high speed go-karts, bowl in one of the event’s performance spaces or enjoy a game of billiards. It’ll be the perfect night to make amazing memories. Tight Crew explained their venue choice. “We have been patrons of RIIK since they opened. We always had the idea to throw a party here, and we figured Halloween was the perfect time to start! The venue is expanding with an arcade and a massive virtual reality experience, which should increase the amount of awesome times we can have here.” One of the coolest things about Tight Crew is how big they are huge on positive vibes and family traditions. Even though the activities alone at Monster Mash are bananas, they’re not holding back. True to form, they’ll be showing out with for their guests. This once-in-a-lifetime night will feature free fresh fruit, Halloween candy, and a kandi-making area. Lastly, creatures of the night can rock their ghoulish garb and enter the Halloween-themed costume contest. Entry for the Monster Mash is 18+ (21+ to drink), and all of the dope activities available can be paid for a la carte. “We are offering a discount on races on our ticketing page. Anyone who wants to guarantee a race or axe-throwing lane (space is limited, and the axe bar will close at midnight) should reserve in advance.” Heed their warning, people! Grab your tickets (while they last) at TightCrew.net. Hot Happenings: Electronic music events worth perspiring over Dip, drip, drop! Why ease your way into summer this year when you can make a splash by riding out the best electronic dance music events Lil Rhody has in store? These three shows provide the rare and much-needed opportunity to get down and dirty (musically speaking!) on the beach, in the pool and in the club — all season long. So grab a friend and pack a towel and a change of clothes, since it’s time to soak up the sun while dancing to some sweet tunes. First up, on Sunday, June 16, welcome warmer weather by donning some cute swimwear and heading down to Westerly for Sunday Funday, a day-party at Tikki Beach in Westerly. This edition showcases Boston-based producer/DJ duo DUDEnGUY. These guys are known for delivering high-energy sets complete with killer mixes, so get ready to dance. This event is 21+ and runs from noon until 5pm, with free admission before 3pm. Then on Saturday, June 29, SPF Saturdays Presents Sound/Waves, an all day into-night (11am until 9pm!) party at the Last Resort Pub & Grill in Smithfield. The lineup is TBA, but these events are always unforgettable. The venue has a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool as well as a sand beach volleyball court and tiki bar. Admission to Sound/Waves is 21+. To snag your tickets, head over to eventbrite.com. Make sure to stay hydrated and reapply sunscreen throughout June and July, because once August 17 hits, you’ll want to spend all day and night at Tight Crew’s Toy Story 4 Block Party. This rave will transform Platforms Dance Club (PVD) into an indoor/outdoor party that features DJs from around the U.S. and world spinning in three rooms. The event also boasts fire performances,a ball pit, confetti cannons, a free fresh fruit and kandi-making area, and even a bounce house! For more info and tickets, visit tightcrew.net Ball Drop Beat Drop: More fun than should be allowed Much like the extra dry champagne served on the holiday, New Year’s Eve traditions can be a bit stale. Interested in switching it up? Then head to Platforms Dance Club in Providence on December 31 to ring in the new year at Tight Crew (TC)’s Neon Masquerade Ball! You may want to buy your tickets now, because this limited-ticket event will feature 16 DJs from all over the US, fire performances, a heated outdoor tent and a game room! So pick out a cute outfit and get plenty of rest, because the event runs from 6pm to 3am. Headliners include Ducky (LA, dubstep), Lady Faith (LA, hardstyle) and DJ Venom (RI), who will be spinning a special freestyle set. Since this is a TC party, event-goers can plan on stopping by the free kandi-making and fresh fruit areas. As for the midnight countdown, attendees will be treated to a larger-than-life neon orgy of colorful lights, sounds and confetti cannons. “We have never done a masquerade ball before. This will take a classic, timeless New Year’s theme and put our blacklight immersive neon twist on it. It is a fun layout for a party; the main room will be amazing and the second room is going to be a 30-by-60 heated tent outside,” says Keith Woods, co- founder of TC. “There is also a game room and entire room for vendors,” he added.