Rock On At The Hard Rock For First Responders

Paying homage to as well as raising funds for the families of Tampa Bay's fallen first responders, local rock groups Scream Machine and Pitbull Toddler are joining forces with Cox Media to present a First Responders Tribute.

The benefit concert will take place Friday, Aug. 9 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, 5223 N. Orient Rd., Tampa. 

The donation to attend is $10 and proceeds from the concert will go to first responder charities including the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office's Lynn Sowers Memorial Foundation and the Hillsborough Firefighters Benevolent Relief Fund.

The concert holds special meaning for Scream Machine guitarist and lead singer Jay Hajj Jr. of Lutz. A Hillsborough County community resource deputy, Hajj is quick to volunteer the band whenever there's a cause to benefit the men and women who put their lives on the line every day.

A lifelong rock n' roller, Hajj formed Scream Machine three years ago with friend and bassist Brad Keith of Valrico, who retired after working 15 years as a commercial airline pilot for Express Jet Airlines. 

Scream Machine's drummer, Del Westcott, is retired from the Air Force and now works as a civilian employee at MacDill Air Force Base. 

And guitarist Craig Johnston was a professional poker player who currently works as a casino card dealer. 

Scream Machine's first concert was a charity fundraiser for the families of St. Petersburg Police officers Tom Baitinger and Jeffrey Yazlowitz at Gaspars Grotto in Ybor City.  

The band also performed at the Our Fallen Heroes Benefit Concert at Jannus Landing in St. Petersburg to benefit the families of fallen Tampa Police officers David Curtis and Jeff Kocab, 

In December, Scream Machine performed at a benefit for Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Deputy Dan Witt, who lost his battle against cancer this year. 

"I never thought in my early years that this love for music and live performance would be used to help so many others, but I'm glad I have the opportunity to keep doing this," said Hajj. "I jumped at the opportunity to play at this upcoming Hard Rock show. I think it's going to a huge success

The foursome stays busy on weekends with gigs at clubs around Tampa Bay. 

For this benefit concert, Scream Machine will team up with the Pitbull Toddler band, headed by Mike "Cowhead" Calta of The Cowhead Show on Radio 102.5 "The Bone." 

For more information, see the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Facebook page.