David Cook headlines benefit concert for Grain Valley's Brandon Claxton

by Bill Althaus, Grain Valley News


Blue Springs South High School graduate David Cook attracted the national spotlight and performed around the world after winning the 2008 American Idol competition.

And none of those concerts meant more to Cook than a Saturday night benefit event at the Blue Springs South performing Arts Center.

The 2001 South graduate was the singer everyone in Eastern Jackson County voted for when he starred on American Idol, and now, he's giving back to a friend, and a community that gave so much to him during his historic run on the popular singing/songwriting television series.

When Cook learned that his fourth-grade football teammate and former South classmate Brandon Claxton, a lieutenant on the Blue Springs Police Department who now lives in Grain Valley, was diagnosed with cancer he asked how he could help.

What makes Claxton's diagnosis even more heartbreaking is that his wife recently died of cancer, leaving him with four young children to raise.

He has Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a group of cancers that affect the lymphatic system.

The Blue Springs Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association began a series of fundraisers to help defray Claxton's medical and travel expenses to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

And one of the first individuals who asked how he could help was Cook.

“David is an amazing young man who has always cared about his community and his friends, like Brandon,” said BSCPAAA representative Paula Pickett.

“This is a benefit event – all the money will go to Brandon and his family. We worked with David and his representatives and were able to make this happen – God bless him.”

Cook and his crew were among the first to arrive at South late Saturday afternoon, on the same stage where he performed in “Singing in the Rain,” “The Music Man” and “West Side Story” while at student at South.

As he sat in the empty auditorium, the memories began to wash over him like waves.

“I am a huge ball of anxiety and excitement right now,” Cook said, when asked about his return to Blue Springs. “When I heard about what Brandon, who is a pillar in the community, I wanted to help.

“I played fourth grade little league football with Brandon and his dad was our coach. Brandon's story is heartbreaking, when you think about a husband who lost his wife to cancer. He has four young kids, and now they are here to love and support their dad.

“I know Brandon's mother Linda has been an inspiration for her son and so many people in this loving community are doing all they can to support him.”

Claxton and several members of his family arrived at the high school and were overwhelmed by the items in the silent auction and the number of volunteers who this magical night happen.

“I've known David since we were in fourth grade,” Claxton said, while he held his 6-year-old daughter Brylie. “It's amazing he's coming back to do this benefit concert. But that's the type of guy David is – he cares about everyone and has a big heart.”

Claxton's mother, Linda, said she watched every episode of “American Idol,” during the 2008 season.

“I watched David, all my friends and family voted for David, and now he's back in Blue Springs to help my son and his family,” Linda said. “We've all been blown away by the love and support of our community, and we're so thankful to everyone who has helped us get through this.”

While Claxton did his best to avoid the spotlight, his 12-year-old son Benson, who attends Grain Valley North Middle School, handled questions like a veteran of the music industry.

“When we got here, I looked around and saw all the volunteers and everyone setting up for the concert and I was like, 'They're doing all this for my dad,'” Benson said.

“And that is so cool. My dad has helped so many people (over the past 20 years) with the police department and now, they're helping him.”

The silent auction – that included many Kansas City Chiefs and Royals signed items and tickets, along with an array of gift baskets – and the concert raised $22,000, all of which will go to Claxton.”

Pickett added that more than $2,000 in donations was raised during the event.

“We also had a Bingo Night at Sandy's Restaurant in Blue Springs,” Pickett said, “and that raised $20,000. So we just want to thank everyone for being so generous and showing up for Brandon and his family.”

If anyone would like to make a contribution to the Claxton fund please go to: bscpa.org/claxtons-shield.
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Blue Springs South High School graduate and American Idol winner David Cook, left, visits with his longtime friend and former classmate Brandon Claxton, a lieutenant in the Blue Springs Police Department who is battling cancer. Cook returned home to headline a benefit concert Saturday night at Blue Springs South that raised $22,000 for Claxton, a Grain Valley resident. Photo credit: Bill Althaus

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