Songwriters to Honor the Late Patricio Tower with Memorial Service, Show and Silent Auction

            NASHVILLE, Tenn. (November 2014) -- Nashville area songwriters will take the stage at two separate events on Nov. 15 (Saturday) to honor the late Patricio Tower, an aspiring songwriter and taxi driver who died from a heart attack after suffering a brutal beating in downtown Nashville.

Patricio Tower

 

          Tower will be honored during a memorial service from 1-3 p.m. at the Center for Spiritual Living Nashville, 6705 Charlotte Pike in West Nashville. Tunesmiths also will put on a special songwriters show and silent auction in his memory from 6-7 p.m. at the Commodore Lounge, 2613 West End Ave. More than a dozen songwriters will perform at the events, including Lisa Aschmann, Michael Laidley, and Chuck Whiting. Donations from both events will help cover Patricio's medical and funeral expenses and provide support for his widow, Roxanne. 

         "Patricio was a wonderful, kind and giving man who was loved by many in the Nashville songwriting community," said long-time friend and co-writer Michael Laidley. "Losing him in such a tragic, senseless way is an absolute shock." 

          Witnesses reported that Patricio was attacked on Oct. 31 shortly after he arrived at a United Neighborhood Health Services clinic to pick up medical prescriptions. The 57-year-old taxi driver was rushed to Centennial Medical Center with a broken jaw, broken collarbones, fractured ribs, and a severely injured eye. He died from a heart attack following emergency reconstructive surgery.

Patricio and Roxanne Tower

 

          Roxanne, who is recovering from a head injury sustained in an automobile accident, continues to live at the couple's home in Old Hickory. The Towers' adjusted gross income ("in the uninsurable income gap") disqualified them from receiving medical insurance through Obamacare or Medicare. Roxanne hopes to continue operating the taxi vehicle they rented. 

          Donations may be made to the Patricio Tower Memorial/Medical Fund at http://www.gofundme.com/ggi660. To donate items for the silent auction on Saturday night, contact Michael Laidley at (615) 947-6726 or Michael.Laidley@ymail.com.