Rocking Into Recovery: Ladders to Leaders Brings Benefit Concert Back to Hagerstown

Photos By: Kim Mickel

Article By: Sean Mickel

On Saturday evening, January 10, the Ladders to Leaders recovery program struck a powerful chord at the historic Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown, where they hosted their second annual benefit concert. The event was a resounding success, both musically and for the cause it supported.

The concert series was conceived by Alicia Turner-Divens, president of the Ladders to Leaders board of directors. Alicia, who is married to former Wrathchild America and Souls at Zero frontman and bassist Brad Divens, envisioned a way to merge her passion for recovery advocacy with the deep musical roots of the region. Brad Divens, now a respected front-of-house engineer who has toured with major acts such as Enrique Iglesias and Disturbed, had previously stated that he had no intention of ever performing on stage again, content to stay behind the soundboard. However, Alicia’s proposal for an all-star benefit concert, with all proceeds supporting the Ladders to Leaders program, changed his mind.

This idea led to the inaugural show last year, which reunited Brad with former Wrathchild America and Souls at Zero drummer Shannon Larkin (Godsmack), along with Kix guitarists Brian "Damage" Forsythe and Bob Paré. The event exceeded expectations both musically and in its impact on the recovery community. With the success of the first concert still resonating, Alicia and the musicians agreed to take things to the next level.

A Bigger, Bolder Show

Everything about this year's show was bigger and better. More auction items were available, including four Ladders to Leaders-themed guitars. The setlist was extended, featuring new songs, and the lineup was expanded to include special guest performances. Doug Pinnick of King's X, Disturbed bassist John Moyer, and legendary Kix drummer Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant all stepped in for a couple of tunes, adding to the excitement.

The concert kicked off with a high-energy opening, featuring classic rock anthems that set the tone for the night. AC/DC’s Riff Raff was followed by Aerosmith’s Let the Music Do the Talking and The Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar, all songs that would heavily influence the rest of the evening. The crowd was treated to Zeppelin classics like Moby Dick, and songs by The Beatles, Rod Stewart, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and ZZ Top’s Jesus Just Left Chicago. The energy was electric as the band, despite only having four days of rehearsal, showcased their incredible talent and chemistry.

Brad’s ability to mimic almost any vocalist while maintaining his unique tone was on full display, and his bass playing was precise and powerful. His partnership with Shannon was flawless, with the two of them locked in and sharing a deep musical connection, even after three decades of not playing together. Shannon’s energy behind the drum kit was contagious, and he seemed to be feeding off the crowd’s excitement, his sticks becoming an extension of himself as he drove the band forward.

The ensemble was tight, with Brian and Bob trading lead and rhythm duties seamlessly, and the entire band seemed to enjoy every moment on stage. The night also featured songs from Brad and Shannon’s 1990s band, Back Alley Gators, with Just Like Your Mama Did receiving a warm welcome from the crowd.

Special Guest Appearances & High-Energy Performances

After more Aerosmith, AC/DC, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the first special guest of the evening arrived—Doug Pinnick. The longtime King's X frontman took over vocal and bass duties while Brad switched to guitar, adding extra rhythm for the performance. Doug’s powerful vocals channeled his inner Phil Lynott for Jailbreak, and his Jimi Hendrix-inspired renditions of Foxy Lady and Voodoo Child left the crowd roaring with approval. In fact, Shannon’s energy was so high during rehearsal for Voodoo Child that he tore through the kick drum head, which later became one of the auction items. Doug exited to a huge round of applause, and next up was John Moyer, who brought his signature high-energy style to the stage for an explosive rendition of AC/DC’s Dog Eat Dog. Moyer bounced around the stage with boundless enthusiasm, and the crowd was right there with him.

The vibe shifted as the band took a seat, grabbing acoustic guitars and bongos for a more laid-back segment. Dressed in caps, they delivered spot-on renditions of Ooh La La by Faces and Jane Says by Jane’s Addiction, with Brad’s vocal range showcased beautifully during the latter. After the acoustic break, the mood changed again with The Rolling Stones’ Can't Always Get What You Want, leading into what became one of the night’s highlights.

Punk Rock Surprise

Jimmy "Chocolate" Chalfant replaced Shannon behind the drum kit, but instead of a Kix song—what many had expected—the band switched gears and dove into punk. Shannon grabbed the mic and belted out Slave to My Dick, the classic 1980 track by Subhumans, a song he’d performed back in the club 40 years ago. Next, the band delivered a raucous version of I Did It My Way, not the Frank Sinatra version, but the Sex Pistols’ iconic take. Shannon, channeling Sid Vicious, gave a raw, unpolished performance, complete with him lying on the stage with his head hanging back over the edge, fully embracing the chaotic energy of the moment. Jimmy played flawlessly, and the crowd ate it up.

The Grand Finale

Jimmy relinquished the kit back to Shannon as the crowd was treated to one of the night’s most anticipated moments, a block of Wrathchild songs. Danger Us from their 1983 promotional demo, and No Deposit, No Return, two fan favorites that transported Wrathchild’s loyal followers back to 80’s. The band finally played a Kix song, Love Pollution from the 1983 Cool Kids album, a track Brad just so happened to play guitar on. The night wrapped up with a powerful medley starting with The Rolling Stones’ Can’t You Hear Me Knocking, which smoothly transitioned into Peter Frampton’s Do You Feel Like We Do, complete with Bob’s signature talk box solo. The band finished the show to a well-deserved standing

A Night to Remember

It was an incredible evening of music—eclectic, energetic, and full of heart—benefiting an amazing cause. The Ladders to Leaders program continues to provide vital support to those in recovery, and this concert series has proven to be an invaluable part of that mission. Thanks to the band, the crew, the volunteers, and all those involved, the night was a huge success. There are already talks of a third concert next year, and rest assured, Rock Rapture will be there to bring the live music experience to you through photos.