A community has helped a local musician, who lost his home in a fire, by setting up a benefit concert to help him get back on his feet.
Todd Austin, an electric guitarist, known for his high energy and colorful performances has played a more somber song of late.
The musician known as Toddzilla by most of his fans lost his East Nashville home in a fire.
"At this point, it looks like the whole house is probably going to have to come down," Austin said.
He's lived in his home for 21 years. Officials believed an electrical failure in the basement caused the fire.
Austin was away on vacation when a house-sitter alerted him about the fire.
Seven of his cats died. One survived.
"We had a lot of great times and a lot of good memories in this kitchen. It was one of the main reasons why I bought this place because I walked in and I saw this huge kitchen it was just phenomenal," he said.
Since the fire, friends have set up a gofundme account for Austin to help him get back on his feet.
"That gofundme thing is up to about $37,000 that's beyond viral. The way the Nashville community has responded people coming into the store where I worked and expressing their condolences and handing me gifts it's just that in and of itself is overwhelming," he said.
Fire also destroyed his 1964 Corvette Stingray, Betty. The only thing he has to remember the vehicle is a spare hubcap.
Austin admits despite his loss, he's encouraged to press forward.
The benefit concert will be held on Saturday, July 1 at The Basement East. Tickets are $10. The concert starts at 8 p.m.
