December 27, 2025

A Benefit Show for AJ at The Rock, Tucson

 (by Shay Smith / Jason Taylor)

This holiday season didn’t exactly start on a high note for Tucson’s music community. In November, word started to spread that The Rock, one of those rare, no-frills venues that feels more like home than a business, might be lost to apartment development. Then, just as December rolled in, the news got heavier. AJ, a local musician known to many as “Cowboy,” lost his home and nearly everything he owned in a devastating fire. If there’s one thing Tucson’s music scene has never been good at, it’s accepting bad luck without a fight. Instead of throwing up its hands, the community did what it always does—it showed up.

AJ’s journey into music is the kind that feels honest and earned. After moving to the area eight years ago, he picked up his first guitar seven years back and taught himself how to play and sing. What started as curiosity turned into something deeper. Music became a calling, a way to tell his story, to connect, and to be real with people who recognized themselves in his songs.

Early on, a small venue just north of Tucson gave AJ a chance, regular gigs, an open door, and a sense of belonging. That space, and the people inside it, helped shape him as an artist. To this day, he still gives back by hosting karaoke there. As time went on, that circle widened, and the larger Tucson music family became an equally important part of his life and growth.

Then, three weeks ago, everything changed. A house fire took AJ’s home and belongings, leaving him with only a few guitars, some clothes, his vehicle, and his pet. It’s the kind of loss that can knock the wind out of anyone. But almost immediately, friends stepped in and got to work, organizing a benefit show, not out of obligation, but out of love.

On December 19th, The Rock became the place it’s always been at its best: a gathering spot for community. The night was packed with music from the hip-hop/rap group Hidden Hand, the wildly energetic Flying Half Full, and The JACK, who brought the house down with their AC/DC tribute. Between sets, DJ Looney kept the vibe alive, while Jason “Tenn” Taylor held things together as MC and raffle wrangler.

The raffle itself was a perfect reflection of Tucson’s generosity, made possible by an incredible list of sponsors and donors: Tucson Hellhounds/ACW, Hell Doubt, Zona Precision Laser, State of Art Tattoo Studio, Everlasting Pics, 7Heads Screen Printing, Auto MD, Prowess, and Fer Del Callejo Design. For more than five hours, the best of Tucson showed up. Old friends hugged, new friendships were made, the music was loud, the energy was real, and above all, one of our own was lifted up when he needed it most.

Yeah, the holidays may have started rough, but nights like this remind you why this scene matters. AJ felt the love, the support, and the reminder that he’s not walking this road alone. And in a bit of poetic timing, before the month was over, the news broke that The Rock would not be replaced by apartments after all. Somehow, things turned around. Here’s hoping that momentum carries us forward, and that 2026 takes good care of all of us—especially the people who keep showing up, playing loud, and looking out for each other.

To view photos of the event…

CLICK HERE