802 For Axel Benefit Honors Vermont Music’s Biggest Fan

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT. - On a recent, cool Friday night at The Venue in South Burlington, friends and family of the late William (Bill) “Axel” Ringwig gathered together to rejoice and celebrate the life of a man who loved, promoted and breathed the Vermont music scene arguably, like no other fan.

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Photos courtesy of Rock The 802 1. Taylor Arsenault of Rock the 802 and Travis Ringwig (Axel's nephew) display an "802 for Axel" bandana onstage 2. Stone Bullet performs 3. W.A.R. Machine cranks it up 4.The 802 for Axel bandana

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Organized by many and spearheaded by our friends Teri Richer and Taylor Arsenault of Rock the 802 – the very promotional machine founded by Axel to promote all things music in the Green Mountain State – The Venue hosted this truly epic, kick-ass music celebration featuring nine area bands which were all happy to donate their time and music to honor the man they call Axel. All the funds generated from the event were donated to the recently created “Axel Foundation,” a music scholarship fund created in his honor.

The Venue was packed and rocked the night away with a heavy-hitting lineup of homegrown Vermont bands including Justice, MindTrap, Quadra, Stone Bullet, Last Words, Nightrain, Barbie-N-Bones, Pleasure Dome and the recently formed W.A.R.(or William Axel Ringwig) Machine, a band specifically created to honor Axel and featuring musicians from the aforementioned bands Pleasure Dome, Justice, Nightrain and also Area 51.

“The show was incredible,” Teri Richer of Rock the 802 stated the following day. “We don't think it could have gone any better and Axel would have definitely been proud of the local music scene that night! There are so many people to thank and we couldn't have done it without all the help we received, including a huge thanks to The Venue for hosting our show and all the great bands who performed.”

Several others folks and businesses also contributed their time, talent and items for the benefit including Advance Music, All Out Grafix & Design, Argento Laraine Fine Jewelry, Centerpiece Florist, The Champlain Valley Fair, Poulin Auto Sales, The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa and comedian Rusty DeWees.

“Saturday was just incredible,” said Travis Ringwig, Axel’s nephew. “Axel’s legacy was to support local music, which he did so well via Rock the 802. I have to name-drop here… Teri Richer and Taylor Arsenault – I love and respect you both for all you have done to create this event.”

More special thanks also go out to Tom Dunn at All Out Grafix for his graphic design work for the event, Ashley George and Jens Fulkerson for working at the door and sales table, Debbie Yandow for selling raffle tickets, Jon Mongeon for donating a large portion of his raffle winnings back to the benefit, Crystal Hayford for making a generous donation and all the wonderful staff at The Venue.

“The show was awesome… it really showed how much the people loved Axel,” said Taylor Arsenault of Rock the 802, Area 51 and of course, W.A.R. Machine. “I really can’t thank The Venue and all the bands enough for all the work they did. All the bands really stepped up and put on some of the best sets I've seen in a long time. Thank you to all who came to support the biggest supporter of the local music scene. Axel would have definitely been proud… this was truly an epic event.”

“Of course, we also want to thank Axel’s family and all the music fans that came out to the show,” Teri concluded. “Axel really would have loved this and we are so happy that everyone came together to celebrate him! See you all next time and remember to always ‘Rock the 802!’”

The event generated over $5,000, which has been donated to the Axel Foundation. If you would like to make a contribution to this music scholarship fund, please contact Rock the 802’s Teri Richer at and as always, we thank you for supporting the local Vermont music scene, along with the man who did everything he could to promote it.

Editor’s Note: This article follows last month’s Cidermag.com cover story honoring Mr. Ringwig, which was also printed and distributed to family, friends and musicians alike at this wonderful tribute concert. Cider is proud to have played a small part in celebrating Axel’s dedication to promoting the Vermont music scene and vow to do whatever we can to help this cause and the music scene it represents moving forward.