2nd Annual Telethon In Honor of Student Killed in Car Accident

Back in July of 2020, my college community lost a great student, an incredible musician, and an irreplaceable friend. Kyle Robinson was a grade below me at The College of Saint Rose in Albany, New York. He, too, was a Music Industry Major. I remember collaborating with him in ensembles and working sound for concerts that he was performing in. He had an incredible mind and ear for music, had a terrific voice, and had an overall star-power about him. Most of all, he had the ability to make anyone feel important.

There are very few people that I have ever met that have been described by so many as their best friend. His passing was a difficult one for the music department and the college as a whole. Shortly after his passing, I put together an episode of Saint Rose Rocks, a music-based web series I used to run for the school, up in his honor.

Not long after his passing, many of his closest friends banded together to create the Kyle Robinson Memorial Foundation. The foundation has done a lot of good already in Kyle's name, and this weekend, they will be holding their second annual telethon. In a press release, the foundation said:

The KRMF was founded by friends and family of talented and skillful musician Kyle Robinson (1999- 2020), who tragically passed away in a car accident in the summer of 2020. Ever since, his loved ones have vouched to commemorate his spirit by raising funds to provide scholarships for college students pursuing careers in the music industry, in the likeness of Kyle’s kind spirit of collaboration and support.

The Kyle Robinson Memorial Foundation 2nd Annual KRMF Telethon is a 12+ hour fundraising online concert meant to celebrate the life of Kyle Robinson on his birthday with a full day of online performances and music. The event will run from 10AM-10PM ET, March 20th, 2022.

Kyle Robinson Memorial Foundation

Audiences from home can stream the event live on the KRMF YouTube Channel, and they can donate to the foundation’s cause while enjoying performances from entertainers all across the nation.

I remember watching last year's telethon and being absolutely blown away. Not just by the talent, but the outpouring of love for Kyle. The release continued saying:

After last year’s successful telethon, the foundation also launched their first $5,000 Kyle Robinson Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to an outstanding student in higher education who is pursuing a music industry career. Applications are currently being accepted on the KRMF Website, until April 15th, 2022.

Victoria Christie, the Creative Director of KRMF, had this to say about the event:

“Our expectations were topped as we reached and surpassed our fundraising goal at last year’s telethon and we can’t wait to showcase the artists in this year’s line up.”

Before Kyle passed away, he blessed us with a fantastic music video cover of a song that we all know and love here on WRRV. The description on the YouTube channel reads:

Kyle Robinson was a freshman in high school when he first did a cover of "Yellow". For Father's Day, of 2020, Kyle did another cover of "Yellow" for his dad, who had been asking Kyle to record the song again. Kyle released this video of "Yellow" on June 21st, just in time for Father's Day.

On July 6, 2020, Kyle passed away in a tragic car accident with no fault of his own. This video has taken on a life of its own since it was released.

Kyle would have been a senior at The College of Saint Rose, majoring in Music Industry with a minor in Business. He will be remembered as a son, brother, cousin, nephew, grandson, and friend to all who knew him. He was also a songwriter, performer, producer, band mate, drummer, and guitarist. He will always be remembered for his unforgettable performances on the melodica, keyboard, and tambourine.

"Yellow" will always have a special place in our hearts and will always be remembered.

You can watch his cover of "Yellow" by Coldplay here:

The list of musical artists expected to play this year's telethon includes: