PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A survivor of the South Street mass shooting on June 4 says music has helped him recover.
Rusty Crowell, of the duo Rusty and Jan, says his new mantra is making the most of his time by doing what makes him happy. Crowel has been playing music with his wife, Jan Alba, for more than 20 years.
On that Saturday night in June, Crowell was checking out a band inside Dobbs on South Street, near South Third Street. He stepped outside when he heard gunfire.
"They rushed us all inside, I looked down and realized I was injured,” said Crowell, one of the people injured. Three victims were killed.
"I never thought I would ever have to take care of a bullet wound,” said Alba, who plays flute in their duo. “It's just something I thought I'd never go through."
The scar behind Crowell’s knee, where he was hit, has been fading, but the guitarist has seen his passion for music only grow.
Since it happened, Crowell says he has experienced an outpouring of love and support, both locally and from people across the world.
"It was just overwhelming, and made me feel that my purpose in music was right,” said Crowell.
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"Life is short, and it's scary, but it's no option to stay inside. It's time to come out from under and hear some music."
Rusty and Jan can often be found at the Cosmic Café on Kelly Drive at Boathouse Row, hosting open-mic nights and playing together.
"It was our saving grace,” said Alba. “It was, a lot of times, the only thing that felt normal to us, getting out to play some music."
And today, that grace, that piece of normality, continues to bring joy to the duo and to others. As Crowell puts it, "Spend as much time as you can doing what makes you happy.”