LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With shootings becoming more and more prevalent in today’s society, eventually everyone will be less that six degrees of separation from a victim. On April 10, the worst happened in the city of Louisville at the Old National Bank, and one of those victims was closely connected to a familiar face in Lynchburg.

One of the Louisville victims was Joshua Barrick. Barrick and Jack Daniel’s Visitor Center Director Erik Brown were best friends. In fact, Barrick served as the best man in Brown’s wedding.

In conjunction with friends and members of the bourbon industry, a rare bourbon bottle fundraiser will begin virtually on Friday. May 12. All proceeds will go directly to support Joshua’s wife, Jessica, and their children, James (7) and Carolina (9). All of the proceeds will go to a trust that has been setup for the family.

“Josh was an amazing friend, extremely generous and kind,” Brown told us. “I would do anything for him and it is wonderful to see the whiskey industry support his family after this tragic event. I’m very appreciative of Ryan Cecil and the Frazier History Museum for making this happen.”

The fundraiser includes over 130 rare bottles including many Jack Daniel bottles from Brown’s private collection. Other rare items include a King of Kentucky 18 Year, Willett Family Estate 17 Year, Old Fitzgerald 15 Year, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year, and multiple Old Forester Birthday Bourbons. In addition, exclusive experiences have been added such as a complete Bulliet barrel pick, a seat at Meat Church BBQ School, and a Mint Julep Bourbon Trail Tour for 10.

The Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchurg also added a Jack VIP Experience to the fundraiser. It includes an overnight stay at one of the Airstreams located at Barbecue Hill and a VIP tour of the distillery. The estimated value of the Experience is $2,500. The Jack Daniel’s Marketing Department also donated multiple rare and one-of-a-kind items.

The proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to a trust, providing the family a future means of financial support. The bourbon community has already shown an outpouring of love and support, and this fundraiser is just one more way to help the Barrick family.

“We are deeply grateful for the support and generosity of the bourbon community during this trying time,” said Ryan Cecil, Bourbon Pursuit host and fundraiser organizer. “Joshua is a part of our community, and we want to do everything we can to support him and his children.”

The fundraiser is open for donations until 11:59 PM ET on Friday, May 12th 2023. A livestream will be held on Monday, May 15th at 8:00 PM ET where winners will be drawn for individual prizes and lots. To participate, visit https://bourbonpursuit.rallyup.com/barrick-family/Campaign/Details. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently-owned, community newspaper located in Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We tells the stories of local folks here in Lynchburg as well as those happening across Tennessee and the American South that we believe may be of interest to our readers. Like what we’re doing? You can support us for just $5 per month by following this link.}