Mission Man 'Playing for a Cure'
Friday, September 14, 2007
Gary Milholland is more than just your average pizza delivery guy. He's a businessman, a philanthropist and most importantly, a rapper.
Milholland, or "Mission Man" as he's more commonly known, is Oxford's own Eminem. He's Papa John's favorite employee, delivering more than just pizza and breadsticks to hungry customers.
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Milholland quickly became a local celebrity when he started "free-styling" at each of his pizza deliveries in 2004. His "self expressive" and "very honest" rap lyrics have led to a growing fan base, and the production of eight albums since he began rapping at the age of 13.
Milholland had been missing from the Miami community the past few months, taking a break from his Mission Man persona to open a business.
After this short hiatus, Mission Man is at it again, hosting the fourth annual Playing for a Cure concert at Balcony on Sept. 29.
The concert, which benefits the American Cancer Society, was started by Milholland in 2004, on the 10th anniversary of his mother's death.
When his mother, Amy Milholland, died of cancer when he was only 15, Milholland said he turned to his music to help him get through the difficult time in his life.
"I wanted to do something to honor my mom's memory," Milholland said.
Mission Man has played for a cure all over the area, taking his show to Kentucky, Dayton and Cincinnati. While each venue has helped him raise hundreds of dollars for cancer research, he said Oxford is where his real fans are.
This year's concert takes place during Miami's Parents' Weekend, and Milholland said he is confident the show could sell out.
The show will feature local groups Blues Phoenix, Ryan Troescher and Justin Wagner, along with Mission Man.
"These bands can bring 30 to 40 people alone," Milholland said. "So I think there's going to be a great turn out."
To promote the concert, Milholland said he has given out 1,113 demo CDs, sent out invitations on MySpace, created a Facebook group and spoken to publications all over Oxford.
Despite all his efforts, he said he remains nervous about one thing.
"I'm competing with Bill Engvall," he laughed. "So we'll have to see."
With the next Playing for a Cure concert just weeks away, Milholland is already looking further ahead. His next goal? To make his show a Miami ASG sponsored event, he said.
While there have been rumors of retirement, Milholland said that as long as he's making music, there'll be Playing for a Cure.
For more information about Playing for the Cure or Mission Man, visit www.missionman.net.



