DURHAMVILLE, N.Y. — An Upstate New York man is looking for his biological father — and is hoping people who attended the first “K-Rockathon” concert 20 years ago can help.
On Wednesday, 18-year-old Jette Collins, of Durhamville, N.Y., posted a photo to his Facebook page of himself holding a sign asking others to help find his biological father, Jason, who his mother Diana Collins met at the concert back in 1996.
The post reads:
“I am looking for a man by the name of Jason that lived in Syracuse, NY in 1996,” the sign reads. “He went to the first K-Rockathon in 1996 and met a girl named Diana Collins. I am the product of that night. I am not asking for anything. Just would like to meet my biological father.”
The first K-Rockathon concert was held at Vernon Downs near Verona on July 28, 1996.
Performers included ’90s groups like Butthole Surfers, Poe, Reverend Horton Heat, The Refreshments and The Verve Pipe.
Nine months later, Jette Collins was born.
Collins, a Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School graduate, turns 19 next month. Collins said his mother met his father at the concert and all she knows is that his name is Jason and that he lived in Syracuse. Collins said his mother has always been honest about the story and supports him in finding his father.
“I don’t want anything from him,” Collins said in a phone interview with PIX11 News. “I just want us to have the opportunity to meet — I want him to know he has a son.”
Collins said he’s been flooded with messages from people who possibly knew his father, but no real leads yet.
Collins is hopeful, though, and said after posting the plea, he was at a Chinese buffet and his fortune read, “luck is coming your way.”
“I think that is a good sign,” Collins said, who adds that he chose Facebook to conduct the search due to all the success stories of loved ones reuniting in recent years.
For now, Collins will continue to attend classes at Mohawk Valley Community College and work two jobs while hoping to hear news of his father.
“I don’t know if this actually works but I’m going to try it, just hoping for the best and a little luck. Help a kid out,” Collins wrote on Facebook.
K-Rock radio personality Rainman shared Collins’ photo on Twitter, adding that his journey especially hits close to home.
