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Musicians share talent for flood-relief efforts
The Dam It Festival
will offer five bands at 7 p.m. at the Fawn Tavern, Bull Creek Road,
Fawn: Sea of Glass, Filthy Gringo, After the Fall, Kaj and Step 11.
Solo vocalist and acoustic guitarist Terry McCausland also is scheduled
to perform. "I live in Natrona Heights and saw the devastation that hit my neighbors in Tarentum," Mitchell says. "Also, Phil LaRusse, my close personal friend, was affected with his business in Tarentum (LaRusse Distributing), and I thought if anyone ever does anything to help people in the Valley, it is LaRusse Distributing. They always step up and support community efforts. I know Phil would not take fund relief, but his friend doing something in his name and footsteps is an appropriate and deserved recognition to him." Mitchell also credits Buckley and Vento for their efforts. "They have done more than just agree to play at the show. They have helped beyond words. We might make this a tour of the Valley hollows to keep raising money for what was the real Black Friday in the A-K Valley." This is more than just about raising money, Buckley says. "It is people coming together to help each other out and raising the awareness another notch," he says. "The word 'unity' is part of the word 'community.' " Music has become a powerful vehicle to help others, Vento adds. The strength of this bill? Vento: "Their hearts." Musicians always are willing to come forward to help a worthy cause, says Dave Montanari of Fawn, manager of the Fawn Tavern. "That's because they are kind people. They are sharing their talent," he says. The Dam It Festival "is about helping our neighbors," Montanari says. "People in Fawn are rather resilient. A lot of these folks dug in and wouldn't ask for help if they had to," he says. "We were fortunate not to have any flooding here at the Tavern. We thought this benefit was the least we could do." The hope is to relieve some suffering and perhaps put something on tables at Thanksgiving, "or maybe even a table if they need one," says Rick Phillips of Sea of Glass, organizer of the Fawn Tavern show. The Lower Burrell resident says there are many reasons why musicians and other creative people so often are among the first to step forward to aid a good cause. "Perhaps it is that many of us live on nothing and can relate? Perhaps it's that we have to think about our communities quite a bit and rely on them so much in what we do that it would be unthinkable not to give something back," he says. "I also believe that artists have a heightened sensibility for it (the welfare of others), because we are always communicating and expressing ourselves, always reaching out." Musician John Fox of Springdale, a member of the Neid's Hotel Band, is unemployed, but it is important to him to lend a helping hand "For me, personally, it was just the way I was raised," he says. "Musicians and other artists have a certain passion for this." That does not surprise Bob Lokar, manager of the Businessmen, who will be giving of their time at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. They will be playing the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve unit's Toys for Tots benefit show at Zanders at Palmieri's restaurant, Old Frankstown Road, Plum. John Vento will join them after his Nied's Hotel Band set at the Praha, as will members of James. "Musicians have an inner feeling about these things. Most of the time, musicians have struggled in their own lives," Lokar says. "They know what it's like to play to an empty room, to be canceled because they didn't have a big showing the first time. They want to help people out. Every musician I've ever run into is the same. They are very, very big hearted." Natrona resident Steve Cunich of Filthy Gringo says the duo, who play their spirited brand of Americana, are looking forward to the Fawn Tavern opportunity. "It's nice doing something for people who have suffered adversity," he says. 'We hope it helps them to know that people care and are willing to lend a hand." Jim Buckley offers another perspective: "I wouldn't say that we musicians come to the rescue as much as we give people some entertainment while they come together and donate to a good cause,. They are the ones that are the rescuers. "And there's the community involvement and surrounding communities. Many of our followers have been attending many other benefits that we have participated in and are all of a giving, caring heart. They enjoy coming to hear us play and would rather their money went to a worthy cause." Those who come to the Praha should expect to be well entertained, he says. "We do not give any less effort for these than we do for non-benefits. As a matter of fact, we may elevate our enthusiasm even more for good causes," Buckley says. "I would tell people to come and have fun, enjoy the music and if they can help the cause, great. If not, then their attendance may help all of us think of how much power we have in numbers." Rock 'n' roll will be the foundation of the evening at the Praha. "But since there are four different bands involved, you get a variety of performers each with their own personality and styles," Buckley says. John Vento: "It will be good music, good fun, great cause." As it will at the Fawn Tavern, Sea of Glass' Rick Phillips says. "People will hear a variety of music from bands that are very good at what they do," he says. "You can expect to see a lot of people with a lot of enthusiasm working together to do something worthwhile and have an awesome time doing it." Another benefit show The Allegheny Valley Musicians For Flood Relief also plan a benefit show from 7 to 11 p.m. Dec. 4 at the CIS/Installers Building, 10 Plum Street, Verona. Performers will include Stephen Christopher at 7 p.m.; James at 8; The Russell Lauf Band at 9 and John Vento and the Nied's Hotel Band at 10. Tickets cost $20 and can be bought in advance by calling: 412-826-9526, Ext. 112; or the Network of Hope at 412-492-4030 or www.networkofhope.org.
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