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Fawn Man's Music Aids Others By
Rex Rutkoski
"Being able to look in the eyes of the audience during a song, I can feel the connection and the emotions get transmitted back and forth," Buckley said. He is the creator, writer, frontman, leader and namesake of the rock band James. "Our concept is shared by my fellow players, generally speaking, and has captured the interest of a certain fan base which has similar feelings and beliefs. The intent was to take fundamental values, put them to song in a way they could connect with others and move them to think a bit more about their lives," he said. "It is built around this foundation with seasoned players that have formed a strong chemistry and full understanding of the songs and the messages they send." Buckley says he probably always has been a good listener himself. In the 1970s he drove a cab in Pittsburgh for eight years. "I became quite good at listening," he said. "Many of the songs that I had written back then were influenced by people I met and some personal experiences. While initially writing more 'personal experience' songs, I gradually found a way to listen and observe even more attentively and would come across someone whose tale would spawn a song." The latest example is his song "Natalie," the catalyst of which was the daughter of a good friend who came to a party with her dad. "I was so touched by her spirit, enthusiasm and innocence that I began thinking about how each of us has, to varying degrees, lost some layers of each of those qualities from our childhood, and how great it would be to regain some of that as we get older, when we really need it," Buckley said. As he learned more about her, he realized how powerful an example this girl could be for others. "She had some very difficult obstacles to overcome as a child and growing up among peers that sometimes were not very understanding can be trying for any child," he said. "She faced those obstacles bravely and persevered as she proved to herself and others that she would not let those hurdles keep her from happiness and accomplishment." Buckley believes that each of us has a story to tell about our lives. "When I hear these stories, I realize that so many of us have had similar experiences," he said. "We all have some tough times, but through good friends and family we can overcome and be there for the other guy when it's their time." Buckley and James are among many Alle-Kiski musicians who are regularly there for "the other guy," among the first to say "yes" when a benefit show is needed to help someone. That most recently was seen last fall in the flood benefit concerts that Buckley helped organize for local residents devastated by the high water in September. Since last year, Buckley and James have staged benefits for a cancer victim, the Children's Home of Pittsburgh, the battle against Lupus, The Special Olympics, Toys for Tots, Conductive Education and they have one planned for April 16 to benefit Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament School, Natrona Heights, Harrison. "To be able to take a talent that God gave me and turn it into doing something good is one of the reasons why I returned to music," Buckley says. "When you get people together in this way, we all feel the strength and power we have collectively and you leave feeling good about yourself and others see the good that can be done. "The heart leads and the compassion follows. "I believe that life is too short and we need to care about each other more and be there for each other."
Fundraisers help victims By Jason Walker
Buckley sang Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel as "Praha Hotel" to recall the heartache felt by those who lost homes and property Sept. 17. The event was organized by Steve Mitchell, of Harrison, guitarist for the Mannish Boys, Buckley of Fawn, and John Vento, the front man for John Vento and the Nieds Hotel band. The Dam it Festival, at Fawn, was organized by Rick Phillips, a Lower Burrell resident and member of the band Sea of Glass. "It's just doing out part," Mitchell said while listening to James play. He said he doesn't know any of the flood victim's personally, but said it's just a way for them to give back to the community. He said he had no idea how much money the concert would raise. Then he joked that they had a lofty goal. "We want to raise a little more than (Bruce )Springstein when he comes," he said with a laugh. The famous rocker is coming to Pittsburgh soon for a benefit show of his own. Jane Wesolosky of Buffalo was one of the people who decided to come to the show. She said she wanted to support the flood victims and also listen to James. "It's nice to see the community come out and support this," Wesolosky said. Maria Sherer and Lori Hank, both of Harrison also said they wanted to help the flood victims. Hank said her mother, Mildred Spencer, had to be rescued from her home in Buffalo so she knows of all the hard work rescue workers went through as well a some of the struggles flood victims have had to endure. "We're giving back a little bit," Hank said. At the Fawn Tavern, acoustic act Terry McCausland opened up the show with a mix of covers and original songs. He was the first of five acts to play at the tavern. Mike Vasey of New Kensington, and Paul Peterson of Sea of Glass were at the bar awaiting their slot, and also enjoying the other bands. Peterson said his brother Jon Peterson lives in the Kinloch section of Lower Burrell, and flood waters hit his home hard. Paul Peterson said his brother and family have been able to move back in, but the cleanup took a long time, and he lost a lot of stuff. "It was bad," Paul Peterson said. Vasey said he was interested in doing the show because he knows that there's still a lot of people out there that need at lot of help. He also noted that the Holiday season is on its way. "We just want to try to put some food on people's tables," he said. "For Thanksgiving." Jason Walker can be reached at jawalker@tribweb.com or 724-226-4672
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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