Ted Hennessy, Scott Smith, Holly, Evan and Graham Tichy
When your son is in a band, you tend to spend a lot of time watching him perform.
Unfortunately, that also means you miss a lot of other bands. The worst part of that is you don’t spend enough time checking out new ones. Well, on Friday, that wasn’t much of a problem when 18 bands descended on Valentines for the Local 518 Rock n Relief for Victims of Hurricane Irene. It was the perfect opportunity to blend my responsibility as a parent and enjoy listening to some great bands.
The benefit was the result of a Facebook post from Denise Borden asking WEXT about doing a benefit. Next thing, Eric Halder of Charmboy, took up the challenge and in less than a week, threw it all together.
As much as I tried, I could not get to see everyone, but what I did see was wonderful. Cooperation was the order of the evening as each band moved on and off the stage quickly in order to stick to the rigid schedule, at least downstairs, where I spent most of my time. The camaraderie of the musicians was also outstanding, as most of the bands stuck around after their half hour set to listen to the others.
Several of the bands, including the Charlie Watts Riots and John Scarpulla (with full band), had just finished with the Local Legends Live at the Empire State Plaza earlier in the day – I believe John had also done a benefit at Red Square as well. While it is easy for a singer-song writer to speak for themselves and volunteer for a benefit gig, entire bands made up most of the roster.
Some had even put together a special band just for the evening. Generally, Holly and Evan (my son) perform as a duo, but he wanted to put on one-of-a-kind performance and invited guitarslinger Graham Tichy and frequent guest Ted Hennessy (harmonica player extraordinaire) to sit in. Evan invited the drummer from Charmboy, Scott Smith, to also join in the fun, literally at the last second as they were heading up to the stage. It was impossible to tell that this group had never practiced together. Although this was the highlight of the evening for me, Graham was not done – he also sat in with the Knyghts of Fuzz.
When shows are put together, great care is taken to match the opening artists with the headliner. When a benefit is put together this quickly and with this many acts, the diversity is outstanding. The evening went from the solo acoustic performer Bear Grass to the high energy of the Blisterz. The only disappointment I had is that so many acts were on the stage at the same time. I only caught the last minute of the last song of Ben KN, and I had to leave before the end. And I although I saw Eric announcing the bands and Scott Smith play, I didn’t see Charmboy.
Luckily, I left when I did. I arrived home to find the power was out at home due to a transmission tower falling into the Mohawk – another reminder of what the benefit was for. If I missed your band, I truly apologize, but there was so much going on. For a full line-up, please see the Nippertown post.
The night was very successful as it raised $1,846 dollars for the Schoharie County Community Action Program Inc. and the Fulmont Community Action Agency. Chris Wienk from WEXT was also in attendance, thanking the crowd for their support of local music and these two charities.
Review and photographs by Ed Conway
Bear Grass and The Realside
The Charlie Watts Riots
Knyghts of Fuzz with Graham Tichy
John Scarpulla
Tags: Albany, Ed Conway, Local 518 Rock N Relief Fundraiser, Valentine's Music Hall
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Actually we went from the lovely BearGrass to the high energy of Hot Cousin THEN the blisterz! Yay!
Hail Hail Rock and Roll!
It was a great night and I was honored to be a part of it. Had my fellow Swamp Baby bandmates in the rhythm section, (Nick Matulis on bass, and the justly lauded Frank Moscowitz on drums!)
Here’s the setlist for those who missed it (all originals except for the Skip Spence/Springsteen mashup):
Mike Hotter / Moon Divers Set list
Valentines, Albany, NY
9/9/2011
1 – Room to Land
2 – Friends
3 – Little Hands/Born in the USA
4 – Citizen of the World
5 – The Everlasting Mirror
6 – The Garden Below
Thanks Ed, for the review!
Man, this was an amazing night and helped me realize that we’ve got one of the most diverse, thriving and caring music scenes anywhere. I’ve lived in a few different areas and I say with the utmost sincerity that nothing else even comes close! One minor clarification… the photo up top to the right of Bear Grass (Katie) is actually Tom McWatters, not The Realside. 18 acts! I had trouble keeping them all straight too!!!
Huge thanks to everyone involved, including musicians, volunteers, bakers, Chris Wienk and WEXT, Howard and Mike at Valentines. Here’s a small list of those who helped… I’m sure I forgot some people so feel free to add on:
Thanks:
Colleen McWatters – Conceptualized and organized raffle, Got a ton of great contributions for the raffle. Pushed raffle tickets all night.
Lauren Murray – baked and ran upstairs bakesale
Theresa O’Connor – helped with upstairs bakesale and raffles
Courtney Voorhees – Designed flyer and donated art to raffle
Sarah Winner- Papered the town with flyers and ran downstairs bakesale
Carrie Nilson – helped with downstairs bake sale
John Lee – his mom contributed to the downstairs bakesale; I didn’t get her name!!
Denise Bordon – bakesale contributor. Helped with promotion
Kathy Conway – helped with promotion
I didn’t get the name of the folks that donated the amazing Hot Peppers to the downstairs sale, but they’ve received so many compliments, I’d love to know them! They posted on the event page but it was taken down before I could record their name.
Many local 518 musicians, crafters and artists donated merchandise, including many that did not play the event. So many, in fact, that it would be difficult to list them all!
Performers:
Jesse Calhoun
The Realside
Bear Grass
Hot Cousin
The Blisterz
Holly & Evan (w/ 518 all star band)
Knyghts of Fuzz
Graham Tichy
Slaughterhouse Chorus
Charmboy
Rob Skane 3
Mike Hotter & The Moon Divers
Tom McWatters
John Scarpulla Band
Charlie Watts Riots
Ashley Pond
Ben K-N
My Favorite Fence
Goldtooth
Also, big thanks to Greg and Nippertown for promoting the heck out of this event. I’m certain that helped with the great turnout!