| A
Letter From Sean Carney |
 This came
in from Bluesman and International Blues Challenge Winner Sean Carney.
We thought we would share some good
feelings with you: “I'm
still glowing after Sean Carney's Blues For A Cure benefit concert
on December 2 at Whiskey Dick's in Columbus, Ohio. What an amazing
day of live Blues and expression of love for those whose lives have
been touched by cancer. I'm proud to announce that Blues For A Cure
raised $9,000 to be distributed to The American Cancer Society of
Central Ohio and The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and
Solove Research Institute.
“On top of a wonderful day's worth of live Blues music, there
was a live auction that featured a Fender ‘60's Strat from Guitar
Center, setup by Dave Bush Guitar Works and autographed by the guitarists
who performed at Blues For A Cure. It gets bigger - my booking agent,
Jo-Ann Freda put me in touch with B.B. King's management, getting
approval to have two Epiphone B.B. King Lucille guitars autographed
by Mr. King in Columbus, Ohio at The Palace Theater on Saturday, December
1, to be auctioned the next day at Blues For A Cure.
“The
idea behind Blues For A Cure was born during a phone call with my
friend Dr. Paul McCarthy, a Cleveland surgeon and owner of Honeybee
Records. We discussed the notion that Blues music can effect positive
change in the world and different ideas to express that notion by
raising money for a charity, paying the artists a reasonable wage,
and presenting an awesome showcase of live Blues worthy of festival
designation. My mother was then undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin's
Lymphoma, my younger sister and stepmother are cancer survivors, and
my piano player, John Popovich, is in remission – the charity
was clear.
“I
spoke with Lori Popovich of The American Cancer Society and got the
official go-ahead to move forward with this concept. Soon after, I
met Blues enthusiast and Mediu CEO Mike Berichon, who last year lost
his sister to cancer – he loved the idea and wanted to be a
part of it. In the summer, Mike and I met with Tracy Moran and Steve
Chaykowski at The OSU James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research
Institute who also embraced the idea and educated us about the different
ways we could donate.
“Around
this same time, I met Mark Puskarich of a Christmas To Cure Cancer
through a mutual friend and musician, Brian Duress. I learned that
Mark and I shared personal motivation to raise money for cancer research
and that he had been successfully doing so for several years through
his amazing work producing and selling CDs, promoting live music events,
and donating 100% of the proceeds to cancer research through A Christmas
To Cure Cancer. Mark dedicated his time and resources to our new idea
and Blues For A Cure was born and The Sean Carney Band performed at
a benefit event for A Christmas to Cure Cancer on November 30 at The
Crown Plaza in Dublin [Ohio].
“Whiskey
Dick's is where I won The Columbus Blues Challenge in 2006 and started
down the road to winning The 2007 International Blues Challenge and
management was so enthusiastic about hosting the event, that they
donated a percentage of the day's profits to Blues For A Cure! Following
a meeting with Morse Road Guitar Center Manager Patrick Scott, Guitar
Center came onboard as our first sponsor committing to provide backline
for the event along with Category 5 Amplification.
“The
Columbus Dispatch, WCBE 90.5 FM, BluesWax, and The Columbus Blues
Alliance helped us get the word out about Blues For A Cure and our
great lineup that featured The Delta Sheiks, Teeny Tucker, Hurricane
Jerry & Stormfront, Cal Baldi, Willie Pooch & The Upsetters,
The Don Norman Blues Band featuring Omar Coleman (from Chicago's West
Side), and The Sean Carney Band. It was a great night of music and
even the folks who bought reserve seating felt they got more than
their money's worth with the quality of entertainers we featured from
one until eight.
Every
band had at least one member who had been touched by cancer –
a mother, a son, a sister, a father, a wife – some survived
and others did not. Emotions were expressed with love and respect
and through the music.
“CBA
founder and Blues musician Dan Axt did an exemplary job as auctioneer,
drawing big bids on the B.B. King guitars and The Strat while Jill
Bookhout, Judi Bruce, Mark Puskarich, and Brian Duress managed the
silent auction. Thanks also to Susan Lotozo, Dave Uhas and all those
people who volunteered.
“A
Christmas To Cure Cancer has begun to produce a Blues CD that will
be released in time for the 2008 holiday season and dates are under
discussion for The Second Annual Blues For A Cure.
“My
thanks to those people who showed up to support our cause and share
their stories at Blues For A Cure. My personal thanks to those who
helped out when I was in need back in August.
“Here's
to all the best in 2008. God Bless You All!
-- Sean Carney, Naples, Florida”
No, thank you, Sean.
|
|
