ReCap of 2008 Americana Music Tribute Series benefits for the site

Parkersburg Site’s Americana Music Tribute Series

2008 saw the Americana Music Tribute Series in full swing. This series of live music events are held as benefits for the Parkersburg site of Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. These events have been going for several years, and fulfill a basic premise: provide live local music around a theme of a great Americana Music legend, for people’s musical enjoyment, while creating a greater awareness of the work of the agency in the Parkersburg area, and raising money to support the work of the agency and its programs in the community. 2008 kicked off with the Johnny Cash Tribute at the Wheel House in downtown Parkersburg. This event is proving to be the most well attended and popular, raising over $1000 for the work of the agency. There is beginning to develop quite a build up of excitement over this event every year, affectionately known as the “Cash Bash” to many. Next up was the “Whole Lotta Hank” tribute, also at the Wheel House. This tribute has Hank Williams as its honoree. A fantastic band led by Jerry and Lisa Queen highlighted this show, with a pedal steel guitar and the works. Some musicians, like Jonny Nutter of Parkersburg, prepare for each show, learning songs from the featured Americana legend. Door prizes and fun contests are also something folks are beginning to come to expect at the Americana music shows. Unfortunately, this was the last show at the Wheel House, as it closed soon after our last benefit. Next up was a Bob Dylan Birthday tribute, which was held in May at the Front Row in Parkersburg. This was a new event for the series in 2008. There even was some “You Tube” footage of some of the performances from this show! Todd Burge and Jeremy Mayle did some very classy versions of some Bob Dylan songs late into the night. In the heat of the summer, we had a Woody Guthrie children’s music show, at our community Family Center. We had over 40 children and parents jumping around, and having a good ol’ time, to the music of Don Howerton and Nick Barry. Later that evening, a Morgantown duo, the Weedhawks, joined with Nick Barry, and Todd Burge for an extension of the children’s music show, as a benefit for the agency, too. October brought a new venue for the Americana Tribute series, but the longest running event, the John Prine birthday tribute show. This was held at the 5th Street Pub in downtown Parkersburg. 9 different acts performed that night- all lovers of John Prine’s great songs and storytelling skills. The last show of the year was a Neil Young Tribute in November which also was held at the 5th Street Pub.
These benefits, along with on-going vinyl record sales held throughout the year, and a few small scale coffee houses in our Mid Town Family Resource Center, all combine to keep Children’s Home Society front and center in the local community with the fun combination of live local music, and supporting our work with area children and families. The combined fund raising totals over $5000, and well over 500 people are connected to the agency by their attendance. A solid 12 months of publicity and getting the agency’s name out in the community goes on because of the Americana Music Tribute series.
2009 Series is already underway; stay tuned for announcements about upcoming events, or visit Steve’s music blog: stevetuck.blogspot.com for updates.