Benefit tomorrow night

The 7th annual Benefit, which is called the John Prine Birthday Tribute, will be held tomorrow night at 6 Pence Pub here in Parkersburg, starting at 9 pm. A $5 donation is collected, to support the work of CHS in the Parkersburg area. Local musicians are all geared up to perform, donating their time for this cause. They show a lot of enthusiasm to participate, rehearsing their songs for weeks, working on set lists that they think will be unique and tailored to the show. I try to work up some between sets contests or stories, and we are always seeking little side fund raisers, like 50-50 drawings to liven things up. I make some great connections both in the community and across the country from these Americana Music Tribute shows that we put on throughout the year, and over the years. This year a woman from Wisconsin contacted me, through John PRine's fan website, (www.jpshrine.org) and donated some very nice jewelry she makes, all on the theme of John PRine lyrics. This was an exciting morale boost, to be contact from across the country by a fellow John Prine fan. I have also struck up a connection with John Prine's great sideman, guitarist, and singer-songwriter in his own right, Jason Wilber. He has come to do a house concert/ coffee house for us here in Parkersburg. Several of the musicians tomorrow night will be telling stories about encounters with John Prine and people connected to him. I'll be giving a report following this guaranteed to be fun event.