BRAVO benefit concert filled OLPH’s Notre Dame Hall with music

Deadheads and jamband fans came out in force in a show ofsupport for the Bravo Volunteer Ambulance benefit concert held atNotre Dame Hall on Friday night, September 16. Presented by TheRaccoon Lodge, the show featured performances by The Electrix, BillKirchen & Too Much Fun, and The New Riders of the PurpleSage.

Raccoon Lodge President Jimmy Quigg introduced The Electrix,featuring Jimmy Fleming on guitar and mandolin, Ray Kairys on bass,Andy Earl on guitar, Jeff Naimoli and Mick Nicita on drums and JeffPearlman on keyboards, who set the mood early with a set ofGrateful Dead covers and originals.

Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun with former Commander Codyguitarist Bill Kirchen on guitar, drummer Jack O’Dell and bassistMaurice Cridlin rocked the crowd with Hammer Of The Honky TonkGods, I Might Have Been A Lawyer (But I Couldn’t Pass The Bar),plus Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are a-Changin’.

Kirchen’s mega hit with Commander Cody, Hot Rod Lincoln, wasthe highlight of the set with the guitar master displaying hiseclectic guitar chops.

Bravo President Drew Kasler took the stage to thank the over 700fans who attended the show and The Raccoon Lodge for their hardwork in producing a great time for all.

The New Riders of the Purple Sage continued the vibe withclassic tunes such as I Don’t Know You and Henry led byguitarists David Nelson and Michael Falzarano, along with BuddyCage on pedal steel, Ronnie Penque on bass and Johnny Markowski ondrums. Bill Kirchen and The Electrix’s Jimmy Fleming on mandolinjoined the NRPS for Truck Driving Man and Peggy-O. The bandcontinued the jam with Glendale Train, Louisiana Lady andall-time NRPS favorite Panama Red. The encore of Take A LetterMaria closed the show with all in attendance agreeing it was anight to remember.

Following the show, Bravo President Drew Kasler presented theNRPS with Bravo t-shirts to commemorate the event.

The concert was a resounding success raising $10,000 which willbe donated to Bravo in a special presentation scheduled for laterthis week.

Special thanks to Raccoon Lodge President Jimmy Quigg and hispartners Cliff Goldfarb, Henry Dodrill, Donna and Don Byrnes, andDoreen Ruotolo. A shout out to all the sponsors without whosegenerosity this event could not have taken place and to the greatacoustics provided by In Phase Audio and the special help ofO.L.P.H.’s Reverend Joseph Tizio and Mary Lawson along with all thevolunteers who gave of their time manning the tables.