Music 4 Vets Benefit Concert

November 1, 2014 in Charlotte, NC a ground breaking "Music meets Charity" event will take place at Meetings on Mint at 1510 South Mint Street and will be hosted by Rize Records and LadyLake Music.

Music 4 Vets is a charity program that not only recycles and provides musical instruments to veterans but provides them with musical therapy.

Performers for the event are: A.O, Omar A, Nick Shaw, B.B.P, I-10 Connect, Diane Cameron, International Nova and headliner Doc G. of PM Dawn. 

If you can't make it to Charlotte, it will be simulcasted in real time online over the Giving Stage network. Giving Stage is a virtual venue that raises money for environmental and social change. 

One of the best features about this event is the fact that it is all volunteer based and tickets to attend are absolutely free! To secure a free online ticket or to donate to this event, click here.

Punk, Rock, MUSICA!

Friday night at Musica in Akron, OH, 4 very diverse bands rocked the venue where The Black Keys got their start.

First up was the two man band, Dead Gumbies, hailing from Cleveland. With Robin on guitar, Ratrod on drums and both of their voices combined, these two are something unique. Their sound is like Alice Cooper minus a bass player. You can check them out here and be sure to like their Facebook page.

(Dead Gumbies at Musica, Akron- Photo by: Tori Lee)

Next, Fractured Past hit the stage. These guys reminded me of a heavier and more vocally talented Chevelle. They were great live and had awesome stage presence. They covered Metallica's "One" and absolutely rocked it. You can check out their first music video on YouTube for "Away" and like them on Facebook. Their album "Life as of Yesterday" is kickass and they are currently working on a new one.

(Fractured Past at Musica Akron- Photo by: Tori Lee)

Then rock n' rollers from Pittsburgh, SuperMonkey, came out and rocked the crowd. They opened with their track "Falter" that you can hear on their debut album. If you like good old American rock n' roll, check these guys out here. Their upcoming shows are this Friday Oct 17 at the beautiful Palace Theater in Greensburg where they will be opening for Blues legend, Robin Trower then the next night SuperMonkey will be performing in Cleveland at Phantasy. On Halloween expect some surprises when they play at IUP's Brown Hotel for the Halloween Nirvana night.

(SuperMonkey at Musica Akron- Photo by: Tori Lee
& Shawna Sadzewicz hula hooping in front)

Finally, punk rock band May Day Riots came out and changed the atmosphere of the venue. Pumping up the crowd with a punk rock version of Pat Benatar's "Heart Breaker," they showed their skills. Their new album will be out on October 25th. Be sure to check out their Facebook and ReverbNation sites for more info and while you're there listen to my personal favorite, "Don't Tread on Me."

(May Day Riots at Musica Akron- Photo By: Tori Lee)

My favorite part of the night was that the diversity of the music on stage matched the diversity of those in attendance. Old school rockers to new age punk rock fans were in the crowd. People sitting in the back bar enjoying a variety of draft beers to festival heads hula hooping in the front. Shawna Sadzewicz was as entertaining as the acts that performed that night while she literally was in the spotlight hula hooping with her LED hoop.

"Just practice and have fun with it," was Shawna's advice about hooping. That can be applied to everything we saw that night. Whether it's music or what you do in life- practice while still enjoying yourself is what it's all about.

Pat DiCesare Day and Beatle Mania

September 14 is now recognized across the state of Pennsylvania as Pat DiCesare Day thanks to Pittsburgh Mayor, Bill Peduto and State Governor, Tom Corbett.

We take today as a day to recognize this music industry icon for his hard work and dedication. Someone who hasn't stopped working even though his dreams have far been accomplished. The man who brought The Beatles to the Steel City 50 years ago, today, for their one and only performance here. Mr. Pat DiCesare. A legendary man who is the face of the saying "hard work pays off."

(Photo By: Tori Lee- Mr. DiCesare signing copies of his book "Hard Days, Hard Nights)

Mr. DiCesare put together an event at The Benedum Center in downtown Pittsburgh last night to relive that monumental day when The Beatles were here in 1964. This celebration opened with acts that represented the music that influenced The Beatles. Tribute acts for Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry and Little Richard took the stage before the main event of BeatleMania Now.

(Photo By: Tori Lee- Marquee outside The Benedum Center)

The event was so surreal. Every tribute artist dressed, sang and performed the way the real ones would have. Little Richard seemed to be a favorite among many of the guests in attendance because he was so close to the real thing.

When BeatleMania Now came on stage, the only thing missing was the mob of screaming young girls. They even had their haircuts perfected.

Tootie Dischner, worker at The Benedum, was at the original Beatles concert here in Pittsburgh 50 years ago.

"I was 12 years old and I remember how shocked I was that my parents let me go. I must have been pretty insistent. I remember thinking, 'there's no way The Beatles are in my hometown and I can't go.' Tickets were about 6 bucks but then that was A LOT of money," Tootie recalls with a reminiscent smile on her face.

"What I remember most was that the young girls in the crowd, including myself, were screaming so loud during the entire concert that you couldn't hear them singing anyway but boy was it worth it," said Tootie.

(Photo By: Tori Lee- Merchandise table- Get your copy of Hard Days, Hard Nights)

This special event at The Benedum not only had some original Beatles fans but young children as well. That is the beautiful thing about their music. It still allows people of all ages to come together.

Mary Zeis was in attendance at The Benedum last night and was so thankful to relive some of these amazing memories. "I was the President of The Beatles Fan Club here in Pittsburgh in the 60's and through that I met so many amazing people thanks to Chuck Brinkman. Tonight I get to remember those wonderful times," Mary stated.

The event was spectacular and it ended with an inspiring message from Mr. DiCesare himself on stage. He reminded us all that it wasn't the bands he got to meet, the money he made or the fame he gained but the fact that his parents believed in him that got him to where he is today.

We thank you, Mr. Pat DiCesare, for such a memorable experience and the city of Pittsburgh and the state of Pennsylvania is happy to celebrate today as Pat DiCesare Day.