‘Bands for Cans’ event to benefit Corner Cupboard Food Bank
WAYNESBURG – A local establishment will be hosting a special event on Saturday, Nov. 8 that will offer a full day of great music, terrific food and wonderful raffles, all for a really good cause.
Tommy Boys Tavern, located at 120 Bill George Drive in Waynesburg, will proudly present “Bands for Cans,” a fundraising event that will benefit the Corner Cupboard Food Bank.
The event, which is being coordinated by Hot Mess Promotion and Tommy Boys Tavern, will be held from 3 to 10 p.m. and will feature live performances from three music artists as well as a DJ. There will also be a massive Chinese auction, in which numerous items donated by many different businesses, organizations and individuals will be raffled off throughout the event.
Organizers are seeking more donations for the Chinese auction. Any parties interested in donating are asked to call Laura Swanson, owner of Hot Mess Promotion, at 724-809-8688.
The fundraiser will benefit the food bank at the most opportune time, as the food bank is gearing up for two of its busiest times of the year, the Thanksgiving and Christmas food drives. During the months of November and December each year, the food bank typcially distributes a total of between 40,000 and 50,000 pounds of food, so donations are crucial for their operation.
This is the third annual charity fundraising event coordinated by Tommy Boys Tavern. In previous years, the business has raised money for Autism Speaks and for spinal cord research.
Melinda Ford, general manger at Tommy Boys Tavern, said the establishment decided to hold the annual events to benefit the community.
“As a small local business, we like to support other businesses,” she said. “We buy local, and we like to give back to our community.”
A number of sponsors are helping to pay for the costs for entertainment expenses. The organizers are still seeking additional sponsors; anyone interested in being a sponsor for the event may call Swanson.
Admission for “Bands for Cans” is a $5 donation or at least five non-perishable food items. People are also encouraged to donate money and/or canned goods in addition to the admission.
All proceeds raised from admissions, donations and cans will go the food bank.
A drop-off box for donations will be available on-site, and free parking will be available throughout the event. Tommy Boys will also be offering various food and beverage specials.
Jan Caldwell, executive director of the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, said the food bank is “extremely appreciative” of the “Bands for Cans” initiative.
She added that the following food items will be accepted as donations: Canned salmon, tuna and chicken; cereal; pasta (spaghetti, noodles, etc.); cereal bars (granola, etc.); Cream of Wheat and Co Co Wheat; oatmeal; pancake mix and syrup; box meals such as Tuna Helper, Mac & Cheese, skillet meals, stuffing mix and rice; canned fruit such as peaches, pineapple, pears, mixed, oranges, cranberry sauce, applesauce, canned juices (all varieties) and cherries; soups, broths, salsa and tomatoes (any variety); canned vegetables such as corn, carrots, green beans, wax (yellow) beans, baked beans, peas, mixed, Mexican refried, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, white potatoes (whole or sliced), beets (Harvard/sliced or whole) and pumpkin; canned meals such as ravioli, spaghetti, Spaghetti O’s, Chunky soups and beef stew; and other miscellaneous items such as spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, jelly, and chicken, beef and turkey gravy.
Performing artists at “Bands for Cans” will include Jr Guthrie of The Hillbilly Way, Internet sensation Wyatt Turner and Nashville recording artist Drew Johnson.
Drew Johnson is a country music singer and songwriter from Apex, North Carolina. After spending the last few years living and performing in Nashville, Drew decided to take his music on the road and has been entertaining crowds all over the east coast.
His latest single, “Off The Tracks,” is an upbeat, gritty country song with a twist of southern rock. Johnson possesses an originality in song writing that stems from numerous musical influences, with family favorites such as Brian Davis and his mother’s band, Full Circle.
He grew up listening to Third Eye Blind, Lynyrd Skynyrd, AC/DC, Keith Urban and Garth Brooks, all playing a part in Drew’s musical style.
As a full-time musician, Johnson has opened shows for Buddy Jewell, Brian Davis, Ricky Young, Cassadee Pope, Rob Snyder, Channing Wilson and many more.
Wyatt Turner is from the small West Virginia town of Stony Bottom. Located on the Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County, this small logging town shaped the young man that Wyatt is, and as evidenced by Turner’s latest single, “You Remind Me of West Virginia,” inspired the music that he writes.
From his earliest middle school performances to participating in contests such as the Colgate Country Challenge, trying out for Nashville Star, making it to the second round of tryouts for American Idol, and most lately, being chosen for Season 3 of the Voice, Turner’s talent as a singer, songwriter and entertainer are apparent.
“You Remind Me of West Virginia,” Turner’s current single, has gone viral. With more than 100,000 views in less than 48 hours, the single has claimed the attention of fans, media and politicians.
While Turner still calls West Virginia home, he has been busy in Nashville writing, co-writing and seeking out songs that showcase his style and talent. The You Tube release of the single has brought Turner quickly to the national forefront of the country music industry. The first single, “You Remind Me of West Virginia,” was released to national radio on August 5, 2013.
Guthrie is a talented artist from Weirton W.Va. He was a member of The Povertyneck Hillbillies from 2002-2008. Along with his solo career, he is also a member of The Hillbilly Way. Jr’s musical influences are Hank Williams, Ronnie Milsap, Dwight Yoakam, Elvis, Johnnie Cash and many more,
Local DJ SBK will be performing throughout the event as well.
Swanson said she is excited about the event because it will offer quality entertainment for a worthwhile cause.
“This a great opportunity for people to have a great time listening to some terrific music while helping out their community,” she said.
For more information about “Bands for Cans,” call Swanson or call Tommy Boys Tavern at 724-627-3150.