CANCER BENEFIT CONCERT TO AID LOCAL VETERAN MUSICIAN
GC Productions To Coordinate Fundraiser For "Nice Guy" Dan Golden
A special fund raising benefit concert is being held to aid long time veteran local musician and entertainer DAN "THE HOFNER GUY"
GOLDEN in dealing with an onslaught of medical bills acquired during his recent battle with cancer. The internationally recognized bass player/ vocalist for bands including THE SINNERS CLUB and tribute act the ROLLING TONES, has been dubbed by the press as "The nicest guy in Rock n' Roll", and has helped hundreds of budding players pursue their vision to join the music business.
Golden and the crew of THE SINNERS CLUB also recently released their first original CD single, the hilarious "I LIKE 'EM YOUNG". The benefit event, to be held SUNDAY, JANUARY 23, 2011 at IRVING'S @ HOLIDAY INN, 25425 SW 95th Avenue Wilsonville, OR 97070, will start at 5pm and feature a line-up of top flight acts throughout the evening. The schedule already includes blues acts Kevin Selfe, Eddie Martinez, "Julian's Ride ", John Thayer - brother of Tommy
Thayer of KISS, the fabulous ROLLING TONES, and headlined by Golden's band THE SINNERS CLUB, then culminating in an all-star jam session. Guest appearances by other area celebrities are also to be announced.
Admission is a suggested donation of $10, with proceeds and other donations targeted to assisting Golden with his medical expenses for cancer care.
This very special benefit event is being staged by GINGER CAVINESS of CG
PRODUCTIONS, along with help from noted vocalist - and the evening's MC,
ANDY MADSON of Rolling Tones fame. Door prizes and giveaways are being
supplied by local businesses and media outlets, including sponsoring Metro area rock radio stations KGON 92.3-FM and KCYH 97.1-FM, to help spice things up. To make pre-event donations and offer other help for this benefit, please contact Ginger at (503)432-7607 or by email: glcaviness@msn.com. Please lend a helping hand to one of the area's most generous personalities in his time of need.
My doctor rocks. Seriously. He plays guitar.  His name is Will Winter, and I've written about him before, and the rest of the group of six gynecologic cancer surgeons who formed a rock band to raise funds and awareness.  The name of the band is N.E.D.- No Evidence of Disease. A wonderful thing for a patient to hear after surgery, or chemo, or radiation. It's like hearing you won the life lottery.
N.E.D. have been busy. Not only saving lives, but writing songs, and getting ready to do a whole new CD. This is quite a feat since they live all over the country.  This brings "conference call" to a whole new level!  They are also planning a show here in Portland at the Aladdin Theater on Sunday, January 16th, which is the day before the Martin Luther King holiday. Tickets are on sale now for only $20, and if you wait until the day of the show they are $22.50. Click here to connect to the Aladdin site.
They will be filming the show here in Portland as well, so look good, cheer loud and long, and rock hard...which we in Portland know how to do ever so well! Also, I have a personal reason for this band to do well. The fact that my cancer was diagnosed so early led to the fact that I'm still here. Their mission is my mission.Â
Rock on!
This week has been very very long, but somehow it also moved along at a rapid pace. I guess there was just a lot to squeeze into it, starting with Monday night when Trans-Siberian Orchestra blew into town!
I didn't even get the chance to blog about the TSO show. I'll take care of that right now. They were incredible! As usual. But this year, I seriously think it was better than ever before. The technical production end of things just blew me away yet again. This year there were ramps that came down and hovered over the sides while musicians ran up on them and played hanging over the audience below. You had to see it. Plus, it wasn't just a ramp that you saw from below (which was where I was sitting), the bottom had digital lights forming patterns that could be seen from underneath. Crazy!
I don't know how Paul O'Neill comes up with this stuff, but it must have something to do with the fact that the man never sleeps...or rarely sleeps. Adam, the road manager who has worked with Paul for over 20 years said that he just loves to work. That's when you know someone is really actualizing their passion because they just can't quit. Well, as someone who adores TSO, all I have to say is "Thank You!"
The band had a couple of new additions to the pool of talent and they were fantastic. Before the show, Amy the KGON'sider and I were hanging out backstage with the band (I know, I'm blessed) and Al Pitrelli, mentioned something about the new narrator. I gasped and said "Anthony isn't here? But, but..." and I was assured that I would like the new member of the cast. Oh boy did I. Anthony had been part of TSO for 11 years, and he is an actor, and went to pursue other interests, so I'm happy for him. The new narrator is like a rockin' James Earl Jones by the name of Phillip Brandon. Wow! He was seriously amazing.
Al, Tommy, Angus, Andrew, Jane, Caitlin, Jeff Scott Soto and all the others delivered a show like never before. I think Portland gave them 4 standing ovations. The performers said after the show that they were thrilled at the reception we gave them. Of course! We know Portland ROCKS!!!
Next year I hope they go back to doing two shows in Portland on the weekend, but whatever they do, don't pass us by EVER!
Again this year they gave a big check for about $7,500 to the Community Transitional School, plus Paul O'Neill sent $6,000 extra to be used for families of the students to make sure they have a better holiday. I'm sitting here at my desk with tears in my eyes just thinking of how amazing and generous he is. Paul is the real deal. Someone who gives just because it feels good and needs to be done. He didn't do this to be noticed, and I'm probably not supposed to tell this story, but sometimes, I think it's just important to recognize people who do good things. It should make all of us want to be better people.
So, if you missed TSO this year, just know that you missed one amazing show. But there's always next year! Oh, and they are touring this Spring, but will be going to Europe, and other markets in North America that never get the Holiday show. SO, plan to travel if you want Nightcastle, or Beethovan's Last Night.
I think seeing them in Europe in the Spring sounds incredible. Now, to get my flight all set up...
We are a country of workaholics. Yeah, I know there's exceptions to that, and plenty of them, but I work with a lot of "Type A" crazy people that think that they HAVE to come to work sick. Please, from someone who doesn't want to get sick, and doesn't have any sick time left after three surgeries in a one year period, stay the hell away from me.Â
I went online and found some little facts about the flu season and being sick at work and I thought I'd pass them along. It's from the Wall Street Journal and Staples did the survey, so I consider it credible.Â
"With an estimated 20,000 germs per square inch on the average office desk according to experts at GOJO, it's important to keep workspaces clean particularly during flu season. Taking simple, easy steps, such as frequent hand washing and cleaning workspace surfaces, can go a long way in keeping healthy."Â Okay, I'm getting out the Lysol wipes right now.....and wiping down the control room!
"As an expert on the flu virus, Dr. Brian Currie, vice president and medical director for research at the Montefiore Medical Center, offers effective ways to keep offices healthy. "Prevention is imperative. In today's busy world, people don't have time to be sick. It can be hard to allow yourself time to rest and recover so taking preventative measures is the most effective way to defend against the flu," said Dr. Currie. "I encourage workers who are afraid of getting the flu vaccine to take it. It's a safe and effective way to prevent getting the virus. (note:only four of 10 survey respondents plan to get the flu vaccine.) Additionally, to prevent the spread of flu I strongly recommend that workers wash their hands regularly, use hand sanitizers, have tissues readily available, and practice proper coughing and sneezing etiquette."Â Note to self, get flu shot on the way home....
"Although 34 percent of those surveyed said they would prefer if their coworker stayed home and used sick days, a majority of respondents (85 percent) said they will come into work when sick. (WTF!) When asked how sick they need to feel before not going to work --43 percent said that they would come into work unless they physically couldn't get out of bed (here, let me get that hammer out so we can knock some sense into you...) "33 percent said they would come in with caution 10 percent said they would come in no matter how sick they were." Oh yeah...love that 10 percent. Really? Throwing up and making no sense because your head is about to explode makes for GREAT decisions.Â
So, stay home if you're sick.  Or if you work alone, what the hell, go in.Â
Stay well everyone!
I love passing along information that is useful. This email came to me this morning and with the buying season on the way, and the huge amount of people dealing with unemployment, it seems like good thoughts to pass along:
5 HOLIDAY JOB HUNTING TIPS BBB Advice on Presenting a Hirable Image
 Lake Oswego, Ore. â Nov. 8, 2010 â The gift that keeps on giving this season is holiday employment. Retailers are looking for more seasonal employees than in previous years, according to the Los Angeles Times. Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington is giving job seekers five helpful tips for landing work in this competitive job market:
1.     Start the job search early. The key to attaining seasonal employment is getting a head start. Restaurants, caterers, retailers, shipping and packaging companies are often in need of additional support during the holidays. Start submitting applications and resumes during fall.
2.     Research employers first. Not only is it important to research businesses before buying, but also, check out potential employers online and get BBB Reliability Reports at www.bbb.org. This helps avoid job scams, plus knowing about companies in advance helps prepare applicants for interviews.
3.     Work where you shop. Employment may be available where you like to shopâand you're most likely already familiar with their reputation, products or services. Another bonus is employee discounts, which can mean significant savings when shopping for Christmas gifts; discounts can range from 20 to 40 percent for seasonal employees.
4.     Put your best foot forward. If picking up applications at stores, dress to impress and be prepared to interview. Be familiar with the companyâs brand and products. Retail job hunters should focus on impressing potential employers with their customer service skillsâwhich are "a must" when dealing with stressed-out shoppers, long check-out lines and day-after-Christmas returns.Â
5.     Be flexible. Full-time employees usually get preferred hours and shifts. Seasonal employees may be expected to work long or inconvenient hoursâincluding holidays, like Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. If taking on a second job, be upfront and clear with the new employer about availability.
 Remember, a hard worker who leaves a good impression can turn a temporary opportunity into lasting employment. For more holiday advice, visit www.bbb.org.
So, think about where you shop, or would like to work. Best to you in your job hunting.
Today on My 3 Songs I gave away tickets to see Ringo and the All Starr Band in Eugene on Sunday. The winner, David, said that he had just seen McCartney, and he was so happy to now be able to take his 16 year old son to see Ringo! That right there made me warm all over. First that he has raised his son right, because he also said that his kid was a Beatlemaniac, and also that he had traveled to see McCartney on his tour.Â
Then to really seal my affection for him forever, David said he was "on his way to give blood in the KGON/Red Cross Let it Bleed Blood Drive" when he was listening to My 3 Songs, pulled over and made the call to win the tickets. There's so many reasons to love this guy in that statement. He was listening to me. He knew how to play the game. He was on his way to his appointment to give blood during our blood drive. He knew the answer and pulled over to be safe while he called to try and win the tickets. My heart soars like an eagle.
Hey, I love just about everyone I've ever met who listens to KGON because you are amazing, loyal, intelligent and wonderful folks, but listener David just earned some extra stripes today. Oh, and he couldn't wait to get his KGON "Let It Bleed" shirt!
Join in the effort! Make your appointment to GIVE BLOOD this week! Here's the link to find out more about it.Â
When I was at the CD release party in October 2009 for N.E.D. the Band (No Evidence of Disease) a woman who's name I do not remember (I don't remember her name because in a loud music oriented crazy event, where I am the emcee, I'm lucky that I can remember my own name, or the performers that I'm to introduce during the evening), said something that keeps rolling around in my head.  The Crystal Ballroom was filled with either surgeons, oncologists, gynecologists, musicians, cancer survivors, or the friends and family of people who's lives had been altered by gynecological cancer of some kind. There was great food and inspiring music, and it was all to raise money and awareness for Marjie's Fund and N.E.D.Â
In the middle of the evening, before I auctioned off the N.E.D. signed guitar, this woman comes up to me when I was talking to the young man from Stupid Cancer (an internet radio show for young people dealing with cancer) and said "I'd like to forget that I ever had the disease." I agreed. How could you not. To be the same person as before the diagnosis has an appeal. More reckless. More angry. More wild and carefree. More me.Â
On the other hand, life afterward is also this big ass gift horse that you can't look in the mouth. So, I'm torn between two worlds. Those words have haunted me for months now.Â
She did go on to say that she normally doesn't like to go to things that celebrate the disease...like relays, marathons, fundraisers, etc...and just likes to forget she went through it all, and get on with her life. That's really what life is all about anyway. Getting on with it. It makes sense to me. I don't think these events really "celebrate" the disease as keep us aware of it, but I get where she was going with this.
That being said, I do like to celebrate the fact that anyone who survives cancer is still here to get on with it. To rock, to write, to appreciate, to love, to give, to be pissed off...all of it.Â
There's a couple of things that are coming up on the same weekend in June, and as a survivor, both have to do with "The Big C"Â in different ways.Â
On June 5th, there's the Iris Gives Back 2010: Joyride, Kickstart for Kids motorcycle ride to raise money for the Children's Cancer Association. The ride is from Paradise Harley Davidson to Pacific City where the CCA has a Caring Cabin where families with children fighting cancer can go and have a little vacation with their whole families. We're also having a big party the night before at Ducati Motocorsa with a silent auction for some cool stuff.Â
Then on Sunday June 6th, there's an event at the World Forestry Center from 2-4pm for Cancer Survivors. KATU's Shellie Bailey-Shah will be on hand, and she always is inspiring.  The event is free and for more information call 503-335-3500.Â
Yesterday the world lost an incredible rocker, Ronnie James Dio, to stomach cancer. His distinctive voice, so huge for a person of such small stature (he was 5'4" like me), his gracious nature, his kindness, his positive attitude in the face of this disease will be remembered by all who loved him. I met the man one time and that backstage greeting before his show at the Memorial Coliseum will stay in my mind forever. He was that cool.Â
I'm sure he would have rather had the challenge to survive and celebrate "getting on with it" rather than saying goodbye before he was ready.
Throw horns. Rock on.Â
Oh, and to the woman who's name I don't remember, thank you for giving me some stuff to think about. Truly!Â
On with the show.
