Musicians come together for benefit concert

BY Debby Jet Jennings - Herald columnist

Area musicians with big hearts and tremendous talent come together this Sunday to aid a friend with an event brandishing a long but very specific title.

The Cycle-Safety /Share The Road All–Day Music Benefit for Scott Hallman and Bicycle Safety Awareness event starts at noon Sunday at The End Zone in Rock Hill and rolls on all afternoon, then into the night with a striking list of acts and artists set to participate. Hallman, a Rock Hill resident, was a hit-and-run victim while riding his bike with a friend in August. He suffered two cracked vertebrae as well as severe scrapes and bruises, spending nearly a week in the hospital. As a result Hallman has had to wear a body cast, and has been out of work for an extended period of time. His medical bills are mounting. So, the music community has stepped up to help with the All-Day Music Benefit.

Some of the areas best-known and most-talented entertainers are expected to strut their stuff. Kristy Marett is one of the main organizers for this event and was thrilled at the response. “We had such overwhelming support from the local musicians, that there will be 10 plus groups and bands performing throughout the day.” Marett added that along with much music there will also be “door prizes, raffles, specials including free hot dogs all day long.” Among the acts on the roster are Brian Colletto, acoustic/unplugged; The Ocean Breeze Band, dance with horn section; Rezistor, rock; Rockstar, 1980s rock; Scott Bristow, slide guitar originals; The Jeff Jones Band, classic rock/country / blues; The Nowthings, classic art-rock; The Oneppos, classic/variety; Threshold, dance/variety; Wavy Space, original blues; Wes Holland and Lou Lambruschi Combo, acoustic rock/folk; and more. There could also be some unscheduled surprises, too.

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Check oceanbreezband.com/benefit for a schedule of time slots. Door prize and raffle drawings will take place throughout the day for special items including: a Washburn acoustic guitar package. Additionally, a Rock Hill Bike Club member will be on hand to explain how to safely share the road. It's from from noon to 10 p.m. at The End Zone, 2354 Ebenezer Road in Rock Hill. Call 803-324-8300 for details. For more information, or to volunteer, email Kristy Marett at Cycle_Safe.Scott@yahoo.com.

Rock and roll's a mostly macho world, so girls with guitars out to get gigs in hard-rocking bands face an uphill battle. The odds get steeper still when trying to leap to rock star, complete with credibility and hit songs. It can be done, and Lita Ford — special guest this Tuesday with Queensryche at The Fillmore in Charlotte — ranks as one who ran the gauntlet to true rock goddess. You can even say, she managed the near impossible feat of “having it all” including hit songs, fan popularity, acclaim as a hard rock guitarist/singer/songwriter, as well as a life with husband and children. That's quite a lot of work for “the gal who grew up in England wanting to start a band, not merely say "I'm with the band."

Early in her career Ford achieved notoriety as a member of 1970s all-girl punky hard rock band The Runaways that also boasted Joan Jett in the lineup. That led to her solo career and albums, including “Lita” (1988), which featured her first hit, “Kiss Me Deadly,” along with follow-up “Close My Eyes Forever,” the duet with Ozzy Osbourne. Now, Ford returns to reclaim her throne with a new album, “Wicked Wonderland,” a new band and a prime slot mid-tour with Queensryche where things get even more interesting.

This tour is headlined by rock/ metal /progressive powerhouse Queensryche, known for the acclaimed 1988 album “Operation: Mindcrime,” as well as the follow-up, “Empire,” with hits including chart-buster "Silent Lucidity” and favorites like “Jet City Woman” and “Queen of the Reich.” The current lineup features Geoff Tate, lead vocals/ keyboards/ saxophone; Michael Wilton, lead, rhythm, acoustic guitars/backing vocals; Eddie Jackson, bass/ backing vocals; and Scott Rockenfield, drums/ percussion/keyboards. The Seattle-based bunch is touring in support of “American Soldier,” released in early 2009.