Benefit blues show to make
debut at Freehold VFW hall
By clare MARie celano
Staff Writer
FREEHOLD — If you’re looking for a change from rock and roll, if you’re tired of turning down the volume on your teenager’s hip-hop, if your musical heart is searching for something a little different, your search may just be over.
An old-fashioned "Horseshoes, Blues Barbecue" will be held on the grounds of the Freehold Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Waterworks Road, on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event, sponsored by the VFW and the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation, promises to be the "best thing that’s hit Freehold in years," according to event coordinator Tom Cucchiara.
Cucchiara said he was approached by Michael Mangini, commander of VFW Post 4374, who told him he wanted to plan a "spectacular" musical event for the community but wasn’t sure just where to begin.
Cucchiara has had some serious experience planning blues festivals. To his credit, the drummer has coordinated and produced several benefits, most over the last year, including a huge benefit in March at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park for blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin. Other benefits include "Harpin Help" at Bar A in Belmar, in April, to raise money for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The most recent benefit Cucchiara coordinated was on June 8 at the Stone Pony for guitarist Bernie Brausewetter, to help pay the musician’s medical bills. Brausewetter will perform with Saturday’s headliner, Supreme Court.
Cucchiara has managed to combine his love of blues music with his desire to help those in need. He said the benefit at the VFW is being held as a fund-raiser for the Cpl. Michael E.. Curtin Scholarship Fund for Howell High School. The fund was established in memory of Curtin, who was killed in March while serving with American forces in Iraq. Part of the proceeds from the festival will go to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel.
The festival will also be the fulfillment of a 35-year fantasy, according to Cucchiara, who said a live concert festival is something he believes that Freehold has missed out on over the years.
Cucchiara has played drums since he was 9 and has performed with several bands over the years. The drummer said it has always been a dream of his to try to recapture and bring back the feelings of those early times for himself and for the community. He said he has a "vision" to create new memories that will take people back to their old ones, as he says, "new memories to last a lifetime."
Saturday’s lineup will include The Barnburners; Stringbean and the Stalkers featuring Kenny "Stringbean" Sorensen and Sonny Kenn; Billy Hector and the Acoustic Armada; and Joe Zook and Blues Deluxe.
Headlining the festival is Supreme Court, which features Brausewetter, who Cucchiara called "one of the best guitar players on the planet." Brausewetter has played with the Allman Brothers, Warren Hayes, Smokin’ Joe Kubek and the late Johnny Copeland. He is also a member of BB and the Stingers.
According to Cucchiara, all of the members of Supreme Court are veterans of the East Coast jazz, blues and rock scenes. Blues harpist and band leader "Big Nancy" has appeared on stage with legendary bluesmen Willie Dixon, Sammy Price and Hubert Sumlin. Singer Yolanda Briggs was born in England and raised in Trenton. She has appeared on stage at the Apollo Theater in New York and with television Gospel host Bobby Jones. Drummer Ron Howden, also born in England, has played with the Everly Brothers, the Ink Spots and the Platters. Supreme Court also features Donna McPherson on bass. McPherson has appeared with George Clinton, Bernie Worrell and K.C. and the Sunshine Band.
Cucchiara said he’s so caught up in the "blues" right now that he has pretty much retired his rock and roll. His attachment with the blues started about three years ago when he signed up with Blue Plate Special. In this band, he played drums with bass player Vinnie Roslin, who once played with Steel Mill, the precursor of the E Street band, according to Cucchiara.
According to Cucchiara, the menu for the barbecue will include traditional soul food fare like barbecue chicken platter, jambalaya, steamed shrimp and alligator sausage on a stick (real alligator!) prepared by the Ragin Cajun, Belmar, and some American classics as well, like Frankie Feds’ pizza, sausage and peppers.
Community organizations will be preparing other dishes and supplying drinks and desserts. Crafters will be on hand to sell handmade crafted items. A giant slide, a rock climbing wall, a cotton candy machine and a popcorn machine will help to keep guests happy. A horseshoe tournament is also planned.
There will only be parking at the VFW hall for people who have handicap identification. Other guests may park at the Monmouth County Court House, Court and Monument streets, and then walk or take a shuttle bus to the VFW hall down the street.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Children 12 and under are free. For ticket information call the VFW at (732) 462-4896 or send an e-mail to manginim@monmouth.com.