About a half hour south of Madison, WI is the smallish city of Janesville, noteworthy mostly for the origin of the Parker Pen and for assembling big gas guzzling SUV's for General Motors. Being that GM is their major employer, the community's economy ebbs and flows along with GM's (mis)fortunes.
Travel another 15 minutes thru the farm pastures outside of Janesville and you'll find yourself in the tiny farming village of Footville, WI, home to one "Chainsaw" Curtis Rodeheaver, who with his band, "The Creepers", has been cranking out some of the best Roadhouse Blues North of the Texas state line for many years. They might be Wisconsin's best kept secret.
I've known Curt for a number of years, although not well as I might like to...busy schedules and all. What's always impressed me most about him is that, despite amazing amounts of talent and a long and varied career, this man is not only humble, but wears his heart on his sleeve and is generous nearly to a fault.
I could go on for some time with examples of his kindness and generosity, but I need to get to the point here, as there isn't much time.
Since 2001, Curtis has been organizing CanJam, a benefit show featuring bands and musicians that donate their time, equipment and talents to collect food and raise money for the ECHO Food Pantry in Rock County, where both Janesville and Footville reside.
Being that the times we live in are what they are, this year the need is great--far exceeding what ECHO can handle--over 2500 Thanksgiving Dinners and over 1000 Christmas ones will be provided. And so, on a very short notice, they've turned to Curtis for help, and in turn Curtis sent out the Call To Arms (or Guitars?).
This Sunday, November 25, Curtis will be holding this "Emergency CanJam" as an open jam. So if you play something and can make your way down to Janesville for a few hours, please join in and help out--you'll get to play with a GREAT band, meet a lot of great people and help a lot of folks in need. If you don't play, then come and enjoy some fantastic live music for a good cause. Bring some canned or non-perishable food and your wallet--canned food will get you in for free, but a donation certainly wouldn't kill you either. In fact, you can donate without even attending if you want to save on the gas money. Just drop me an email at twintwelve1484 at yahoo.com and I'll send info on how to donate directly.
CanJam will be held from 4 til 8 pm at Wedges Tavern and Grill, 2006 N Washington, Janesville 608•757•1444. And I'll attend personally (not outsourcing this to Sanjiv!).
I can't think of a better way to start the holiday season than by helping others and having a blast with some great people at the same time. I'm hoping you'll agree.
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