Singing for a good cause
November 2004
This Christmas, four longtime friends will again be doing their part to give
a special gift of support to area cancer research.
“A Christmas to Cure Cancer” is partnering with Mike Albert and
The Big “E” band for an afternoon of holiday music and Elvis classics
while raising funds for an important cause.
The benefit concert, which is becoming a holiday tradition, is planned for
Dec. 5 in the Dover High auditorium. Doors will open at 2 and music will begin
at 3.
Tickets are $20 and net proceeds of the event will be donated to the Tuscarawas
County Chapter of the American Cancer Society, earmarked for cancer research.
Former high school bandmates Cody Romshak, Lorne Van Fossen, Mark Puskarich
and Dave Clo, along with Lorne’s wife Corrina, had often talked of making
a Christmas album together.
However, when Van Fossen was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in early
2000, “A Christmas to Cure Cancer” was born.
Four years later Van Fossen is in remission, and the band is releasing its
second album, “A Christmas to Cure Cancer 2,” as well as sponsoring
its second annual benefit concert. The combination of these two fund-raisers
has resulted in more than $50,000 being donated for cancer research.
“This project allows us all to give back and at the same time celebrate
the life and survivorship of Lorne,” said Puskarich.
The Dec. 2 concert will feature songs from the band’s first album, as
well as songs from “A Christmas to Cure Cancer 2” which was released
this month.
The new album features a variety of musical styles ranging from jazz to blues
to country and rock. The CD also provides new twists on old favorites such
as “Winter Wonderland” performed with a little jazz swing and a
version of “Jingle Bells” that has a revival feel.
“Frosty Rocks” brings back the big hair bands of the 1980s, while “Blue
Christmas” and “Santa Bring My Baby Back” are performed by
Elvis impersonator Mike Albert and his Big “E” band.
Roger Hoard performs a solo acoustic guitar version of “Amazing Grace.”
Four original compositions were compiled for this release. They are “Christmas
Is,” a country ballad; “Christmas Beach,” a Buffett-like
tune to warm up the holidays and melt your work stress away; “Where Have
You Gone?” a touching story of Jesus’ life from Mary’s perspective,
and “There’s No Feeling Like Christmas,” a song composed
in retro Euro pop style.
The new CD features the founding members of the group, as well as 24 contributing
artists, most of whom have been touched in some way by cancer.
The album was recorded in studios in Nashville, Tenn., Piedmont, O. and Wheeling,
W.Va.
The concert will feature the founding members of the group as well as area
artists Michele Clay, Julie Lucas, Penny and Dan Allison, Jeff Mattevi, Don
White, Mitch Fox and Jan Roll.
Tickets are available in advance at the group’s Web site, www.achristmastocurecancer.org
or by calling (614) 906-4700. They are also available at the area American
Cancer Society office at 201-A W. Ohio Ave., Dover
A Christmas to Cure Cancer Inc. is a registered 501c(3) non-profit organization.
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