Dear Charles Letter

Dear Charles: August 9,2013

It has come to my understanding that Frank Smeragliuolo and Ronnie Would had worked together to create this column as a place to discuss and promote new local bands and help them to get their name publicized as they struggled to become widely known. This is awakening to me since this Celebration of the Musicians Memorial, which our new band STR8 SIX is promomoting with Ronnie's support, is working towards just that. When Ronnie told me this,the full circle picture came around.Our efforts set out double fold with promoting our band and donating to local school districts music programs. As we bring to life the final wishes of most of those lives of "Local Legends" we are celebrating this year, such as Rob Buck of 10,000 Maniacs, Bruce Peterson of Rockin' Rick and The Homewreckers ,Ronnie Kuhns of Sundog, Rod Welling of Haydevils, Mike Higgs of Goatskins,Tim Welch of Pressure Sensitive,and of course,Frank Smeragliuolo of Black Pearl,and founder of this Nite-Line Magazine and specifically ,your column to which I am writing. It is striking that in full circle, here I am closing that gap, to get a foot up for aspiring new musicians.

Jamie Smeragliuolo has come to the table with sponsoring us a full page ad here in the Nite-Line to support and promote our endeavor. The "Local Legends Of Music" project has been a lot of work on behalf of Todd Haskins and myself, which we decided to take on only a month ago. Over two years ago we both had heard news of groundwork being done and people were in anticipation of this long overdue occasion. Those involved who should be mentioned include but are never limited to: Sean Welling (Rod Wellings brother), Vicki Penhollow ,Joel Matherly & Brian Person. When we started throwing the idea around to start pushing the event to help promote STR8 SIX, we discovered most were so busy with jobs and families that it had been a struggle to get things off the ground. I personally being an unemployed teacher decided, together with Todd, that what better way to spend my time than to promote a fund to help local students.

In that short time, we have recieved a pouring out of support and have devoted many an evening to coordinating and visiting local businesses and currently prospering bands to finalize details for this FREE private Celebration which is open only to those who donate. Our listed minimum donation is 10$ but we are hoping to open people's hearts to more than the minimum if they are able. Writing to your column is just one of the many ways we are utilizing our resources to raise awareness. We hope to be able to reach our goal of $5000 of donations within 5 years to keep the "Local Legends Of Music Memorial Fund" active through the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Our second goal in this endeavor is to acquire plaques, with each fallen musicians name to honor to their contribution to the community and commemorate the musical legend they have left behind. We are hoping,that with the public's support from donations we will be able to,at the minimum,get those for the aforementioned this year with the proceeds to place plaques at the circle on Potters Alley where most have performed many a time.

Another goal with this show is to promote not only our band,and other bands, but also local small business. We have asked sponsors who have donated items for our giveaway, to also give us a sign to hang on the stage to promote their own business,once again a two-fold purpose. These local businesses have greeted us with open hands and arms in our endeavor and the generosity for this gathering is unbelieveably reciprocal in the way of "promoting the little guy" from the businesses, to the bands,and STR8 to the hands of the youngsters we hope to support as they aspire to follow in the footsteps of many of the local legends.

A word to the public about donations: It is definitely a worthy cause and those who can donate should and those who haven't, please do!Just call (814)670-9151! I'd love to read in this column someday about a local school performance funded by our non- profit sponsorship.

So, to give the fund a boost and get the thing going from "Ground Zero", we are offering a chance to win a door prize to the first 50 that donate and by limiting this to the first 50, that gives each donor a 50% chance at winning since there are 25 prizes. Furthermore,the items in the sponsor giveaway are worth 25$ and up, so making a donation right away is worthwhile. Also, your name will go in the drawing so you do not need to be present to win. If you are not there when your name is drawn we will contact you and get it to you. Final winners will be drawn live and announced at the show by our MC Ronnie Would of WRFAlp's The Acoustic Nation and Fringie Glitter Buckle Boots shows,as well as on our STR8 SIX Facebook page,so we urge all readers to search STR8 SIX on facebook and like the page to stay up to the minute on this drawing as well as future STR8 SIX performances.

And so heres the plug: STR8 SIX is a newly formed band presenting Todd Haskins,John Pillsbury,Zach Card, Joyce Card, and Kevin Mylett. Though Zach is our lead vocalist, John and Todd also do their share on the mic, however currently we are looking for a vocalist to complete our SIX. So we are asking anyone who is interested to give the band hotline a call @(814)670-9151 to audition! Why STR8 SIX? You ask, well, good question. The band took a few good weeks brainstorming ideas for a band name and nothing really clicked for everyone. Here and there at practice names would get thrown out during band discussions between songs, we would make name suggestions such as 'Chokin' on Liver, and Poppin' Tub Bubbles! Mostly members would joke around and not really take it too seriously since nothing really connected, but we never gave up. It was always fun to pull pokes about what the new name would be. Finally one day someone said,"Hey, how about STRAIGHT SIX? Like the motor?" And everyone got a big smile across their faces as we had discovered the new band name. The band decided based on the group reaction to the name that 'that was it' and it stuck. When drawing up the band's first logo Todd decided it would be unique if we changed the "aight" to the number and henceforth -STR8 SIX.

Previously known as many other local bands and the like of Dirty Dog Water, At The Moment, Stoney Creek, Blackened Rain,Billy and The Outlaws,and most recently: Safety Break;these well rounded SIX have collectively come together in Spring of 2013 as Str8 Six to embrace the musical platforms with influences from Jimmy Hendrix,Stevie Ray Vaughan,Cream,Grateful Dead,Rolling Stones,Allman Brothers and many more from the late 60's,early 70's, late 80's, rock,and blues with dance worthy rockin' hard hittin' covers.

Since the start of the band such a short time ago, they have played at venues such as Open Jam on Sunday nights at The Bullfrog,The Roadhouse for the opener of Synergys final show and outdoors at Ashville Days with The Flattsmen. It was such a great experience working with other bands on the performances that we really thought this Musicians Memorial would be another excellent venue. It will take place on The Reardon Stage at 1136 Hoag Road on August 25,2013. Joining us in this celebration show will be Day Old Soup with Warren Sischo, Brian Chase,and The Geezers featuring Joel Matherly. Other bands not on stage,but in full support of our auction,also have a two fold reciprocal participation,and donated items from their bands which we will auction with hopes to raise some funds and to promote those bands such as 10,000 Maniacs, Firehouse's Bill Leverty,and Big Leg Emma thus far. We are hoping more bands will rise to the occasion possibly with signature CDs,or T-shirts or even memorabilia from the fallen musicians collection to help raise funds.Seeing the comradary between bands has just been amazing as we search for further venues and bookings beyond this upcoming show,thus any venues looking for a fresh new band should call our STR8 SIX hotline for future booking! This band is ready to ROCK IT!

[Historical fact: reconnecting the full circle completely!

Post journal article: Founded originally in 1974 by John P.Davis

"Through the years Chautauqua Music provided not only outstanding products but also a commitment to serving its customers. John reached out to schools, music teachers, churches, bands and music organizations in order to increase opportunities for people to appreciate and enjoy music.

As a former band director himself, nothing pleased John more than to place a shiny new instrument in a child's hands and see the smile of anticipation on their face. He tried to assist the school music programs in any way he could. Periodic newsletters sent to music teachers, as well as supporting music activities, were high on his priority list. One year when the JHS band was on its way to the Rose Bowl parade in Pasadena, Chautauqua Music donated a King sousaphone to the band."

It is so unique how all these ties are coming full circle. Here's Chautauqua Music once again reaching out to put instruments in the hands of students!]

Chautauqua Music's very own Billy Kates,located at 110 E.2nd Street, (which over the past few weeks has slowly become nominated as "Musicians Memorial Headquarters") has donated an electric guitar which will find its way to the auction block at our gathering. This sponsorship kicks in the perfect final touch to complete the show! So come on down on August 25 to get in on the bidding! Money raised will go into the perpetual fund and help to get students the instruments they need from Chautauqua Music in public schools for centuries to come!