A Christmas cure for cancer
By Marion Ruminski - Harrison News-Herald Managing Editor
Christmas and a cure for cancer is the idea behind a Christmas music CD put out by former band members of a local band called Aereon.
The idea started with Mark Puskarich, formerly of Piedmont but now living in Columbus, Ohio area. He wanted to reunite the old band which hadn't played since the band was together in the 1980's and put out a Christmas CD.
That was four years ago. In early 2000, a stumbling block occurred when guitarist Lorne VanFossen of Uhrichsville was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The band then focused on what they could do to help their friend. It was decided to make the CD and call it "A Christmas to Cure Cancer" with proceeds to benefit The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Instituted in Columbus.
Though VanFossen's cancer is in remission, the group decided to proceed to help others knowing what it was like to have their friend deal with cancer.
Other band members involved in the project included Cody Romshak of Piedmont and Dave Clo, the son of a former St. Clairsville Baptist minister.
Seventeen songs comprised the CD and three were recorded at Clo's basement studio in Nashville where he works as a professional musician with many Christian rock and contemporary artists. The other 14 songs were recorded at Romshak's garage studio in Piedmont.
The CD offers a variety of songs ranging from the blues to country and even heavy metal. "Christmas Beach" is a Jimmy Buffett type song with music written by Romshak and words by Puskarich.
The CD can be purchased for $15 by writing Mark Puskarich, 5226 Columbine Court, Columbus, OH 43230.
Beside the CD, the group also performed at a benefit concert in Columbus. Rounding the musical talent for the CD were Mitch Fox of Carrollton, Rick Brown of the Seneca Lake area and Jan Roll of New Philadelphia who sat in on drums when Puskarich played guitar.
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