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Blues For A Cure Christmas CD

Audio Samples

Blues For A Cure Christmas

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SONG LIST (Click link to listen to MP3 sample)
1. Christmas Comes But Once A Year 8. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2. Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid 9. Go Tell It On The Mountain
3. Every Day Is Christmas 10. Have You Heard The News?
4. Merry Christmas Baby 11. I’ll Be Blue Without You
5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town 12. Santa’s Blues
6. God Bless The Child 13. Santa Found His Groove
7. Father Of Lights    

 

Song Credits and Liner Notes

The Story

“Blues is the healer.” – John Lee Hooker

The idea behind Blues For A Cure was born during a phone call with my friend Dr. Paul McCarthy, owner of Honeybee Records. We discussed the notion that Blues music can effect positive change in the world. We then discussed how to support that notion by raising money for a charity, paying the artists a reasonable wage, and presenting an awesome showcase of live Blues worthy of festival designation. At the time, my mother was undergoing chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. My younger sister and stepmother are cancer survivors and my piano player, John Popovich, is in remission. The charity was clear.

I spoke with Lori Popovich, of The American Cancer Society, and got the official go-ahead to move forward with this concept. Soon after, I met Blues enthusiast and Mediu CEO Mike Berichon, who last year lost his sister to cancer. Mike loved the idea and wanted to be a part of it. In the summer, Mike and I met with Tracy Moran and Steve Chaykowski at The OSU James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute. They embraced the idea and educated us about the different ways we could donate.

Around this same time, I met Mark Puskarich, of A Christmas To Cure Cancer, through mutual friend and musician Brian Duress. I learned that Mark and I shared a personal motivation to raise money for cancer research. He had been doing so successfully for several years through his amazing work producing and selling CDs, promoting live music events, and donating 100% of the proceeds to cancer research through A Christmas To Cure Cancer. Mark dedicated his time and resources to our new idea, and Blues For A Cure was born. The Sean Carney Band performed at a benefit event for A Christmas to Cure Cancer on November 30, 2007, at The Crown Plaza in Dublin, Ohio, and in February 2008 on the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, along with Mike Albert & The Big E Band, Chris Logsdon, Kelly Crum-Delaveris and Emerson Drive.

Whiskey Dick's is where The Sean Carney Band won The Columbus Blues Challenge in 2006 and started down the road to winning The 2007 International Blues Challenge. Management at the venue was so enthusiastic about hosting the event that they donated a percentage of the day's profits to Blues For A Cure! Following a meeting with Morse Road Guitar Center Manager Patrick Scott, Guitar Center came onboard as our first sponsor, committing to provide backline for the event along with Category 5 Amplification.

The Columbus Dispatch, WCBE 90.5 FM, BluesWax, and The Columbus Blues Alliance helped us get the word out about Blues For A Cure. Our great lineup featured The Delta Sheiks, Teeny Tucker, Hurricane Jerry & Stormfront, Cal Baldi, Willie Pooch & The Upsetters, The Don Norman Blues Band with Omar Coleman (from Chicago's West Side), and The Sean Carney Band. It was an incredible event and an incredible night of music.  The folks who bought premium reserve seating felt they got more than their money's worth with seven hours of quality entertainment.

With our inaugural event behind us, Mark suggested we move forward with recording and producing the Blues For A Cure CD you now hold in your hands.  This disc is a wonderful example of the healing power of the blues, because it brought together an amazing collection of blues musicians who share the desire to battle cancer and raise awareness.  Although we planned that the CD would encompass Central Ohio blues, responses from friends in Detroit, Kansas City, Jackson (Mississippi), Cleveland and elsewhere came in to make this CD something more than we had planned.

During production of this CD, I learned my mother’s Hodgkin’s Lymphoma has returned. And, on May 22, 2008, we said goodbye to friend and Columbus Blues Alliance volunteer Shirley Spencer, who lost her battle with cancer.  There’s another special person I would like to acknowledge who made the first Blues For A Cure such an incredible afternoon:  Cal Baldi, who at 14, made his first appearance on stage at our event. It was to be Cal’s one and only show, as he didn’t wake up on the morning of his 15th birthday.

I am personally moved by all of the great talent that came forward to share the vision of what Blues For A Cure is all about….. through raising money to support cancer research and healing and supporting our loved ones through the power and honesty of music.  Very special thanks to Mark Puskarich, to Avis Budget Car Rental Group (allowing 100% of the donations from this CD to go to cancer research), and to my business partner/drummer Eric Blume for being the rock who makes it possible for me to pursue this very special charity.

God Bless,
Sean Carney

“I would like to dedicate my work on this CD to my mother, Mary Hinson, in her brave battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and to the memories of my dear friends Shirley Spencer, Cal Baldi, Jimmy "T-99" Nelson and Dave Bernstein.” – Sean Carney

1. Christmas Comes But Once A Year – Sean Carney Band

Sean Carney – Lead Vocal, Guitar
David Bow – Bass Guitar
John Popovich – Organ
Chuck Moore – Saxophones
Jim Godin – Trumpet
Eric Blume – Drums

Words and Music by Amos Milburn and Albert Shubert.
Recorded at Tony’s Treasures Studio, Cadiz, OH.  Saxophone, trumpet and organ recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

“I would like to dedicate my work on this CD to my mother, Mary Hinson, in her brave battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and to the memories of my dear friends Shirley Spencer, Cal Baldi, Jimmy "T-99" Nelson and Dave Bernstein.” – Sean Carney

2. Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid – Delta Sheiks

Dan West – Lead Vocal
Jim Biersdorf – Harmonica
Sam “Woody” Williams – Bass
Bill Bostwick – Guitar
David West – Drums
Mark Puskarich – Sleigh Bells

Words and Music by Mel London and Eddie C. Campbell.

Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

3. Every Day Is Christmas – Steve Gerard and The Mississippi Debonaires

Doctor ‘D’ – Lead Vocal
Steve Gerard – Guitar
King Edward Antoine – Guitar
Johnny Hubbard – Double Bass
Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic Jr. – Organ
Dwight T. Ross Jr. – Drums

Words and Music by Steve Gerard, BMI, recorded at Olympic Records, Jackson, MS.  Produced by Steve Gerard, Misha Hercules – Engineer, Mixed by Steve McBride, Blue Edge Records, Kansas City, MO.  Used by permission.

“In loving memory of my dad John Gerard, my brother Doug Gerard and my friend and fellow musician Dan Brown.” – Steve Gerard

4.  Merry Christmas Baby – Alberta Adams

Alberta Adams – Lead Vocal
Mark Lincoln Braun (aka Mr. B) – Piano
Kurt Krahnke – Acoustic Bass
RJ Spangler - Drums

Words and Music by Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore.  Arranged by RJ Spangler.
Produced by RJ Spangler.  Executive Producer Frank Traum. Mixed and mastered by Jef Reynolds.  Engineered by Jef Reynolds, Scott Louden and Nolan Rossi.  Recording courtesy of Eastlawn Records www.eastlawnrecords.com.  Recorded at Aashrum Studios, Ortonville, MI.  Mixed and mastered at Statler Studio, St. Clair Shores, MI.  Used by permission.

5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Gene Walker, Sean Carney and Dave Powers

Gene Walker – Saxophone
Sean Carney – Guitar
Dave Powers – Piano
Joe Yancy – Bass Guitar
Louie Tsamous – Sleigh Bells
John Ong – Drums

Music by Haven Gillespie and J. Fred Coots (ASCAP).  Arrangement by Gene Walker © 2008.
Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

“I dedicate my performance to honor the memory of my beloved brother James Ong.” – John Ong

Joe Yancy is a  survivor of prostate cancer. He dedicates his performance to those who raised money so he could be a survivor and to pay forward and help those who will be diagnosed in the future.

6. God Bless The Child – Patrick McLaughlin

Patrick McLaughlin – Guitars
Molly Young – Bass Guitar
Darrell Jumper – Drums

Music by Billie Holiday and Arthur Herzog Jr. Arrangement by Patrick McLaughlin.
Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

“I dedicate my performance to the memory and family of Jeffrey P. Cooper. My favorite musician and an extraordinary person. Jeff found joy in everything. I try to be more like that everyday.”  – Patrick McLaughlin

“I dedicate my performance to the memory of my Grandmother Betty and Mother Diane Young.” – Molly Young

7. Father Of Lights – Hurricane Jerry and Stormfront

Jerry Loos – Lead Vocal, Guitars
Pete Hanratty – Organ, Backing Vocals
Steve Hatcher – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tom Venne – Drums

Words and Music by John Barnett.  Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

“To my mother Eva Marvaleen Loos and mother-in law Eileen Bembenek, who both died from cancer. They were loving mothers to all their children and are greatly missed. Music was an important part of their lives. I thank and praise our Lord Jesus Christ for blessing my wife Jeannie and I with the mothers we each had. I dedicate the songs I've recorded to the memory and precious lives of each of them.” – Jerry Loos

8. Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Mike Albert and The Big ‘E’ Band

Mike Albert – Lead Vocal
Mary Sorensen – Backing Vocals
Sandy Longshore – Backing Vocals
Lorne VanFossen – Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mitch Fox – Piano, Backing Vocals
Jeff Mattevi – Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jan Roll – Drums, Backing Vocals

Words and Music by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
Recorded at Tony’s Treasures Studio, Cadiz, OH.  Mary and Sandy’s backing vocals recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

“I would like to dedicate my contributions to this CD to my friend and coworker Lisa Thorne.  She has been a truly great example of faith and thanksgiving throughout her ordeal with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  I am happy to say she is now cancer free!  Her testimony throughout this horrible disease will forever speak to her family, friends and all the students and staff at Butler Elementary School.  You go, girl!” - Sandy Longshore

"I would like to make a dedication to my cousin Ryan Armbrust. He was diagnosed, treated and is cancer free. May there be many more as lucky as you, Ryan. I love you." – Jeff Mattevi

9. Go Tell It On The Mountain – Reece Lincoln and The Renegades

Reece Lincoln – Lead Vocal, Backing Vocals, Guitar
Brad Willison – Bass Guitar and Backing Vocals
Sam Reck – Drums and Backing Vocals

Words by John W. Work, Jr. (1907). Recorded at Central City Recording, Columbus, OH.

"Dedicated to my grandpa Robert May, who fought a courageous battle with melanoma before passing away in 1994." – Brad Willison

10. Have You Heard The News? – Gus Lambros and Penny Allison

Penny Allison – Lead Vocal
Gus Lambros – Lead Guitar and Licks
Scott Smalley – Bass Guitar
Lorne VanFossen – Rhythm Guitar
Mitch Fox – Piano
Jan Roll – Drums

Words and Music by Koko Taylor, Eyeball Music, BMI.
Recorded at Tony’s Treasures Studio, Cadiz, OH.

11. I’ll Be Blue Without You – Dave Clo and Shane McConnell

Shane McConnell – Lead Vocal
Dave Clo – Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Electronic Keys and Synths
Glen Kimberlin – Bass Guitar
Jeromy Rowe – Drums
Reagan Clo – Stomps and Claps

Words and Music by Dave Clo.
Recorded at Camp David Studio, Nashville, TN.  Mixed by Dave Clo. Used by permission.

12.  Santa’s Blues – Sean Carney and the Nite Owlz

John Popovich – Lead Vocal, Piano
Sean Carney – Guitar
Eddie Baird – Tenor Saxophone
David West – Drums
Keith Koby – Double Bass

Words and Music by Charles Brown.  Arrangement by John Popovich. Recorded at The Rubber Room, Columbus, OH.  Produced by John Popovich for Mills James Productions.  Recorded and mixed by Eric Blume.  Used by permission.

13. Santa Found His Groove – Walter Tore

Walter Tore – Lead Vocal, All Instrumentation

Words and Music by Walter Tore © 2008.  Produced and Mixed by Walter Tore at The Dream Tunnel Studio in Granville, OH.  Used by permission.

"This song is dedicated to Lightning Hopkins, who was a mentor to me, and died of cancer.” – Walter Tore

Produced by Mark Puskarich for Blues For A Cure and Sean Carney © 2008
Except where stated otherwise, this CD was produced and engineered by Mark Puskarich and Cody Romshak at Tony’s Treasures Studio in Cadiz, Ohio. www.tonystreasuresproductions.com
Mastered by Mark Puskarich, Columbus, OH.

“For all my efforts in producing this CD, I dedicate in honor and memory of Heather Pick Cygan.  There's a new star shining in the heavens.  God got a good one.  And to her husband Joe, daughter Julie and son Jack.  We'll always remember her." – Mark Puskarich

For additional pictures and videos, and the latest on fundraising and concert dates, please visit our websites at www.bluesforacure.org and  www.achristmastocurecancer.org.  Blues For A Cure, (DBA) under A Christmas To Cure Cancer, Inc. is an IRS registered 501(c)(3) non–profit corporation.

Thanks To

A very special thanks to the guys at Central City Recording: Andrew Dodson, Ben Miller and Max Lewis for all your tracking and flexibility with scheduling the artists.  And always, thanks to Cody Romshak and Dave Clo, without whom I’d never be able to pull this off.  To my sister Lisa for proofing everything on a minute’s notice and catching all the small things.  Andrew Schall for your beautiful designs and artwork.  Mark Frizzel and Dave Marsh, of West-Camp Press, for making my small projects of big importance to your facility.  Laura Strickland for creating our Blues For A Cure logos.  And, thanks so much to everyone for supporting our cause.  We all work so very hard to help make an impact on cancer research. – Mark Puskarich

CD cover, CD insert graphic design and CD insert by Andrew Schall.  Blues For A Cure logo designed by Laura Strickland.  www.laurastrickland.com

Song List

  • Christmas Comes But Once A Year – Sean Carney Band – 3:46
  • Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid – The Delta Sheiks – 3:07
  • Every Day Is Christmas – Steve Gerard & The Mississippi Debonaires – 4:39
  • Merry Christmas Baby – Alberta Adams – 4:51
  • Santa Claus Is Coming To Town – Gene Walker, Sean Carney, Dave Powers – 4:32
  • God Bless The Child – Patrick McLaughlin – 5:20
  • Father Of Lights – Hurricane Jerry & Stormfront – 5:02
  • Santa Claus Is Back In Town – Mike Albert & The Big ‘E’ Band – 2:47
  • Go Tell It On The Mountain - Reece Lincoln & The Renegades – 3:48
  • Have You Heard The News? - Gus Lambros & Penny Allison – 3:55
  • I’ll Be Blue Without You – Dave Clo & Shane McConnell – 2:43
  • Santa’s Blues – Sean Carney & The Nite Owlz – 2:49
  • Santa Found His Groove – Walter Tore – 2:34

Blues For A Cure Christmas Artist List

  • Alberta Adams
  • Bill Bostwick
  • Brad Willison
  • Chuck Moore
  • Dan West
  • Darrell Jumpers
  • Dave Clo
  • Dave Powers
  • David Bow
  • David West
  • Doctor ‘D’
  • Dwight T. Ross Jr.
  • Eddie Bayard
  • Eric Blume
  • Gene Walker
  • Glen Kimberlin
  • Gus Lambros
  • Jan Roll
  • Jeff Mattevi

 

  • Jeromy Rowe
  • Jerry Loos
  • Jim Biersdorf
  • Jim Godin
  • Joe Yancy
  • John Ong
  • John Popovich
  • Johnny Hubbard
  • Keith Koby
  • King Edward Antoine
  • Lorne VanFossen
  • Louie Tsamous
  • Mark Puskarich
  • Mary Sorensen
  • Mike “Shinetop” Sedovic Jr.
  • Mike Albert
  • Mitch Fox
  • Molly Young
  • Patrick McLaughlin
  • Penny Allison
  • Pete Hanratty
  • Reagan Clo
  • Reece Lincoln
  • Sam “Woody” Williams
  • Sam Reck
  • Sandy Longshore
  • Scott Smalley
  • Sean Carney
  • Shane McConnell
  • Steve Gerard
  • Steve Hatcher
  • Tom Venne
  • Walter Tore

 

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Purchase CD
A Christmas To Cure Cancer 6
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Happy Christmas
Liz & Ralph & Calvin
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Guitar)
Grown Up Christmas List
Christmas Drive
Three Hundred Sixty Four
Merry Christmas Baby
Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight)
It's Christmas
Baby It's Cold Outside
Starbright
Dance Of The Elves
Silent Night
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (Piano)
The Secret Of Christmas
Fireside
O Holy Night
Believe
 
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©2018 A Christmas To Cure Cancer, Inc.