Bandmates, Brothers and Friends Returns May 9, For the Third Annual Event
For the third year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of outstanding musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year they will be joined by The JayR Brink Bank as part of the musical line-up, all held on Friday evening May 9, from 6-11 pm at the Allamakee Fairgrounds Pavilion.
The first set of BBF members will take the stage to begin the night, offering a variety of older country music, with a second sent of BBF members performing a variety of hits from the 50’s through the 90’s. The JayR Brink Band will close the evening.
This year’s event will mark the 47th year that many of BBF’s original members had first played in a band together. Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers, John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson. They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, longtime band members over the years.
“All 11 guys from Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) said ‘yes’ again this year, so there’s a ton of excitement about being back. If you think about the bands these guys were in across the tri-state, and each musician being available for a single night each of the last three years, it’s truly special and almost a miracle,” states Bill Withers, event coordinator. “We had a blast with The Toe Tappers last year, and we’re equally excited to be working with The JayR Brink Bank this year. That means a fun night and a variety of music everyone can enjoy, sing with, and dance to…oldies, country, rock, and all from the last few decades.”
Other members of the BBF band also share their excitement to return for this third annual event, including Keel Clemmens, longtime keyboardist, singer, and family friend to the late Dr. Bill and Libby Withers since his days at Luther College back in 1981. He states, “I’m very excited to once again be involved with this event. It’s always a pleasure to see everyone come out to support the hospital this way, and it’s a great way to honor the memory of Dr. Withers. Dr. Bill’s commitment to the hospital and the City of Waukon assured the level of care remains at a superb level.”
Another local, original Waukon member of the band, Todd Pickett, who is also a former Luther College graduate, plays trombone and shares his vocals at these events. He adds, “I still play quite a bit in the Eau Claire area, but this event has become one of the highlights of the year for me.”
The JayR Brink Band will be finishing out the night with their well-known variety of music covering a mix of country, folk and oldies with a folky, alternative country style. They have been playing the Midwest for over a decade with a varying line-up of seasoned members from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Alone and with others, JayR has been performing in some form for over 20 years starting at local venues at the age of 14.
A free-will donation will be accepted at the door that evening, plus pizza will be available by the slice. For more information, please contact the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation at 563-568-3411.
