*Here’s something to think about getting involved in: Three years ago John McCourt risked his life by stopping his truck and rushing into a burning building in Seymour to rescue an elderly couple. For his heroism, Mr McCourt received the Owen R. Cheatham Medal of Valor. Now his co-workers at Georgia-Pacific in Newtown are planning a benefit concert to raise money for Mr McCourt, who is gravely ill with liver cancer.

A concert-picnic featuring THE HOLDEN TRUELOVE BAND is being planned for Sunday, September 9, at Dickinson Park, right here in Newtown. In addition to a performance by the 12-year-old Thomaston resident and his band, an opening set will also be performed by Holden’s father and friends. Manny Pavone on lead guitar, Kenny Cavanaugh on drums, Richie Evon on rhythm guitar and Richie Truelove on bass will open the stage Sunday afternoon.

Everyone is donating their services. The sound engineer, the food, the bands – they’re all donating. Every cent of the money generated will go to John McCourt. The concert picnic will start round 2 and is expected to last until about 6 pm.

The event will include a pig roast plus hot dogs, hamburgers, and other food. Tickets are available in advance for $10 per person by calling 203-888-7008 and leaving a message, or at the gate for $15.

According to a story that is appearing elsewhere n The Bee this week, Mr McCourt was making one of his regular runs to Seymour in a company truck in January 1999 when he spotted flames coming from a house on Bank Street, just off Exit 21 of Route 8. After parking the truck, he learned from bystanders that an elderly couple was still inside the burning building. Without hesitating, Mr McCourt ran into the smoke-filled house and rescued the couple.

“The woman was still asleep in the back bedroom, so she was startled when I woke her up and brought her outside,” Mr McCourt later explained. The New Fairfield resident was presented with a plaque and a check for $1,000 from company executives, who made the trip to Newtown from Atlanta.

*A final reminder that tonight is the finalé for this year’s C.H. Booth Library Sounds of Summer Concert Series. RIVER CITY SLIM & THE ZYDECO HOGS, who hail from the Hartford area, will start a free concert at 7 pm on the back lawn of the library, at 25 Main Street in Newtown.

River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs bring the sounds of traditional Cajon and Creole with rocking rhythm and blues sounds into the hills of New England, regularly traveling across not only Connecticut but the entire region for their own performances and participation in festival. Copies of the group’s first CD, High On The Hog, will be available during the performance for $12 each.

Picnics are welcome, but please remember to bring bags to carry out your own trash, too. The library is at 25 Main Street/Route 25 in Newtown, just below the flagpole. In the event of rain the concert will be moved indoors. Call the library, 426-4533, for additional information.

Until next week, I’ll be seeing you… on the road.

Questions and comments should be sent to Shannon Hicks, c/o Bee Publishing Co., 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or shannon@thebee.com; or call The Bee office at 426-3141.

Shows listed on the calendar at club locations are for ages 21 and over unless specified.

 

UPCOMING CONCERTS

AUGUST 17 — River City Slim and The Zydeco Hogs at C.H. Booth Library, Newtown (Summer Concert Series, free, 7 pm); Peter Spink at CityCenter Green, Danbury (free concert, 7:30 start); The Beach Boys at Ives Concert Park, Danbury; Hubinger Street at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport; Darik & The Funbags at Toad’s Place, New Haven, B.O.D., Kick and Bent opening; Poppa Squat at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury; Moppin’ Sauce at Shenanigan’s, South Norwalk; Joe Proc at Carl Anthony’s, Monroe;

August 18 — matchbox twenty at Meadows Music Centre, Train and Seven Mary Three opening; Cosmic Box at Tuxedo Junction; Joe Proc at Putnam House, Bethel;

August 20 — Crosby, Stills & Nash at Meadows Music Centre (no ticket info yet);

August 21 — Southside Johnny at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Lounge (free show); Reveille at Toad’s Place, New Haven, Intensify and Superkid opening (all ages);

August 22 — The Beach Boys at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre, America opening; CSA Songwriters’ Showcase at Acoustic Café, Bridgeport; David Fosters & The Mohegan Sun All-Stars at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Lounge (free show);

August 23 — Godsmack and The Deftones (co-headlining) at Meadows Music Centre, Puddle of Mudd and CKY opening; Aaron Carter at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre, The A*Teens and Leslie Carter opening; Joan Jett at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Lounge (free show); Lil’ Brian Terry & The Zydeco Travelers at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Psychedelic Breakfast at Toad’s Place, Miracle Orchestra opening (all ages);

August 24 —Vince Neil, Ratt, Slaughter and Vixen at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre; Nils Lofgren at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Lounge (free show); DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid with Matthew Shipp at Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield; Hipnotic at Tuxedo Junction; Deep Banana Blackout at Toad’s Place (all ages);

August 25 — Yes at Mohegan Sun Pavilion, Uncasville; The Zoo at Tuxedo Junction; Moppin’ Sauce at Lily Lake Inn, Wolcott;

August 26 — The Allman Brothers Band at Meadows Music Centre, Susan Tedeschi opening;

August 29 — The B.B. King Blues Festival at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre, with King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt and Tommy Castro; Kansas at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den Lounge (free show);

August 30 —Lloyd’s Blues Music Festival at Mohegan Sun’s Uncas Pavilion featuring B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt & The Goners, and Tommy Castro (show starts 5 pm); Maxi Priest at Toad’s Place.

August 31 — Johnny Rawls at Black-Eyed Sally’s; Styx at Foxwoods Casino’s Fox Theater; The Wallbangers at Tuxedo Junction.

SEPTEMBER 1 —The Yes Symphonic Tour at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford; Erykah Badu at Foxwoods, Ledyard; Darik & The Funbags at Tuxedo Junction, Danbury;

September 2 — Sol Dog at The Avenue Café, Black Rock (**mid-afternoon show); W.A.SP. at The Webster Theatre, Hartford (all ages), with Mushroomhead, Flotsam & Jetsam, et al (mini metal festival, additional bands to be announced); 2 Skinnee J’s at Toad’s Place, New Haven

September 3 —radio 104 Fest 2001 at ctnow.com Meadows Music Center featuring Blink 182, The Crystal Method, Dave Navarro, Alien Ant Farm, Sum41, Scapegoat Wax, Newfound Glory, Prime S.T.H., Stereomud, Saliva, Boy Hits Car, Crash Palace, The Start, Jimmy Eat Wrld, Bad Ronald, Cold, The Calling, et al; The Yes Symphonic Tour at Ives Concert Park, Danbury;

September 4 — Disco Biscuits at Toad’s Place (all ages);

September 7 — REO Speedwagon at Foxwoods Casino’s Fox Theater; Moppin’ Sauce at Amberjacks, South Norwalk; Duncan Sheik at Aldrich Museum, Ridgefield (**note: space is limited, call the museum before driving over, 203-438-4519);

September 8 — Moppin’ Sauce at Hot Shots II, Newtown; Disco Biscuits at The Webster Theater;

September 9 — Alabama at ctnow.com Oakdale Theatre; Soulcracker at The Webster Theater, Missing Joe, Eclectic Nobodys and Save Face opening (all ages).