Local country western band Gunsmoke is performing in its latest “Music for Hope” concert at the Piedmont Club in Darien on Friday, Oct. 20.
Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Red Cross and the charity, Samaritan’s Purse for hurricane relief in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Also performing at the hurricane relief concert is the classic rock and soul band, The Law.
Formed by brothers Jeff and Nick DeMaio Jr. of Darien, Gunsmoke has been performing classic country, western, swing and rockabilly music for over 25 years.
The Nashville recording artists have recorded six albums, performed for two sitting Presidents of the United States, and have been enshrined in the Connecticut country music hall of fame.
In addition to Jeff and Nick, Gunsmoke includes band members Christina Mae, Van Mankas and Nick DeMaio III. The band The Law covers a wide spectrum of musical hits from the 50s to the present, including rock, pop, soul and reggae, and consists of Luke Appleton-Webster, Frank LaVelle, Nick DeMaio III, and Matt Pavia.
Gunsmoke established Music for Hope in 2010 to raise funds to fight cancer on both the local and national level.
Through concerts, dinner dances and recordings, Gunsmoke and friends raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, The Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital, and The Whittingham Cancer Center at Norwalk Hospital.
Contributed photo
Gunsmoke band members Nick DeMaio Jr., Christina Mae, Van Mankas, Nick DeMaio III, and Jeff DeMaio.
With the recent advent of three major hurricanes affecting Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico, Gunsmoke is redirecting its focus for the first time, to the thousands in those areas now living without much hope.
The Piedmont, Darien’s Italian-American club, was established in 1916 and celebrated its 101st anniversary this past July.
The club, which is the meeting place for many town groups and civic organizations, also hosts blood drives, sponsors youth sports, gives scholarships and hosts a monthly Men’s Dinner.
The Piedmont has partnered with Music for Hope and Gunsmoke in the past to benefit organizations fighting cancer.
If You’re Going …
Admission for the Music for Hope Hurricane Relief Concert is $15. Reservations or donations may be made in advance at (203) 655-7884. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The show runs from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Food and drink will be available for purchase. The Piedmont Club is located at 152 Hecker Ave.