ASHLAND, Ohio—Three bands will be rocking the night away for a good cause this weekend. The area’s fourth annual Rock This Town benefit, with all proceeds benefitting the Ashland County Cancer Association and Hospice of North Central Ohio, will start at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the Ashland Eagle’s Club, 400 Eastlake Drive. Musical entertainment is from 6:30-10:30 p.m.
The three bands scheduled to perform run the gamut of ages. Archie and the Bunkers is a two-piece brother band out of Cleveland, made up of 16-year-old Emmett O’Connor on drums and Cullen O’Connor, 13, on organ. The Professors, from Columbus, are crowd favorites of the event. They have played every Rock This Town benefit and play music from the ’60s, including the Rolling Stones, the Byrds and the Beatles. The headliners are The Woggles, from Atlanta. The four-piece band gets a lot of play on “Little Steven’s Garage Show” and have traveled the globe, sharing the stage with legends such as Johnny Cash, Nancy Sinatra, and Bo Diddley.
“I first met The Woggles about 10 years ago when I was at SXSW in Austin TX. I try and see them every time they play in Cleveland at the Beachland Ballroom,” said Nancy Wasen, coordinator of Rock this Town. “I approached them in the fall about doing my benefit, and to my surprise, they were able to make it happen. They are a force to be reckoned with and just too much fun. This will truly be a night where you need to bring heavy duty dancing shoes!”
In addition to the music, there will be food available, cash bar, a photo booth, and Cleveland’s famous rock photographer, George Shuba. He has photographed numerous rock stars that played Cleveland, starting with the Beatles. Shuba will have many of his photos for sale, and he will be available to sign autographs.
There is a raffle, silent auction and a live auction. Tickets at $13 and are available at the door. All proceeds go to the Ashland County Cancer Association and Hospice of North Central Ohio. Hospice of North Central Ohio provides end-of-life services and grief support to Ashland, Richland, Crawford and Huron counties.
“My mom used Hospice the last years of her life, even though she died in the nursing home, and that cause has always been dear to me and other people that are connected to the benefit,” said Wasen. “And with my own battle with cancer, I was helped by the Ashland County Cancer Association. I feel they are a source in Ashland that doesn’t get enough “light” shed on them. Every resident of Ashland County who does battle with the beast is helped by them. You just have to reach out and ask. What a great gift we have in Ashland. Most communities have no such program.”
