Rusted Root, Donnie Iris, The Clarks, Joe Grushecky, Bill Deasy, Poverty Neck Hillbillies, Good Brother Earl, B.E. Taylor, Margot B., Crave

Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA.....

The P.L.E.A.S.E. Benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina relief.

 
my credential from the show 
 
"P.L.E.A.S.E." stood for "Pittsburgh Lends Emergency And Saving Efforts" and was an attempt to raise money for the American Red Cross following the devastation of the New Orleans area in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (80% of the proceeds were going to the Red Cross while 20% was donated to efforts in Western PA to help people still recovering from Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Around $100,000 was raised.)

Many of the region’s leading names in multiple music genres came together several weeks after the Louisiana flooding, bringing out around 8,000 people for this unique show. Not only was the crowd entertained by the musical acts, but current and former Steelers players made appearances, including Franco Harris, Louis Lipps, Andy Russell, Craig Bingham, and Jeff Reed. (All the Steelers players whipped up the crowd talking up the team's game against the Patriots the following day. The 2-0 Steelers ended up losing a close one, 23-20 on a last-minute Patriots field goal.) Personalities from multiple radio and TV stations served as M.C.s and onstage announcers, including yours truly.

Many of the musicians collaborated, like Scott Blasey of The Clarks joining Bill Deasy on "Lost in America," Deasy's signature song with his band The Gathering Field. Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root joined Joe Grushecky for "All Along the Watchtower." Rob James, guitarist for The Clarks, joined Rusted Root for "Ecstacy." 

I was happy to see Donnie Iris playing some of his iconic hits including "Ah! Leah!" and "Love Is Like a Rock." (Still the only time I've seen him live.)

The Clarks closed out the night playing "Better Off Without You," "Shimmy Low," "Penny on the Floor," and "Cigarette," and then brought out all the performers from the show to sing Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield.

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