Dollars for Diane 33

NOTE: This articles were originally published at DAMESofPA.com in early 2010.

Event

The Dollars for Diane Benefit Concert was held on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at Ole Tyme Charley’s in Plains, Pa. There was entertainment provided by a wide range of artists as well as door prizes and chance prizes for attendees. A great time was had by all.

Chuck Sweptson of S&J Sound provided sound for the event and entertainment was provided from six of PA’s finest musical acts with diverse styles from rock and pop to folk and Americana. Doors opened at 5:00pm, with entertainment beginning at 6:00 and running until around midnight. The cover charge was only $5.00 and the event was for ages 21+.

Lineup

6:00	Animal Society	Harrisburg, Pa
7:00	Rhyne McCormick	New Cumberland, Pa
8:00	Pan.a.ce.a	Wilkes-Barre, Pa
9:00	Scott Erickson	Danville, Pa
10:00	The Traveling Wilkes-Barrians	Wilkes-Barre, Pa
11:00	Gone Crazy	Wilkes-Barre, Pa

Diane Kovaleski, a Wilkes-Barre resident, suffered a severe brain injury during surgery to remove a tumor from her optic nerve in 2007. This has left her unable to walk, talk, or care for neither herself or her young daughter, Zayda.

Family and friends have rallied for Diane’s cause in the past, and these events have helped finance Diane’s medical care. This time the proceeds benefited Center for Brain Injury and Repair at the University of Pennsylvania and a scholarship fund for Zayda.

As of February 10, 2010, about $1800.00 has been donated to these causes.

Album

Some of Pennsylvania’s finest artists have come together to donate their talents in support of Diane Kovaleski, a young woman from Wilkes-Barre, who suffered a major stroke during a routine surgery in 2007. All songs included on this 15-track CD are original compositions by artists from the Keystone State.

The CD gets kickin’ with the upbeat, roots-rock of Shawn Z’s “One End of the Candle” followed by the more somber, Bowie-esque “To the Dogs” by Stoney Creek. Pittsburgh’s Brad Yoder provides an excellent acoustic guitar and banjo folk blend with the hopeful, uplifting “Any Day”. Mycenea Worley next lends her fantastic talent with the song “Low” followed by hard rock sensations Pan.a.ce.a with their catchy hit “Stay”.

Some of the mid-state’s most popular acts then follow. Tripp McNeely provides some cool groove with their aptly title “Off & Running”, the legendary Darcie Miner gives her unmistakable voice to “Wide Awake in Silence”, while HotWingJones show how they’ve expanded their horizons with the intense new song “The Big Sea”. “Deuce” is a fun jam by Imaginary Lines that trades synth and guitar leads, while new wave legends Hormoans provide a rebellious anthem with “Not One of You”.

The only “live” song on the compilation is the flawless rendition of “Deeper” by Rhyne McCormick from his Capitol Theatre performance last year. This is followed by the well-produced and catchy “Atmosphere” by father-and-son tandem Craig & Alex Bannon and the intense “Judgement Eyes” by the acoustic-driven trio Ron Fleeger & the Stranger.

The album’s focal point is “Song for Diane”, which personalizes Diane’s situation. Written especially for this compilation by Ric Albano, the song was produced by Bret Alexander (who actually produced several of the songs on this CD) and performed by Diane’s cousin PJ Heckman. Folk sensation Hannah Bingman caps off the album with “Finished, Fine’, Done”, a perfect closer in both title and mood.

All in all, the CD is an eclectic mix that explores the diverse talent of Pennsylvania artists without straying so far as to not be accessible and pleasant to most music lovers, no matter what genre he or she may favor.

The Dollars for Diane Compilation is being sold independently with proceeds going to The University of Pennsylvania Center for Brain Injury and Repair as well as a scholarship fund for Diane’s daughter, Zayda. At only $5.00 each (that’s only 33 cents per song!), this is not only a charitable contribution but a great value as well.

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