Winter Blues Fest This Weekend

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:38:20 -0800

Get Ready to Rock with a Variety of Live Performances

BY SCOTT EDDY

Ellicottville will get a dose of the blues this weekend as the Winter Rhythm and Blues Festival hits town Friday and Saturday.
A number of bands are slated to rock seven different bars and restaurants with up to 15 live performances over the two-day festival. (See schedule page 2.) One of the bands highlighting the festivities is The Mick Hayes Band, five-time award winners from the 2008 Buffalo Music Awards. The band, comprised of vocalist and guitarist Mick Hayes, Dave Frost on bass and background vocals and Todd Mazurek on drums and percussion, formed in 2003 in Buffalo and plays a combination of blues and R&B. Recently, Hayes talked with The Villager about his band’s style, upcoming album, and performance at Madigan’s this Saturday night.
“As a band we share many influences,” Hayes said. “We are that classic melting pot of players. Dave Frost is a confessed Rolling Stones and classic rock fan, Todd Mazurek has traveled in many circles but specializes in funk and jazz-fusion, and I have been called a student of the game and never limited my writing or playing to one genre.”
The many influences of the band may not only come from its members’ backgrounds, but also their experiences as a touring group. The Mick Hayes Band relocated to Atlanta in 2005 and began a tour of the South and East Coast. During their time away from Western New York, the trio worked with producer Jimmy Daniels, famed for his work with bands such as The Killers, U2 and Nickelback. Like those high profile groups, Hayes says his shows are different every time the group hits the stage.
“We have a high energy show,” he said, noting the band generally plays between 10 and 12 shows each month. “We have a number of rehearsed bits that we do, but (our concerts) can best be described as unpredictable with a lot of fresh improvisation.”
Over a year and the release of a five song EP titled Segue as well as making it three rounds through the audition process for American Idol, Hayes returned to Buffalo in 2006 to concentrate on recording and releasing new music. After ten months of work, the band has recently finished their new full-length album. Recorded at Buffalo’s Audio Magic, the self-titled CD will see the light of day this month.
“After our EP officially sold over 3,000 copies, we knew that careful planning had to go into this full-length project,” Hayes said. “We spared no expenses; we used all real instruments in a day and age where that approach is becoming extinct. If you like our shows, our original songs fit in with the rest of the material.”
Hayes said he and his band mates especially appreciate the support of the area fans that have followed the band since its inception. The accolades the trio received at last year’s Buffalo Music Awards, taking home top blues honors in guitarist, male vocalist, bassist, drummer and crossover band, were further validation for a band which has blazed its own niche in the area music scene.
“Our fan base has grown through the years and it is a great feeling to share these awards with them for their continued support of a band that actually prides itself on original music that is inspired by the music of our yesterday,” Hayes said.
For more information on the Winter Rhythm and Blues Festival, visit the Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce website at www.ellicottvilleny.com. More on the Mick Hayes Band can be found at www.mickhayesband.com.
Pictured: Mick Hayes Band.

Karaoke Contest Readies to Help Kids

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:38:10 -0800

Allegany to Host Fundraiser for Variety Kids Telethon; Channel 7 to Broadcast Feb. 22 from Buffalo

BY NICHOLAS PIRCIO
WPIG 95.7 FM

Bring your singing voice to the Allegany American Legion and help a worthy cause. This marks the fifth year for the annual Variety Kids Telethon Karaoke Contest helping children who are sick, handicapped, or underprivileged. The legion is headquarters for the Olean-Allegany-Salamanca Satellite of the Variety Kids Telethon, one of eight or nine active satellites located throughout Western New York. Most of the money raised goes to Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo.
A local group of organizers gets together with the hospital’s executive group to find out where the money is really needed, according to Joanne Tidd of Allegany, who chairs the local satellite. Some of the money goes to the Robert Warner Medical Center in Buffalo, which assists children who undergo surgery “or who might have eye or ear problems.” Small amounts are also donated to camps for underprivileged kids and other children’s charities. Tidd notes that all the money raised stays in Western New York.
Throughout the year, the local satellite holds various fundraisers, including a spring rummage sale, a chicken barbecue during the summer, and a booth at the Erie county Fair. Paper hearts will be sold as decorations for Valentine’s Day. This year, a Chevy Malibu will be raffled on the day of the Telethon.
Tidd said there are many families who use Women and Children’s Hospital, a fact she did not realize until becoming involved with the Telethon. Children taken to Olean Hospital are often referred to Women and Children’s Hospital, “depending on the seriousness.” Tidd said she’s “amazed” by the number of local people who use their services.
Every year a child is selected to represent the local satellite. This year’s satellite child is Dustyn Green of Allegany, an eight-year-old boy who has muscular dystrophy. Tidd said “he’s coming along really well” and will attend the finals of the karaoke contest.
Businesses in the area that help with the fundraising “are phenomenal.” They usually “go out of their way” to help, even when times are tight. But Tidd said more volunteer help is always appreciated, since the telethon has grown “bigger and bigger” over the years and the people who now help out “can only do so much.” Tidd has been involved with the Telethon for five years and called it “the most rewarding thing” she’s ever done in her life. Just to see the progress the children make at the hospital and their smiles is “reward enough.” Tidd does not “earn a penny” for her efforts.
You must be at least 18 years old to enter the karaoke contest, although you need not attend all the preliminaries, which start on Saturday, January 10th at 8 p.m. and continue on January 17th and 24th. If you don’t make it the first time, you can try again the following week. Five semi-finalists will be chosen from each of the three preliminary rounds. These fifteen people will compete in the finals on January 31st. In addition, five “wild card” spots will be chosen on the night of the finals, from among the contestants who failed to qualify in the three preliminaries.
The Variety Kids Telethon will take place on Sunday, February 22nd, and will be broadcast over WKBW-TV Channel 7 from the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Buffalo. Donations will be accepted over phone lines connected to the Allegany American Legion, although phone numbers have yet to be announced. The event will run all day from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Viewers are encouraged to call their local satellite, so that the local area gets credit for the money donated. Walk-in donations will also be taken at the Allegany American Legion.
Anyone who would like to register for the karaoke contest or to volunteer their time for the Telethon should call Joanne Tidd at 716-372-3342. You can also register on the evening of the preliminary contest you would like to enter, but “come early.” People are encouraged to bring their own cd, “any kind they want,” although music will be made available.
Pictured: JoAnne Tidd, chairperson of the Olean/Allegany/Salamanca Satellite presenting over $16,000 they raised through many events in the Southern Tier during last year’s Telethon.

Alumnus Of The Year

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:38:01 -0800

Tina Zerbian Recently Recognized by Leadership Cattaraugus

BY CHRISTINE BIRMINGHAM

Back in December the Leadership Cattaraugus program named its 2008 Alumnus of the Year, Tina Zerbian. When good character and morality is fleeting in public officials and politicians, Leadership Cattaraugus recognizes those who commit to roles of leadership as a way to better the community and solve county issues. Zerbian, the third recipient of this award, is no exception.
“Tina was nominated because of her commitment to improving the lives of people in Cattaraugus County,” says Jesse Gugino, administrator of Leadership Cattaraugus. “Someone on the board had said ‘she brings an air of integrity to everything she does’ and it’s really true.”
Zerbian is the chief executive officer of Cattaraugus Community Action and past president of the New York State Community Action Association. She serves on numerous state and local boards and was recently named Woman of the Year by Enchanted Mountain Business and Professional Women’s Club. Zerbian was chosen as this year’s Alumnus of the Year because she helps make Cattaraugus County a better place to live.
Leadership Cattaraugus is part of a nation-wide program started in Columbus, Ohio after a plane crash killed three public officials. It was extremely difficult to replace all three officials with good leaders who understood the ins and outs of the community. As a result, there was a need for a program that taught leadership, social responsibility and county procedures. From that need came the leadership program.
“The leadership program develops leaders who can assume leadership roles on boards and committees and understand the issues of the county,” says Gugino. “It was started to groom leaders and create a network of informed people who can help resolve those county issues.”
Leadership Cattaraugus was established in 2003 by Jamestown Community College’s Cattaraugus County campus, the ReHabilitation Center, Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Bonaventure University. Zerbian was asked to join the inaugural class but declined because she thought it was another mundane leadership seminar.
“I went in as a speaker the first year and they were actually having fun,” says Zerbian. “They weren’t listening to a speaker and taking notes from a PowerPoint. So when Jesse offered me the position the next year I had to grab it.”
Zerbian says she is thankful for her experience with Leadership Cattaraugus and truly honored to be chosen as Alumnus of the year.
“This recognition means what it does to me because I know the board and know many of the alumni, and I fully appreciate that this group is the cream of the crop,” says Zerbian. “From business managers to health care professionals to educators and other leaders, Leadership Cattaraugus is made up of people of the highest standards who are most willing to commit to strengthening this community. I have always been proud to be a part of it and even more humbled to think that I was chosen to represent the values of the organization this year.”
Leadership Cattaraugus takes place over nine months, from March to December, meeting on the third Tuesday of each month. Each session covers a different topic ranging from economic development to media, and government to tourism. Gugino is currently recruiting for the 2009 class and would appreciate nominations. Visit LeadershipCattaraugus.org or call (716) 376-7572 for more information.
Pictured: Tina Zerbian.

Top Stories

Winter Blues Fest This Weekend

Karaoke Contest Readies to Help Kids

Alumnus Of The Year