Country Women Concert for Women’s Cancer
Rocked Boston's Hard Rock Cafe
By: Doug Hall - Nov 09, 2019
Country Women Concert for Women’s Cancer
Benefitting the Susan F. Smith Center Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Hard Rock Café Boston – Sat. Nov. 2 – 8pm
Taking the stage for a “blow-out” sold-out performance, both Massachusetts-area country singers Annie Brobst and her band and Samantha Rae with Whiskey-6 delivered an over-charged performance from the heart. Full throttle voices reminded the Hard Rock Café audience of the importance of funding research for women’s cancer.
With warm-up by Nashville recording artist, singer/songwriter Darren Bessette on acoustic guitar, the crowd was delivered a set of crafted ballads along with some covers of favorite country songs. With an audience in full spirit for the cause of the evening benefit, the atmosphere and upcoming musicians were well primed for this sold-out, standing-room only show.
Samantha Rae and Whiskey-6 opened the night’s performances with obvious chemistry and friendship as the band seemed to be on their own front porch. Rae’s sometimes raspy; sometimes smooth and sexy vocals carried the songs along with lead guitarist George Politis’ active string picking, and a vocals.
Whiskey-6 brought the full line-up of traditional country instruments to solid effect, including banjo, mandolin, country fiddle, and electric & acoustic guitars. Also special guest Sandy Gennaro, international touring/session drummer, joined the band for a song and drum riff or two. Playing several cuts from their 2019 EP release Party Town, including the title song and “First Time in a Long Time”, Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way” and Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” The audience was drawn in by the energy on stage, with Rae front and center. During the 2ndset, Rae had two sign holders on each side of the stage, reminding the audience of the cause for research, funding support and awareness of women’s cancer.
Annie Brobst is one of the most sought after country singers in New England. She earmed the 2019 New England Country Music Award for Best Female Country Music Artist. Backed up by a tight, rhythm-driven, in-synch band, Brobst delivered both spirited versions of romping songs and personal reflections from both her debut EP release Ghost (East Lex Records, 2016) and cuts from her first full album My First Rodeo (Annie Brobst, 2019). Ballads including “Buy Me a Boat” and “Everythings Gonna Be Alright” were life-experience stories that were made more poignant because of the evening’s benefit.
Country music singers Brobst and Rae and drummer Jay Dellisola with Whiskey-6 jumped in on the project with community spirit. The opportunity to “do” a fundraiser “is the feeling of giving – rewarding, not an obligation” as expressed by Whiskey-6 drummer Dellisola. They were “joining forces” as proclaimed by collaborating country music singer Annie Brobst - to “blow-up” this show in turnout and performance. As stated by Rae of Whiskey-6 “cancer affects everyone, one way or another.”
“Country Women Concert for Women’s Cancer” contributed all proceeds from the evenings performance. That included sales of concert merchandise, raffle and auctioned country music memorabilia (including a signed Charlie Daniels’ fiddle). Also a significant donation was made to Susan F. Smith Center Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
This effort may prove to be more than just a one-night stand. Brobst, Rae and Dellisola suggested that they would like to make it happen again. Having satisfied their audience at the Hard Rock Café all the musicians involved enjoyed the reward of giving.