July 26-27
Johnstown, PA
2024
Highlands Health Clinic is holding its annual benefit concert on August 26 with Melvin Seals & JGB! A pioneer of jam music, Seals is known for being an 18-year member of the Jerry Garcia Band, the most important side project of Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia.
“This concert is our largest fundraising activity and supports services to those in our community who do not have health insurance,” said Rosalie Danchanko, executive director of Highlands Health. “We are excited to once again offer an outstanding show for this great cause.”
“Jerry Garcia’s vision was that art and music could collectively heal the world,” noted Bryan Hummel, who is co-chairman of the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival and helped book the event. “So it’s fitting that Melvin Seals & JGB is our headlining talent for this benefit event supporting Highlands Health, which works to heal those in need in our community.”
Melvin Seals & JGB: Melvin Seals has been a powerful presence in the music industry for over 30 years with a long-established reputation as a performer, recording artist and producer. Melvin is most revered for his powerful, high-spirited, Hammond B-3 organ, and keyboards in the Jerry Garcia Band. Melvin spun his B-3 magic with the Jerry Garcia Band for 18 years and in doing so helped pioneer and define what has now become “Jam Band Music”. From blues to funk to rock to jazz, Melvin Seals serves up a tasty mix with a little R&B and gospel thrown in to spice things up.
Melvin and JGB bring an intuitive, expressive style, soul, spontaneity and remarkable chops to the table. John Kadlecik on lead guitar and vocal duties, John-Paul McLean’s savory bass, Jeremy Hoenig on the drums and, of course, a heapin’ helpin’ of the wizard’s magic on Hammond B-3 Organ and keyboards. Their chemistry is the focus from which they create a spontaneous and high art where the sky is the limit musically. They offer an exciting, often psychedelic musical journey that changes nightly and keeps the audience dancing and smiling (and some staring in amazement) for hours.
FlowerChild: One of Johnstown’s most popular bands, FlowerChild has been entertaining audiences across the region for more than 25 years. Drawing their inspiration from the jam/funk music of the 60′ and 70’s, a FlowerChild show keeps the audience on their feet dancing.
The evening’s schedule is as follows:
A range of food vendors will be available, along with a full bar. Patrons must bring their IDs if they intend to purchase alcohol.
Highlands Health provides free and charitable medical, pharmaceutical, wellness services to the low income uninsured and under-insured in the Laurel Highlands region.
This year’s event sponsors are JWF Industries, Ron and Lisa Kuchera, and E.MAP.
