Bandmates, Brothers and Friends to return May 9, teaming up with another local favorite for third annual event benefiting VM Healthcare Foundation

For the third year, Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) will reunite in Waukon for another night of outstanding musical entertainment to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation. This year they will be joined by the JayR Brink Band as part of the musical line-up, all to be held Friday evening May 9, from 6-11 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Waukon.

The first set of Bandmates, Brothers and Friends members will take the stage to begin the night, offering a variety of older country music, with a second set of BBF  members performing a variety of hits from the 1950s through the 1990s. The JayR Brink Band will close out the evening’s musical entertainment.

This year’s event will mark the 47th year that many of BBF’s original members had first played in a band together. Many of the returning musicians are from Waukon including brothers Bill Withers, Jim Withers and John Withers, along with Gary Hesla, Bob Bechtel, Dave Dougherty, Brad Prestemon, Todd Pickett and Joel Anderson.  They will be joined by Keel Clemmens and Jamey Lideen, longtime band members over the years.

“All 11 guys from Bandmates, Brothers and Friends (BBF) said ‘yes’ again this year, so there’s a ton of excitement about being back.  If you think about the bands these guys were in across the tri-state,  and each musician being available for a single night each of the last three years, it’s truly special and almost a miracle,” states Bill Withers, event coordinator. “We had a blast with the Toe Tappers last year, and we’re equally excited to be working with the JayR Brink Band this year. That means a fun night and a variety of music everyone can enjoy, sing with, and dance to…oldies, country, rock, and all from the last few decades.”

Other members of the Bandmates, Brothers and Friends  band also share their excitement to return for this third annual event, including Keel Clemmens, longtime keyboardist, singer, and family friend to the late Dr. Bill and Libby Withers since his days at Luther College in Decorah back in 1981. He states, “I’m very excited to once again be involved with this event.  It’s always a pleasure to see everyone come out to support the hospital this way, and it’s a great way to honor the memory of Dr. Withers. Dr. Bill’s commitment to the hospital and the City of Waukon assured the level of care remains at a superb level.”

Another local, original Waukon member of the band, Todd Pickett, who is also a former Luther College graduate, plays trombone and shares his vocals at these events. He adds, “I still play quite a bit in the Eau Claire, WI area, but this event has become one of the highlights of the year for me.”

The JayR Brink Band will be finishing out the night with its well-known variety of music covering a mix of country, folk and oldies with a folky, alternative country style. The band has been playing the Midwest for over a decade with a varying line-up of seasoned members from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. Alone and with others, JayR Brink has been performing in some form for over 20 years starting at local venues at the age of 14.

A free-will donation will be accepted at the door that evening to benefit the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation, plus pizza will be available for purchase by the slice. For more information, contact the Veterans Memorial Health Care Foundation at 563-568-3411.