Inaugural Music Festival to Raise Money for Veterans

by Jonathan Weaver

A half-dozen regional bands will show their support for military veterans through a daylong music festival tomorrow in Apollo.

Set for outdoors along Kings Road in the borough’s Orchard Hills neighborhood, the country and rock bands will perform to raise funds for Wounded Warriors of Pennsylvania and the Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center in Cowansville.

The event was organized by Dave Batistig and Billy Citeroni – both co-owners of WonderTwins Productions.

“We actually talked about doing this last year, but the timing didn’t present itself,” Batistig said. “There are a lot of fundraisers that happen, but there’s nothing like this in our area specifically for our wounded veterans.”

Batistig’s uncle, Bruce, and father, Dave, are both Vietnam veterans and three other extended family members are World War II veterans.

The production company only formed last year, but Batistig – of Elderton – and Citeroni – of Homer City – perform together in the `80’s tribute band ‘13 Stories’ and will again to conclude tomorrow’s festival.

Of the other five bands set to perform, the musicians knew members from four other groups - ‘Sourmash,’ ‘Van Waylon,’ ‘Live Wire,’ and ‘East Coast Turnaround’ – with ‘Coal Town’ being “highly recommended” and part of two previous WonderTwins events earlier this year.

Garage Rock/Country Band ‘Coal Town’ will be the first of the five bands to play beginning at 3PM.

Lead Guitarist Matt Cavallo, of Slickville, helped form the band in 2013 with vocalist Matt McDivitt. Cavallo said Batistig and Citeroni are “really good guys, fun to work with.”

The band has also performed this Summer in Kittanning and in Vandergrift.

‘East Coast Turnaround’ Rhythm Guitarist/Songwriter Chad Fetty – of Jeannette (Westmoreland County) – identified former guitarist Mike Butler as a U.S Marine Corps veteran. He and his fellow musicians are “super excited” for this weekend’s performance.

“There’s not a night that doesn’t go by where I don’t take a moment to thank all our veterans – here and abroad, men and women, down to police, EMS and firefighters. I appreciate them to the fullest extent with what they’re willing to sacrifice to give me the dreams I want to have,” Fetty said. “Every show, I make sure to send a special ‘thank you’ to anyone who puts on a uniform for a living to protect my way of life.”

Guitarist and Mandelin Player Tim Henry, of Leechburg, is one of the original musicians in Southern Rock band ‘Sourmash.’ He identified the band’s drummer Matt Knapp as a military veteran.

In addition, the band’s single “I Walk Alone” was written to honor veterans.

“A lot of us have family members, fathers, which have served the country. It’s important to us,” Henry said.

There will be a “singer/songwriter” showcase from 1- 2:45PM featuring local, up and coming artists from around the area, according to the event ticket page, EventBrite.

Expected to speak at the event are a Marine Corps veteran and State Representative Jeff Pyle.

Saturday’s event will be the first along Kings Road – a 20-acre site Batistig’s uncle owns. Batistig hopes the event turns into an annual benefit.

Mechling-Shakley Executive Director Sean Taladay is considering sending veterans to the event if there is interest.

Gates open at noon tomorrow.