Saturday night's benefit for Todd Heslep in New Martinsville

For the second Saturday in a row, I hopped in my car for a little longer excursion than usual to hear some fine live music. This week's destination was the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville. This is a fine small town theater, with seating for maybe 200+? The occasion was the start of the season of the "Ebert Brothers Country Variety Show." This local heritage is entering its 39 season!! It appears there may be one show a month, through the fall and winter and spring? Todd is related to the Ebert Brothers, and has mentioned enthusiastically these shows for the several years we have known each other around live music. Due to Todd (and a cousin of his) cancer, this kick off show was arranged as a benefit for them, including silent auction, refreshment sales, etc. There was a packed house of folks, obviously mostly, long time supporters of these events. The set up is in a variety show form; with a "house band" that plays through many of the acts, and some solo and combinations featured throughout. There is a long time "clown" type character who interacts with the audience in the pre-show stage. The house band may have originally been primarily the Eberts, and now has branched out to some other session guys with solid chops on their instruments.
This was an enjoyable evening of music, and though I was there mainly to see Todd, and support him, I enjoyed the diversity of music throughout. It was quite impressive the 39 year history of them putting on these shows in New Martinsville. There was a lot of nostalgia and legacy to this night of music.
Todd came out for a set, and was in fine voice, and obviously touched by the warm reception, and playing with the house band. He did a Ray Price song, Marty Robbins, and a little Johnny Cash medley. The steel guitar, and various guitar solos, and the added keyboard work, were all contributing to a great sound. There was quite a bit of diversity to the whole evening of music, with some long time friends of the event performing, and a few people mentioning this was their first time participating. They had some raffles/ auctions, and some teasing banter among the participants, which kept it "relaxed and intimate" for the loyal fans of the show, I'm sure.
I didn't really get to talk to Todd at the end, to see if he felt he was going to be up for participating in the John Prine tribute show in two weeks, but he definitely impressed me with his vocals with a strong backing band, and I now know where his roots in music come from!!!!!