Big Brother & the Holding Company Benefit Concert

• August 2, 2010

Dunsmuir celebrates the music of the 60′s with a return of Big Brother and the Holding Company.

A little over 40-years ago, Dunsmuir was treated to one of the hottest, most dynamic bands of the 60s — Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Three remaining members of the original band will return on September 11 for a benefit concert in the historic Dunsmuir City Ball Park. The venue opens at 3 p.m. with the first band set to perform at 4:00.

Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley, and Chuck Jones formed the band in the summer of 1965 in a Victorian mansion/boarding house in the Haight Ashbury in San Francisco. The iconic Janis Joplin joined the band in June 1966 with Dave Getz replacing Chuck Jones that December.

Big Brother quickly became one of the most influential bands of the psychedelic music movement.

The band played in Dunsmuir in 1967 at an all-ages dance club called the Little Black Egg. When Big Brother returns to Dunsmuir with Albin, Andrews, and Getz in September, they will reprise many of old favorites as well as performing newer hits like “Hold Me.” This historic return takes place on the same ball field Babe Ruth played an exhibition game in 1924.

The Fabulous Blackwell Brothers open for Big Brother. This high-energy band performs a roaring mix of rocking blues, funk, and neo-psychedelic rock. Featuring Harry and Debbie Blackwell on guitar and vocals, Mark Carnes on bass guitar, Vanda Raven Moon on keyboards, and Leroy Mathwig on drums, the Fabulous Blackwell Brothers is passionate, powerful, and always danceable.

The Lottery, a 3-piece experimental rock band that draws heavily on psychedelic rock influences fills out the bill. Lottery members Ryan Marchand, Jake Wesolowski, and Paul Kreizenbeck released their debut album, “Empires,” in February 2009, and have an enthusiastic young following.

Net proceeds from ticket sales and concessions will benefit senior assistance projects through the Dunsmuir Community Resource Center. There is a real need of seniors for firewood and utility support in the winter months. A portion of the proceeds will go to student athletics and programs run by Dunsmuir High School Boosters.

Tickets are $28 in advance and $35 at the door. They can be purchased online at www.dunsmuir.com/chamber or by calling 530-235-2177.

Tickets can also be purchased at Brown Trout Gallery (530-235-0754), the Dunsmuir Brewery Works (530-235-1900), and Dunsmuir Hardware (530-235-4539) in Dunsmuir, Village Books (530-926-1678) and The Wayside Grill (530-918-9234) in Mount Shasta, and Bogbean Books & Music (530-246-8657) in Redding.

Bring blankets or lawn chairs and be prepared for a magical afternoon and evening of nostalgia, old and new music, and top entertainment when Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Fabulous Blackwell Brothers, and the Lottery.　

Event Location: Dunsmuir Ball Park, 4841 Dunsmuir Avenue, Dunsmuir, CA 96025.　

Event Contact Information: Dunsmuir Chamber of Commerce, 530-235-2177