Saturday, September 29, 2001 - Hersheypark - Benefit for September 11 Fund - Jellybricks, Pete Palladino, Big Tubba Mista

Saturday, September 29, 2001
Hersheypark
Benefit for September 11 Fund
Jellybricks, Pete Palladino, Big Tubba Mista

www.thejellybricks.com
www.petepalladino.com
www.bigtubbamista.com

On Saturday, September 29, 2001, Hersheypark opened its gates to raise money for the “September 11 Fund.” We started our day by going on some rides and eating the oh-so-healthy snacks sold at Hershey. The first performance we went to was in the amphitheater at 2:00 for the Jellybricks. Directly after the Jellybricks, Pete Palladino was scheduled to play. At the Midway America stage, Big Tubba Mista planned to play at 4:45. There were many other performers there donating their time, but we did not want to split up and watch separate bands and other times we were just plain hungry!

Before getting into the music, let us talk about the people. While waiting behind the white plastic gate to enter the amphitheatre, an older woman got in line behind us. She stood in one place moving her body to the music of the Jellybricks’ sound check. She would grumble about not being allowed into the amphitheatre and comment that the patrons in line at the top of the amphitheatre better not be let in before those of us at the bottom. To the delight of everyone in line at stage level (okay, so that would be us, the elderly couple, and three adults), Jellybrickers Garrick and Tom leaned past the stage wall to say hi. Once the gate was opened and we were inside, we sat front and center. The four guys performed their pop tunes to a growing audience of all ages. People wafted in and out, including one man sitting in and attempting to steer an electric cart with his dog latched on to it. He was having some problems with keeping from strangling his dog. It did not look like it was something he was trying to do, but one helpful woman who was sitting behind us took action and helped the elderly man save his dog. Pete and his wife also sat in the audience enjoying the Jellybricks while keeping an eye on the merchandise.

Now, about the Jellybricks and Pete Palladino…As the Jellybrickers played, we noticed guitarist and lead vocalist, Larry, tended to make faces when concentrating on his guitar playing. He looked silly! Melanie had previously mailed the Jellybricks asking if they would be playing anything new (they were in the process of recording as of this event), so at one point, Bryce looked over at us and told the audience the next song was a newer one. Aww! Pete made a few cameos by hopping up on stage for some of his famous harmonica playing. As the set went on, the breeze that came through, occasionally carrying leaves, twisted up the passes hanging around Garrick’s and Larry’s necks. When they came back out to perform as Pete’s backing band, the passes were not gone, just untwisted. They should have taken a hint from Bryce, Tom, and Pete, and just taken them off. They just got twisted again!

Sometimes when Pete was not singing and just playing guitar, he and Larry would rock out together. Not only did Larry make his facial expressions, but Pete would also make faces. Also bringing a smile was one of Pete’s younger fans. This young boy, the very same one who wore Mike Mead’s bass at the First Friday event, kept shouting, “Hi Pete!” as his mother would shush him.

Later in the afternoon, we sat on a curb facing the huge stage erected in front of the Lighting Racer to see Big Tubba Mista. They had the field behind us filled with a large crowd of all ages. Kyle Kettering on trumpet was performing his first show with the band. What an event to mark his first show! He adorably smiled nervously on stage. While the rest of the crowd tapped their toes and nodded their heads, some daring souls danced! One man with a dark mop of hair and moustache rotated dancing partners with his female friends. A young couple that started swing dancing at the beginning of the first song not only blew us away, but also the lead vocalist, Jonny. The guy would hold out his arm parallel to the macadam and the girl would grab on and do a flip! Performing their lifts, flips, and coordinated moves, the television cameras zoomed in on them for 11 o’clock news. A few other couples danced for a song or two until the set was over. Afterwards Bob, the drummer of Big Tubba Mista, came over us in his purple shades to say hi before packing up his equipment. He inquired as to if we were heading over to Gullifty’s to see the Martini Bros. Sadly, we were not. But it was still a beautiful, music-filled day for a great cause.