Arts & Entertainment
Ballwin to Take Blues to the Heart
This weekend, Lone Wolf Public House in Ballwin plays host to one of West County's biggest music benefits.
The blues is famous in part for consoling broken hearts, but this Sunday in Ballwin, it may help heal some ailing ones, too.
At the , the “Blues for the Heart” concert will benefit the American Heart Association and its efforts to fight cardiovascular disease.
Rich McDonough is the driving force behind the series and is one of its featured musicians. Both he and his wife work for United Health Care, and will make Sunday the 8th “Blues for the Heart” festival, but the first one held in Ballwin.
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“Lone Wolf is a new venue, and it’s a great for music,” said McDonough, a regular performer there with his band, Rough Grooves.
Besides McDonough and Rough Grooves, the day will be headlined by several local musical acts, including the Benefit Blues Band, Lucky Old Sons and Alvin Jett with Jimmyleg and the Browndogs. Several other local artists are rumored to show up for jam sessions throughout the day and night, so don't be surprised if some fresh talent appeared with any of the headlining acts, which also includes Hudson and the Hoodoo Cats, Larry and Aaron Griffin and The St. Louis Social Club.
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“They’re all really good at turning out for benefits,” McDonough said regarding the acts scheduled to play. “Some of them wait for my call all year for this event.”
The primary goal of the concert is to raise money for the American Heart Association. Although there is no cover charge, donations are encouraged. In addition to hosting the event, Jimmyleg Presents, a music booking and recording company associated with Lone Wolf, will record portions of the event to be released on CD. Net proceeds from the CD sales will also go towards the AHA’s Heart Walk.
“The Wolf Public House has a long history of charitable giving and charitable event promotion, and they are excited to provide the space for this important event,” said Lone Wolf owner Ralph Pfremmer.
The concert is scheduled to run from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the .