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Rockin’ the house for House
(by ELSIE WALKER - June 19, 2008)
Fred Perotti’s band, Jersey Gypsy will be among those playing at the benefit.
PHOTO COURTESY OF JERSEY GYPSY
On June 21 eight local bands are going to “rock the house” in honor of Mount Olive teen Jesse House. An active honors student, musician, and member of the rohigh school botics team, House’s life changed in February when a fall while a snowboarding aggravated a tumor that had been growing on his left kidney. The cancer, known as Wilm's Tumor, covered 80 percent of the kidney and had wrapped itself into the kidney vein. The funds raised by the concert will help House, and his mother Mary Jo, with expenses involved in his treatment. The concert will take place at the Mount Olive Senior Center at 204 Flanders-Drakestown Road in Mount Olive. Doors open at 5:30pm and there is a minimum donation of $15. Food and beverages will be on sale during the event.
Appearing will be Alamance, Kelsey and The Chaos, Jersey Gypsy, The Onset, Ray Winch, And Then There Were Machines, and the Moderately Bright Four. It is hoped that House will be able to appear with a band at the end, to close out the show. The idea for the concert was inspired by his love of music.
“Jessie is not currently in a band but has been playing with various groups for the past few years. He played recently with some of the ex-members of his former band Falls First Fire and is hopeful, but not sure, he will be able to play as the last band of the night for the benefit. Every band that Jessie was a member of played all original music that the band collaborated on as a whole. Jessie does write and play his own music and is in the process of getting another band together to play with but has been very busy with his illness and schoolwork,” said his mother’s cousin, Fred Perotti of Budd Lake.
Yet, even though his illness has interrupted his life, he doesn’t let it derail his outlook.
"I know there are days when just the words ‘hospital’, ‘radiation’ or ‘chemo’ can cause him anxiety and nausea, I also know there are days when he ignores the pain in an effort to get through and have a normal day. Jesse has always been a high-spirited person with a smile on his face. Despite all that he has been through and is going through, he continues to have a positive outlook and inspires and touches many people.
He simply amazes me. As a single mom who has been laid off from work, I often find myself inspired by his positive attitude. He has taught me how to appreciate the good days and just how far a positive attitude can take a person. Jesse continues to create awesome music and is keeping up with his honors and AP school work with help from his wonderful teachers at Mount Olive High School,” said his mother.
He inspires his mother and he’s inspired those who organized the benefit. And who are they?
They are three of Mary Jo House’s cousins: Karen Buckley of Harmony, Fred Perrotti of Budd Lake, and Michelle Perotti of Hopatcong.
“We’re a very close family,” said Buckley, ”our moms (her and Mary Jo’s) were two of nine siblings.
Theirs was the kind of family, that on Sundays, everyone headed over to grandma’s home. Fred Perotti fondly remembers the macaroni dinners.
The family ties have remained strong and now the cousins are working together to help Mary Jo and Jesse…. with assistance from others. There’s Roger Sorhagen who organizes battles of the bands and knew Jesse through that. Sorhagen was approached by the cousins and got together the bands that volunteered their services. There’s a friend of Buckley’s who is a graphic designer and did the advertising fliers; others donated food. Hopatcong Cub Pack #194 is helping with the setting up and breaking down the day of the event. Buckley’s husband, Brian, a freelance photographer will be taking pictures at the concert to capture the memories for Jesse. Not only that, but Brian Buckley is helping in another way – he’s shaved his head as part of St. Baldrick. St. Baldrick is a fundraising foundation for childhood cancer where, as explained on its site, www.stbaldrick.org, participants shave their heads “in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.” People can donate by clicking on “find a participant” and entering in Brian Buckley, checking off “shavee” and when his picture appears, clicking on “donate now”.
The love of family is evident.
“I feel very honored and thrilled to volunteer my band’s services, “ said Fred Perotti, whose band, Jersey Gypsy will be performing.
“I’m very family-oriented,” he shared.
His band, Jersey Gypsy is a rock band that does original music with an ‘80’s type style. On occasion it also does cover songs. Jersey Gypsy includes Perotti on bass and back-up vocals, Ronnie Catorelli of Bloomfield on guitar and lead vocals, and Bobby Lambert of Sparta on drums.
As the cousins get ready for the concert on the 21, Mary Jo House is already thinking ahead.
“She wants to make this an annual event,” said Buckley, “to help children with cancer.”
| Comments (1) |
On August 25, 2008, joe said:
what a great benfit and the music was outstanding as jersey gypsy band was assume and one of new jersey upcomming bands.I know that the jersey gypsy band felt very close to this benfit because they all have had there own personal expirence with friends and family that have been directly effeted.
joe oneill
executive producer
sportspage radio and television production |
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