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Written by Marsha Buehler Wednesday, 13 June 2012 21:10

As we drove down the tree-lined road near the old Grafton Ferry Road in St. Charles County, sounds of the past drifted through the open car windows.

Photography provided by Brian Hashagen

On the afternoon of Sunday, June 3, 2012, a benefit dubbed “Musicians Helping Musicians” was held on the riverbanks of the Mississippi River, just across from Grafton, Ill., for Terry Jones Rogers (formerly with the legendary band The Byrds). Rogers recently underwent major heart surgery; today, 10 local bands performed to help raise money to assist with his medical expenses. Rogers is recovering well and even got up onstage himself for a few songs. It was good to see him in his natural state, on stage entertaining a crowd of 300-plus throughout the day, relaxing on blankets and lawn chairs, enjoying the tunes and gentle breeze off the mighty Mississippi. Rogers is originally from Corpus Christi, Texas; his family later settled in Macon, Ga., and he now resides in E. Alton, Ill. A musician most of his life, he currently plays with various musicians around the St. Louis area, as well as doing solo performances.

The event was organized by Dawn Liston, wife of Pat Liston (formerly of Mama’s Pride), who also performed at the event As we drove down the tree-lined road near the old Grafton Ferry Road in St. Charles County, sounds of the past drifted through the open car windows. The road dead-ended into a giant field with grassy knolls and towering mature trees on the Missouri side of the Mississippi. We were greeted by attendants who collected the entry fee and distributed hemp-colored crocheted friendship bracelets to show official entry at the gate. This was a nice touch; usually you get a bright orange plastic bracelet you have to cut off at the end of the night. The property is owned and provided as the benefit site by Dennis and Debbie Warner; he is a stage manager and musical technician for several bands in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Once inside the event, there were burgers and hot dogs, along with a plethora of other side dishes and chips. The stage was covered, which provided shade but little opportunity for the gentle breeze. The bands played their hearts out to the appreciative crowd, all of who seemed to be glad to be attending an outdoor concert on a hazy, lazy Sunday. People were scattered, some sitting in lawn chairs in front of the stage, some under the trees on a blanket or lawn chairs to get out of the blazing sun. As the afternoon sun peaked, people ventured out to the tree-shaded areas of the lawn to enjoy the tunes. Music could be heard wafting for miles to the tunes of The Who, Crosby Stills & Nash, CCR, Billy Joel, Mama’s Pride, and too many others to name. It was a great day for sitting around the riverside, listening to good old rock ’n’ roll. | Marsha Buehler

The lineup of bands that donated their time and talent to perform is as follows:

• Scott Nienhaus – formerly with The Byrds, Nicolette Larson, Firefall, Acousticity, Nickels
• Pat Liston – formerly of Mama’s Pride
• Terry Jones Rogers
• Ken Martin – local guitarist and vocalist
• Don Loder – guitar and vocals from Tyler, Texas
• Wayne Givens – local guitarist and vocalist
• Hobo Jungle – local three-piece classic rock band
• Mondin Band – four-piece classic rock band from Illinois featuring John Mondin on guitar and vocals
• 4 & 20 – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young tribute band
• Younger than Yesterday – Byrds tribute band