The Sound Of Help

Gary Schepers is apparently a well-liked person within the Chicago music community. At least that’s what we gather from the amount of support local bands and venues have been willing to give the local soundman/musician to help fight his battle with Type 2 diabetes.

Schepers (aka “Big Gary,” “Elvis”) who has worked the boards at Lounge Ax, Abbey Pub, Empty Bottle, Martyrs’, FitzGerald’s, and Schubas among others was recently diagnosed with the disease and spent his holidays in the hospital. As is all too common in the music world, he is without insurance and has racked up a big medical bill. Some of the bands Schepers has worked with and venues he has worked for through the years have teamed up to organize the Sound Check benefit series, which will donate 100 percent of all proceeds directly to Schepers.

The schedule is as follows:

Friday, January 20th at FitzGerald’s
Robbie Fulks, Jay Farrar, Corky Siegel, Devil In A Woodpile, Dolly Barden, Bunker Town, Prohibition Orchestra.

Sunday, January 22nd at The Hideout
The Blissters, Wee Hairy Beasties, Nora O’Connor (early)/Califone, Edith Frost, Chris Mills (late).

Wednesday, January 25th at Abbey Pub
Jeff Tweedy, Devil In A Woodpile.

Friday, January 27th at Schubas
Bottle Rockets, Tijuana Hercules, Great Crusades.

This is just the beginning of the Sound Check series, as each of these venues, plus others like Martyrs’ and Empty Bottle, are planning more shows.

Donations — payable to Gary Schepers Fund — can be made at any National City Bank branch location or mailed to:

National City Bank
1520 N. Damen
Chicago, IL 60622

— Trevor Fisher

Category: News, Weekly