With health-care costs rising for area residents, they may have reason to sing the blues.

To raise funds for those in need of medical coverage, Johnstown Free Medical Clinic will sponsor a “Night of Rock, Rhythm and Blues” at 7 p.m. Nov. 23 at Ace’s Lounge, 316 Chestnut St., in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.

For five years, the clinic, located at 1020 Franklin St., Johnstown, has invited nationally known and local blues musicians to help raise funds for preventative care and routine check-ups and screenings for those who don’t have insurance, don’t qualify for medical assistance or don’t make enough to afford private medical insurance.

The James Cotton Band, which performed for the first blues event in 2000, will be the featured artist, said Rebecca Catelinet, clinic executive director.

“He was happy to come back,” Catelinet said. “I think the artists appreciate the cause we’re supporting. They can understand the need for providing medical help to the people who fall through the cracks.”

Since becoming executive director three years ago, Catelinet has seen an increase in the number of people served by the free medical clinic.

When Catelinet first started, Wednesday evening’s walk-in clinic had 15 to 20 patients. Now, it has 25 to 30 every week.

There also were few new patients each week.

Now, there is an average of eight new patients a week.

“The negative side of Hurricane Katrina and the energy crunch is that raising dollars is harder,” Catelinet said. “It’s harder to get sponsorships. It’s critical that we do well at this event.”

The event will open at 7 with Flood City Brass, a local group whose musical styles include rock, swing, soul, funk, ballads and blues.

One of Johnstown’s most versatile bands, brass members include Tom Pavic, Luis Gonzalez, Josh Covert, Kyle Reasbeck, Brian Wechtenhiser, Dan Perich, Jen Shuty and Jim Bilitski.

“Local groups increase awareness of the clinic,” Catelinet said. “People get to come and hear them play.”

The fund-raiser also will include a full meal and cash bar.

Cotton and his band will take center stage for two 70-minute sets at 8:30.

Cotton has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, winning best traditional blues album in 1996 for his CD “Deep in the Blues.”

His other awards include the Howlin’ Wolf Award from the Blues Foundation, blues album of the year from the Down Beat annual readers’ poll and annual critics poll and six W.C. Handy Awards.

Cotton also was inducted into the Smithsonian Institution and the Blues Hall of Fame.

He began playing harmonica at age 6 and played with Sonny Boy Williamson at age 9.

Cotton and Williamson parted ways in 1950, and Cotton formed his own band in Memphis, where he caught the attention of Sun Records founder Sam Philips.

Cotton recorded classics such as “Hold Me in Your Arms” and “Cotton Crop Blues” before hooking up with Muddy Waters in 1954 at age 18.

He played in Waters’ band for 12 years, then struck out on his own in 1966.

Through the years, Cotton has stayed true to his roots of Delta and urban blues despite the never-ending shifts in music.

Catelinet said the committee in charge of the benefit chose to focus on blues because it isn’t featured as much as other music genres.

“We’ve found that it’s popular, but it’s a challenge finding artists who are well known in the area,” Catelinet said. “I found out that Cotton is a well-recognized performer. He’s right up there with the big guys.”

While Catelinet has had repeat performers, she tries to get someone new every year.

Past performers include national acts Tinsley Ellis, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones and Big Joe and the Dynaflows and local groups the Billy Price Band from Pittsburgh, Rick Cosgrove and Blue Piranha from Johnstown and Johnny and the Blue Rockers from Windber.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Tickets are available at Johnstown Free Medical Clinic, Ace’s, George’s Song Shop, Music Haven, Bo Moore’s Downtown Music, Lee Gift Shop, Little Shop at Memorial Medical Center’s Main Campus and The Galleria information booth.

Catelinet said the price hasn’t changed in a couple of years and is a bargain for the food and entertainment.



Ruth Rice can be reached at 532-5052 or rrice@tribdem.com.