On January 28, a collection of local musicians will come together to perform the music of a rock-and-roll legend, and raise money for two worthwhile causes. Heart of Gold is a benefit concert event at the State Theatre that will raise money for Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania and the theater itself. Local musical acts will perform the music of Neil Young.
The acts include the Screaming Ducks, Tyne & the Fastline, Ted & the Hi-Fis, The Rounders, Miss Melanie & the Valley Rats, Brian Lubrecht, Pat McGinnis, Jason McIntyre & Junior Tutwiler, Tim Whitehill, Erin Condo, Tommy Wareham, and Pure Cane Sugar.
Kate Twoey of Pure Cane Sugar talked about the event and Young’s influence on her.
T&G: How did Pure Cane Sugar get involved with the Heart of Gold event? Do you know what songs you’ll be performing at the show?
Twoey: We heard about the event during the initial planning stages last spring. Jason McIntyre is in charge of booking and scheduling all of the music and he asked us about it at its conception. We all thought it was a trifecta of greatness — contributing to a wonderful cause, playing songs of one of our icons, and performing at the State Theatre! We are not revealing our song choices, but we can say that they are not songs that we have ever done before. We took this opportunity to arrange some new Neil songs for us.
T&G: The show is a fundraiser and also a concert that pays tribute to Neil Young. Can you talk about how Neil Young’s music maybe influenced you and any specific songs that made an impact on you?
Twoey: I personally was introduced to Neil Young during that influential time in everyone’s life when you start discovering what kind of music speaks to you. I was drawn to him instantly because I loved his sincere style and sweet voice. Harvest Moon and Neil Young Unplugged were released as I was graduating high school, so they are very nostalgic albums for me. He has a way of capturing a moment in time or a feeling and inviting you in with him so it feels like you are there.
T&G: This is probably one of the bigger shows in the area that has brought together so many local singers and groups. How good is it to see a nice collection of local acts come together for an event like this?
Twoey: This is truly amazing and very unique. We have done benefit mash-ups in the past but not with the multitude of musicians that will be involved with the Heart of Gold event. We are particularly excited for this event because we will have the opportunity to see so many other gifted performers play — and for a wonderful cause! The bands and solo artists involved also represent so many different genres of music, but will all be playing songs from one artist. I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with.
T&G: Besides benefitting the Easter Seals, the event helps the State Theatre. How important is a venue like the State Theatre to this community?
Twoey: I hope everyone recognizes how fortunate we are to have a venue like the State Theatre. The theater not only brings in spectacular national acts and unique film showings, but also provides a beautiful setting for local dance and theatrical performances. We always jump at the opportunity to play the State Theatre — the sound is amazing and the atmosphere is quaint and comfortable and yet stellar at the same time!
T&G: What do you and Pure Cane Sugar have planned for the rest of 2012 – as far as you know right now?
Twoey: We have grown so much in the past year with the addition of our fiddle player, Dan Collins, and our drummer, Daryl Branford. We will be working on a new album this year to capture the new sound. We have also discussed branching out to some new festivals over the summer. We also just put together a mash-up of the Pure Cane Sugar Band and former Rustlander members Jason McIntyre, Corry Drake, and Junior Tutwiler for what was meant to be a one-time performance at the Elk Creek Café. Immediately after the show was over we all agreed that that had to happen again — and again. We fondly refer to ourselves as the Sweet Yinzers in that configuration, so keep an eye out for that as well — possibly even at the Heart of Gold benefit!
