The Have-A-Heart Benefit for Zachary Destun

Sunday February 4, 2001

   When little Zachary and his family faced the trauma of his heart transplant in early January they had the prayers of many of their friends with them.  Born at the end of October with hypo plastic left heart syndrome, the only thing that could be done was to find a suitable donor heart, which meant a wait and lots of risk.  With the tragic loss of another infant, a donor heart was obtained and luckily it was a match, so the surgery went ahead while many anxious hours were spent waiting.  Zachary has been in intensive care since his transplant, and faces many months in the Hospital for Sick Children.  His parents have been staying nearby or trying to commute from their home in Cambridge, and the financial strain of keeping vigil has been starting to mount up.  This is where the friends of Mike Destun come in.  Mike is a drummer and has played with many of country music’s entertainers everywhere.  They decided to rally around and do something to help this family in their hour of need, so that they can concentrate on Zachary and getting him well enough to go home, to his brother Theo.  And with the vision of Jason Barry, the Have-A-Heart Benefit was born.

   The setting for the show would be the Stampede Corral in Kitchener, Ontario and the artists who would agree to appear grew to quite a who’s who of Canadian Country.  By the week of the benefit the list had grown to include Jamie Warren, John Landry, Jim Witter, Lace, Stephanie Beaumont, Thomas Wade, Diane Chase, Sean Hogan, organizer Jason Barry and the other incredible musicians who would appear to accompany them.  When we arrived we discovered that Kenny Munshaw, Tim Lewis (and Satchel), Darren Walters and Dave Thompson would also be present. 

   By two thirty the line up outside the Corral was stretched down the front of the building and across the parking lot.  By five to three (when the doors were due to open), the line snaked back and forth across the parking lot in an ‘S’ formation.  And they kept coming.  When the doors opened the flood started and kept coming until the capacity of 700 was reached.  There were still at least 100 people waiting outside.  The support from the public was overwhelming, and the thought of it brought a lump to your throat.  All of those hundreds of people, coming out to show that their prayers are with little Zachary and his family. 

   When the crowd was more or less settled (or at least as settled as they could be) the organizer of the event took the stage to welcome everyone and introduce the first performers.  Jason Barry, one of the premier guitarists of this country and a member of Jamie’s Warren Commission, as well as an award winning songwriter and duet partner on Diane Chase’s CD “I’m In The Middle Of Something”, is an amazing fellow who happens to also be a new father to daughter Cameron.  He is the tornado who got this thing going and (‘though he will deny doing anything special) he is an extraordinary person with a huge heart.  That this is true is shown by the turnout, both of his friends and the public.  If you can help this guy out you will, because he’s pure gold.  (And I don’t say anything I don’t mean – you can ask John if you don’t believe me Jason.)  The first performers would be Kenny Munshaw and Beverley Mahood, doing their fabulous duet “Kiss And Makeup”.  Kenny is always something else, and with the beautiful Beverley at his side he can’t complain.  They did a great job of starting off the show and you knew it would be some day!

   Next up would be Jason and Stephanie Beaumont.  It’s been a while since we’ve seen Stephanie, she’s been out west for a while but she’s just as perky and lovely as ever.  Stephanie performed “Get A Grip”; a song that she hopes will be on her next album.  I particularly love her style of dialogue in between benefit duties (don’t you…show of hands?!).  Her next tune was “Whoever Said No”, and her songs all seem to be a lot like her, very tongue-in-cheek humorous looks at relationships or the dynamics thereof.  Following the musical interlude this likeable pair remained onstage to auction off some of the items that had been donated.  First to go on the block were photos of country USA’s super couple, Faith and Tim (last names not required) specially donated by the couple for the benefit.  Sold - $50.00

   Next up was another couple, not together really but buddies from what I hear.  Alan Jackson and George Strait photos.  Sold - $60.00   Lots of photos remaining were also auctioned off successfully, raising lots more for this extremely worthwhile event. 

   Oh oh, Thomas Wade alert!  You always have to watch out when he’s at an event ‘cause you never know what he’ll do next.  With a large star painted on his eye (courtesy of the face-painting clowns present for the kids) he streaked across the stage, kissed Stephanie on the cheek, and ran off the other side of the stage. 

  Next artist due up was John Landry, so he came up onstage to help auction off his signed CD.  Stephanie and Jason helped him out by offering hugs and even kisses to the winner (whom John hoped would be a female, he admitted to the crowd).  Luckily his wish came true.  Sold - $60.00

   John had written a song called “The Call”, about the worries of a parent when their kids are out and they’re waiting for their safe return and he wanted to dedicate it to the winners of the auctions.  It struck him how real those worries were, now that most of his friends are parents and his sister (the lovely Catherine) is expecting her first child, and he wanted to put those feelings into a song.  He also felt it would have special significance due the reason for the benefit.  Kind of at a loss as to what song to do next, he heeded the called out requests and did his “Bit By Bit”, to heartfelt applause. 

  Jim Witter was up next, accompanied by pal Darren Walters and Jason.  He headed out with “Jumpin’ Right In” and finished off with “Stolen Moments”.  Two songs that I felt fit right in with the subject of the day, and Jim was fantastic (of course, how could he not be?) particularly as he had the help of two of Canada’s best musicians up there; Jason on guitar and Darren on mandolin.  Plus he always smells great – if you get within hugging distance you’ll see what I mean.

   The irrepressible Thomas Wade was up next and is he good!  That man may be a little wild but his voice is totally in control.  The hit “Some Guys” was followed by the similar themed “If You Ain’t Got It” and those are songs a woman has to like (from a guy it’s very hard not to like).  His voice is amazing, I love to hear him live and so did the crowd based on the response he received. 

   Beverley Mahood’s running shoes went on the block next.  Yes, her running shoes.  She wore them in the Juvenile Diabetes Marathon (as she is the Canadian Chairperson) and the bidding started out kind of slow so she headed up there to help them out.  As she took them and held them up she called out “Aren’t these worth more than $60.00?”  She managed to start a couple of bidding wars, with Jason and Stephanie sweetening the pot as they progressed upwards.  Finally, with a hug, a signed CD and I think a kiss included with the shoes, they sold for $165.00!  Way to go guys! 

   Next the golf game with John Landry and Jamie Warren was auctioned off by Jamie and Jason.  Two lucky people would get to play with this pair (who never do admit how they do on the course,  though Jamie says John’s been improving since he’s taking lessons) and the spots went for $180.00 and $170.00 each. 

   Lace, the incredible crowd-pleasing trio was up next.  “Kiss ‘Em All”, a theme of the day in regard to the auctions was their first song.  Followed by the amazing harmonies of “I Want A Man”, which brought another appearance by Thomas Wade.  This time he crawled up the steps, then around the legs of the girls as they sang (though when he headed for Stacey, she hopped away just in time).  He ended up on the floor of the stage cuddling the large toy white tiger up for ‘silent auction’ along the front of the stage.  Luckily by this time the large star had been removed, or it would have made for an interesting design on the tiger’s back.  Lots of screaming for the girls when they finished and they are an extremely likeable group (plus they’re so darn pretty).

   Next Beverley started the auction for a trip to TSN’s “Off The Record” show (assisted by the ever helpful Jason).  The winner would get dinner with Beverley, Michael Landsburg and will attend a taping of the popular show.  The winner was Ian, previously known to the artists handling the auction as the ‘cowboy hat guy’.  Ian’s winning bid was $250.00

   Sean Hogan came out from BC for this event, and he was a real hit with the crowd.  He performed “Upon Your Rocking Horse”, a song he’d written for his 18-month-old daughter before doing his radio and CMT favourite “Angeline”.  And this time, it really was Sean Hogan (wasn’t it Beth?) and I did get away with not calling him Steve Fox, believe it or not. 

   Next, a real treat for the crowd.  Diane Chase was present and accounted for and if you haven’t seen this beautiful lady in concert then you really don’t know what you’re missing.   She would appear as soon the silent auction items were wound up and the final bids were placed, so there was a bit of an interlude as she prepared to go on.  For her first song she wowed ‘em with “I’m In the Middle Of Something”, the hit title song from her debut CD.  With a colourful shirt and black slacks, her hair long and wavy she really is a vision.  Her next song was “Takin’ Back My Heart” and she was warmly applauded by the crowd. 

   The silent auction was wrapped up by Beth Warren and there were many multiple winners of some very diverse and unique items.  One such item was a gift basket put together (and beautifully so) by Stephanie Beaumont.  The winners were called out and they could collect and pay for their items by the side of the stage.  Wonderful job by all who helped with this challenging job and it was great fun for all of the participants.

   Jamie Warren was the last performer and there was still a pretty full house by the time the festivities started to wind down.  Jamie is tons of fun and can never be accused of taking himself too seriously, as the crowd found out.  His first song was “One Step Back”, and he may have wished for one when he found himself in the predicament of forgetting the first line of the second verse of his “Sea Monkey Song”.  As he strummed along with Jason Barry and keyboardist Tim Lewis (with little son Satchel and guitar present too, to help out) he called out to the crowd for the next line.  Of course, he got lots of suggestions (even one from Jason) but they weren’t the right line.  And I had no idea what it was either so I would have been no help even though it’s one of my favourite songs from his CD.  “The Way Love Goes” was flawlessly executed as was a request, “Sunny Day In The Park”.  Great finale to a wonderful day, thanks Jamie.

   Last event of the day was the auction of the guitar, donated by a music store and signed by all of the artists who performed at little Zachary’s benefit.  The winning bid of $800.00 (wow!) was by Bill McCartney of Encore Management.  Congratulations! 

   Some of the familiar faces we spotted at this benefit were those heavily involved in the music industry and I think this would be a good time to mention some of them.  Lori Thompson, PR extraordinaire, did a fantastic job of helping Jason with this challenging day.  Amy Olson, Beth Warren’s assistant, played a huge role too.  Some artists we spotted who were out to support the event included Keith Thompson, Megan Morrison, Rich Baker and Vince Roy.  Jerry Carroll, Marti Clayton and Barb Blanchard were there too. 

   The day after the event we received notification from Beth Warren and Jason Barry that a total of $11,346.08 was raised for Zachary’s family.  Way to go guys and thanks to all who donated items, helped with the organization of this event and came out to support this little fighter and his family.  A very special thanks to Andrew MacKay of the Stampede Corral for donating his club for this event, his large cash donation and for giving a substantial percentage of the proceeds of the food and beverage income for the day.  He and his staff did a great job and handled the huge influx of visitors and artists with no problem.  Quality place, we always love going there.  Thanks again.

   And finally, thanks to Jason Barry and all of the artists who gave their Sunday (and many days before the show) to helping with this huge undertaking.  There is no doubt that country music has the most selfless people with the biggest hearts and that goes for both artists and fans.  You just had to see the crowd at the Stampede Corral to see that this is true.  We love all you guys.  Zachary Destun, God Bless!

Written by Kim Jamieson

Photos by Wayne Tozzi