LEWISTON — A gala for widely-acclaimed popular singer Nick Knowlton will be held March 12 at the Ramada Lewiston Hotel and Conference Center to raise money for his fight against esophageal cancer.
Many of his talented musical friends throughout his five decades of performing will attend from across the country to pay tribute to the local legend and to help raise money for hospital and other medical expenses.
The event is named Banding Together For Nick.
Since the late 80s, Bette Sanborn has been singing in local bands, including the popular Good & Plenty Band at the Ramada, where Knowlton also worked with many groups. In 1996, Knowlton created “The Nick & Bette Show” and there developed an instant bond and long-lasting friendship.
“Nick being a champion for causes he strongly believes in is remarkable,” Sanborn said. “This is going to be an outpouring of musicians and friends who want to give back to Nick after all he has done for so many in the community.”
Ed Boucher, who managed Knowlton’s early bands and whose EAB Recording productions catapulted the local singer to regional and national status, sees the event as a way to help a friend known for his community outreach in his own time of need.
Among the bands scheduled to perform is Terry & The Telstars, with its original members: Knowlton in front on vocals, Danny Caron on drums, Pete Nadeau on keyboards and Terry McCarthy on guitar.
Caron, who is flying in from Wilmington, North Carolina, said he’s looking forward to an historic reunion. The band got back together for a PAL HOP Reunion in 2010 and reportedly enjoyed it so much they decided to continue performing for several more events, he said.
Caron credits the Lord for putting together four 14-year-olds from Lewiston, Maine, all with a dream of becoming rock stars, and launching them on an incredible musical and spiritual journey called Terry & The Telstars.
Other bands scheduled to play are: Denny Breau & Friends, The Girls of L-A and Good ‘N Plenty, in addition to a lineup of guest musicians and singers. Those include Billy Belskis, Roger Blais, Ed Boucher, Ron Bouffard, Danny Caron, Frank Coffin, Danny DiBiase, Bonnie Edwards, Bob Elie, Kathy Haley, Shawna Haley, Malinda Liberty, Jeannie Martin, Moe McKenna, Arthur Melendy, Debbie Morin, Paul Murphy, Pete Nadeau, Louis Philippe, Bette Sanborn, Laurie Sidelinger, Mike Willette and Jeff Wright.
Bill “BC” Cloutier and Dave Dean, longtime radio personalities in Central Maine, will share the emcee duties.
Doors open at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $15 and are available online at https://ticketing.thecolisee.com, or by calling the Androscoggin Colisee box office at 783-2009.
Shortly after his diagnosis last December, an online fundraising effort was launched and almost half of the $50,000 goal has been reached. Donations can be made at gofundme.com/nickknowlton.
The planning committee for a March 12 fundraiser for musician Nick Knowlton includes, from left, seated, Brie Knowlton, Nicholas Knowlton Jr., Krista Knowlton and Elaine Poulin; standing, Gini Haines, Doug Haines, Louis Philippe, Pete Nadeau, Debbie Morin, Bill Moraldo, Denny Breau, Ed Boucher, Jeannie Martin, Bette Sanborn, Joline ten Eyck and Danny DiBiase.