Artimus Pyle Band headlines Adk Vet Fest

PLATTSBURGH | Adirondack Vet Fest 2025 is bringing its best for its 10th anniversary show. Coordinated by Sue Stevens at American Legion Post 20 and the Strand Center for the Arts in Plattsburgh, the three-day music fest is July 18, 19 and 20. A big concert on Saturday, July 19 welcomes famed rock musicians Artimus Pyle and the Artimus Pyle Band and Michael Allman with Wayne Scott Brown, plus five additional outstanding bands at The Strand Theater. The July 19 show is from 3 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Their classic rock, blues and southern soul music will raise funds to benefit local veterans, with all proceeds supporting Adirondack Vet Fest. Artimus Pyle is the sole surviving member of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the foundational sound of southern rock and roll. The APB lineup includes Pyle, Bo Bice, Barry Lee Harwood, Shannon Wickline, Jerry Lyda and Scott Raines. Michael Allman is the son of Greg Allman, of the Allman Brothers Band, who will perform with Wayne Scott Brown. "Since the inception of Adirondack Vet Fest, I've wanted to get Michael Allman here. Michael's bluesy soulful voice and look is very reminiscent of his father," Stevens said. "This year he's finally coming. I cannot even begin to tell you all how excited I am that he is a headliner for our 10th anniversary show, July 19, at The Strand." Six Gun Sally is coming in with a seven-piece powerhouse of accomplished musicians to perform a set that ranges from Skynyrd to Fleetwood Mac and country rock originals. The Strand's Adirondack Vet Fest Concert opens with hours of music from Connecticut based Mick Louis Band and renowned local artists, including the Busco Bandits and Damaged Goods. VET FEST FUNDRAISER Stevens, from Chateaugay, spent part of her career working in the music industry with Willy Nelson. Both Nelson and Skynyrd were her favorite bands, she said, through the years and she counts Pyle close among friends. Her support for Vet Fest grew from that passion for country rock music and a tragic loss. "A veteran, a close friend, needed a liver transplant, he'd been waiting a long time. He died at the Pittsburgh VA on the operating table. I was with him," Stevens said. "I said then: If I can help one vet live a better life, then I've done my job." Stevens turned to the music industry she loved and helped establish the summer rock benefit here. Vet Fest music shows at Legion Post 20 combine to raise funds with raffles and the Sunday Pig Roast and motorcycle ride. Proceeds from 50/50 tickets each day go to local efforts to help veterans. "I try to fill the gaps. There are an awful lot of gaps," Stevens said. "Each and every year, we pick a different organization to give the money to. This year, proceeds are going to the Veterans of the North Motorcycle Association, VONMA. In the past, we've given the donations to Homeward Bound, Honor Flight and to AMVETS 22 Everyday Program for suicide prevention." VONMA is a local, non-profit veterans' organization that works behind the scenes, she said. "They are veterans who ride together to support veteran programs, and they fill in where the VA and other veteran services are slow to respond. "They have provided all kinds of things, like wheelchairs, or a ramp to get into the house. They have helped vets fix a roof; they've bought and installed new bathroom fixtures. They respond to all kinds of unexpected situations to make sure that that veteran is taken care." VONMA helps veterans throughout the North Country, Stevens said. Their motto is Veterans-4-Veterans. "They do so much for their local people, it's unbelievable. They've been helping dig the holes for the veterans' Adirondack Flag Poles. They escort North Country Honor Flight and hold bike rallies to raise money for veterans who need help." LEGION POST 20 SHOWS In addition to the Artimus Pyle Band concert at the Strand, musicians will be playing at Legion Post 20 on all three days of Vet Fest. The Vet Fest raffle will be set up with hundreds of items donated by local businesses, artists, woodcrafters, artisans, restaurants, salons and many other services on display. "The raffle is the biggest support," Stevens said. "And we have so many items coming in, it's incredible. Without community supporting the event, we couldn't do this, and those donations make a huge difference." Raffle baskets and merchandise will be on display at the American Legion Post 20 and on the Adirondack Vet Fest Facebook page. "Everything is at Post 20, we will be setting up inside the building this year," Stevens said. "The raffle drawing is at 4:45 p.m. on Sunday. Every day has a 50/50 raffle with a 50/50 at the Strand, too." Shows at Post 20 are sure to be a big draw ahead of the Motorcycle Ride and Pig Roast on Sunday. The ride is $20 and includes the meal, with $15 for second riders. Ride registration begins on July 20 at 9 a.m. at the post. The barbecue is open for non-riders at $10 a plate. Post 20 is located at 162 Quarry Road in Plattsburgh. Military equipment displays, recruiters and food vendors are planned for Vet Fest. POST 20 MUSIC Musicians will take to the stage at Post 20 throughout Vet Fest. Highlights include a July 18 performance featuring Greywolf, a 22-year U.S. Army veteran with an eclectic one-man band sound, playing from 1 to 3 p.m. with sounds from the Republic of Trinidad & Togago in the West Indies. Nelson Rock will perform at both The American Legion Post 20 from July 18 through 20 and at The Strand with Damaged Goods on July 19. Primarily a fiddler, Rock also plays bass guitar, drums, mandolin and harmonica in genres that include Celtic, Country, Folk, Blues, Rock, Classical and a little Jazz. July 19 brings in the talent of Larry McGory, who's bio says "he works some, wanders around the back country, and wastes inordinately large chunks of time making up songs. Every once in a while he even gets out and plays a few of them for folks." Larry will be performing at Post 20 on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. On July 20, the Terry Mountain Boys will be performing Post 20 for Vet Fest from Noon until 2 p.m. The Terry Mountain Boys are Clem Couture, bass guitar, from Dannemora; Mitch Terry, rhythm Guitar from Jay; Austin Petrashune, lead guitar and fiddle, originally from Saranac; and Randy Senecal, rhythm guitar, from Schuyler Falls. Their music is a blend of classic country, old-time Rock and Roll and blue grass. &emsp;&emsp; Stevens said Vet Fest planning this year was great, especially with support from Artimus Pyle and fellow musicians. "Artimus is doing a meet-and-greet after the show at the Strand," she said. "But this is all about giving back to veterans. My dad was U.S. Air Force vet, he met my mom in Plattsburgh when he was a student at Plattsburgh State. "It just means a lot to me to give back to the men and women who protect people they don't even know. If it wasn't for all of them, we wouldn't be living the life we're living. There should not be one homeless vet in this country." To see new Adirondack Vet Fest announcements or live feeds for free tickets, visit their Facebook page. To learn more about VONMA: veteransofthenorth.com For Strand Theatre Adirondack Vet Fest tickets: strandcenter.org/theatre-events

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Artimus Pyle Band headlines Adk Vet Fest

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