Local musicians host benefit on Aug. 23

Local musicians will rally around one of their own at the "Brotherhood for Brother Dan Benefit Concert" from 4-10 p.m. Aug. 23, at the Great Basin Brewing Company, 846 Victorian Ave. in Sparks.

Reno-Tahoe's close-knit musical community will play a wide variety of music for Brother Dan Palmer, a life-long musician who has steadfastly volunteered his time and talent in dozens of benefit concerts and various fundraisers within the community since 1976, when he became a resident of Northern Nevada.

The singer-songwriter, based in Carson City, is a life-long musician whose ailing health, hospitalization and costly medical treatments have forced him to cancel what was originally an extremely booked summer schedule of appearances on the Reno-Tahoe circuit.

Following non-stop seasons of performing in Europe, then returning to the United States and touring the Southwest, Pacific Northwest and the Mountain West, Palmer was stricken with a relapse of and complications from Hepatitis C, a disease long fought into remission, which posed a serious threat to Palmer's health.

With an abrupt and total loss of income, Palmer is unable to pay for life-saving treatments and medication, prompting his peers to step up and extend both harmonies and the hand of fellowship for the kindred spirit who began playing professionally at age 16, in venues around Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe and Truckee.

"Brother Dan is not only a great musician, but is a great giver of himself," said longtime broadcaster Bill Brown, of Reno.

Proceeds from the benefit will go to the "Brother Dan Medical Fund." More information is available at any Bank of America branch nation-wide.

For more information, call the Great Basin Brewing Company at 355-7711, or log onto Palmer's Web site: www.brotherdanpalmer.com.