Review: Corbriwoodstock & A Concert for Anna – 10 years!

On September 3, 2017, I left my house with the intention of hanging out with John “The American Hilljack” Lane & Johnny “The Real John” Lane at Corbriwoodstock. This was mine and the Hilljack’s second visit to Cobriwoodstock in as many years. The show is in its tenth year! It is an amazing show with such a great back drop and line up. This isn’t my normal haunt. The show features more of a bluesy vibe. It is a relaxing and welcoming venue which features a backyard stage, flowers from Mt. Vernon, vendors, a great host (John Vento), and 97.7 FM’s Rock Done Right Tour. We arrived slightly later due to a picnic and a flat tire on the way there, but once we were there we were in heaven. We witnessed sets by Samantha Sears, The Compradres, Folkhammer, The B-men, Tina Daniels & Company, & The Nied’s Hotel Band. The show is a benefit for Allegheny CleanWays. Allegheny CleanWays is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 2000 to “engage and empower people to eliminate illegal dumping and littering in Allegheny County.”

We left Cobriwoodstock at about 9pm and headed to the Quality Inn Tarentum to catch the last 3 sets of the night of the third day of A Concert for Anna, also celebrating its tenth year.

In April 2008, Anna Lee Piroch was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The original Concert For Anna was put together by the local music community, of which Anna was an avid fan, as a way to help her pay her bills while she was unable to work as she battled the disease. Anna knew of the show to be held for her over Labor Day weekend 2008, and looked forward to attending.

Sadly, in August 2008, Anna succumbed to the disease… But the music community would not let her spirit die. They came together in an incredibly moving act of kindness and held the show in her honor. When all was said and done, 17 bands had graced the stage that weekend, as well as numerous local businesses donating prizes, etc., and paid for Anna’s funeral expenses.

That spirit of generosity and kindness in our local music community lives on in honor of our lost sister Anna, as a continual way to help others in our area in her name. Please help us every Labor Day weekend as we make a difference in someone’s life and ease the struggle that unfortunate circumstances can bring.

We caught a partial set from Here and Now, After the Fall, & Creep. My cellphone had died and I left my camera in the car, so no pictures from this show. Here and Now is a great acoustic rock cover band featuring veteran scene musicians. After the Fall was up next, they are one of the top bands in our scene and didn’t disappoint. They played a few covers but hit us hard with their originals. Last on the bill was Creep. A band that I had never seen live and had been at the top of my wishlist. They were everything I had hoped for and more. They also had some surprises up their sleeves with a visit from Mark Lux, an announcement that they had sold out of their EP Lesson 3, and they let slip that they’re going to start working on a new album! If you want to get a digital copy of Lesson 3, you can do so by listening to Episode 325 of the Pennsylvania Rock Show.

Both events are worth your donation to their causes and provide great lineups of music. As the time of this article, you have 364 days to get your ticket for next year! Don’t miss the 11th installment of both events! It takes a little time management, but you can definitely hit both shows on Sunday as we did. Keep in mind that A Concert for Anna is a 3 day event!

About the Author
Bill is the owner of Build the Scene, Vice President of First Angel Media, and the "tech guy" behind Music from the 412. He has been working with local, independent bands since 1996. He currently offers the following services: Web Design & Development, Electronic Press Kit Design & Development, Concert & Promotional Photograpy, Radio, Streaming TV, & Podcast Airtime, & Artist PR & Marketing Bill is the host of the Pennsylvania Rock Show (Radio, Podcast, TV Show & Vlog), 3 Questions and a Song (Radio, Podcast & Vlog) & Friendly Fire (Live Radio Show). Bill is also the owner of Build the Scene Radio