September 22, 1999

Band plays benefit concert

Judy Harrison and High Impact perform Saturday at State Theatre

By Garret Leiva
Herald editor
       Veteran country music singer Judy Harrison admits she'll be nervous when her band High Impact takes the stage next Saturday evening at the State Theatre. The rows of staring faces won't cause stage fright, or a case of the butterflies; instead it will be the thought of someone thousands of miles away.
      For Judy Harrison and the members of High Impact, the Traverse City concert is more than a chance to showcase their award-winning music. It is a chance to reach out to a friend in need. The concert, which will be held at 8 p.m. Saturday, is being billed as a "high energy country music song and dance show honoring a special friend of the arts in northern Michigan."
      All proceeds from the concert will benefit Traverse City resident Pat Easterday, who was recently diagnosed with atypical germ cell cancer. The concert is especially personal for Harrison and High Impact, as Easterday has served as the group's stage manager for the past three years.
      "Pat has given so much and never expected anything in return. So it is exciting to give back in some way," said Harrison, who noted that proceeds will help offset travel and rental expenses accrued by Easterday and his family as he goes through chemotherapy treatments in Houston, Texas.
      "The concert will be emotional if not nerve-raking. I'm nervous that I'm going to cry. Pat is so close to all of us."
      While playing a benefit concert for such a special friend will undoubtedly have an emotional impact on Harrison and her band mates, the group has made an impact of their own in the country music scene around Michigan.
      The group comprised of singer/dancer Harrison, vocalists Carey Owens and Susan Johnson, lead guitarist Jeff Hanna, bass guitarist Bill Brott and drummer Clark Harner recently won the Michigan state finals of the True Value Hardware/Jimmy Dean Country Showdown held July 31 at the Cheboygan County Fair. Winning the state title gives them the opportunity to travel to Keshena, Wisc. to compete against other state winners in the North Central Region Contest. The competition will take place on Sunday, Oct. 3., with the overall winner representing the region at this years National Showdown.
      Explaining the contest runs, Harrison noted that musicians have a mere 7 minutes to shine on center stage, and can only perform two songs. A panel of judges rates each group or soloist on talent, marketability, stage presence and originality.
      The Country Showdown, now in its eighteenth year, has become the world's largest country music talent search. Previous National Showdown winners include such country superstars as Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Wynonna and Reba McEntire. The national title comes with a $50,000 top prize; an amount that would buy some serious recording studio time.
      While Harrison and High Impact are working toward releasing another album, the group has been almost too busy to sit still in a recording studio.
      Since Harrison released her CD "A Satisfied Me" back in late 1997, High Impact has been on the road. Recent shows include the Gaylord/Otsego Fair in 1997, the Manton Harvest Festival, the Cheboygan County Fair, The Pig Gig in Bay City and Farrows Music Contest at the Howlin' Moon Saloon in Grand Rapids. The group has also performed at the Amway Grand for the past four years providing entertainment for the annual American Heart Association Heart Balls.
      For Harrison, a professional choreographer, singer, part-time faculty member at Interlochen Arts Academy and former radio talk show host, the idea of winning a National Showdown title pales to playing a friend's favorite songs - even if he can't hear them.
      "When I talk to Pat about the benefit he told me the last thing he wanted was a pity party. Even when he's been sick as a dog he has left little light-hearted messages on my answering machine," Harrison said. "He is truly someone you aspire to be; he is amazing that way."
      Tickets for the 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 benefit concert at the State Theatre are currently on sale for $10 at the Old Town Playhouse, Studio 101 and the State Theatre box office.