Flannery raising money for Stow with four concerts
Proceeds from Giants third-base coach's shows, sales of his CD to benefit fan
SAN FRANCISCO -- Picture Tim Flannery in his guise as Giants third-base coach, waving home music enthusiasts to help make Bryan Stow a winner.
That's the image one might associate with Flannery's series of four Northern California concerts on consecutive nights next week. Proceeds from the performances and from sales of Flannery's new CD, "Outside Lands," will benefit Stow, the Giants fan who was seriously injured in a beating outside Dodger Stadium after the 2011 season opener.
These are meaningful gigs for Flannery, who has raised $11,000 for Stow this offseason. Once Flannery's haul for Stow reaches $25,000, Giants left-hander Jeremy Affeldt will match that figure with his own donation. Judging from advance sales, Affeldt had better get his checkbook ready.
Flannery's tour begins next Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Fox Theatre (foxrwc.com) in Redwood City, Calif. The scene shifts to Sweetwater Music Hall (sweetwatermusichall.com) in Mill Valley on Friday, then proceeds Saturday to the Kuumbwa Jazz Center (kuumbwajazz.org/) in Santa Cruz. The tour concludes Sunday at the Woodshed (woodshed.org) in Los Gatos. Flannery said that the Santa Cruz and Los Gatos shows are sold out and that tickets are scarce for the Sweetwater date.
Flannery won't let people forget Stow, who will need expensive medical care for the rest of his life. With "Outside Lands," his 13th album, Flannery has created an effective fundraising vehicle, besides compelling, often blissful folk music.
Flannery was happily forced to request more CDs after the first order, which consisted of approximately 2,000 discs, sold out.
"It's blowing my mind, actually," he said Thursday in a telephone interview. "It's picked up a little traction, a little steam."
Flannery will be joined by his band, the Lunatic Fringe, during the Northern California shows. Several of his frequent musical collaborators also will be present on various nights. For example, guitarist Chuck Brodsky and San Francisco-based band Hot Buttered Rum will join Flannery on stage in the Redwood City opener. Guitarist Doug Pettibone, fresh from touring with John Mayer, also will join Flannery during the Bay Area circuit.
Before it ends, Flannery expects to have a present prepared for Ann Stow, Bryan's mother.
"We should be able to hand her a $50,000 check," Flannery said.