Concerts to Benefit CYO

By Katie McFadden

Now this is music to our ears! Attention current and former CYO athletes, staff and parents, and anyone else who appreciates some good tunes for a good cause—a series of concerts is coming up over the next two weekends to help support the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens’ Catholic Youth Organization to help keep those great sports programs running as smoothly as possible. And in the lineup are a series of talented local musicians ready to deliver three nights of fun, with the first show this Friday, November 15, 7 p.m., at St. Francis de Sales.

In 2020, Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg became executive director of the Brooklyn and Queens Diocese’s CYO program, taking on the role at a time where the organization was at a deficit during Covid, and staff has been shorter than ever to handle the insurmountable task of making sure schedules make sense for hundreds of teams across various sports, officials are available to cover the hundreds of games each weekend, and all finances are covered to make it happen. So, they can use a little help. In the past, the CYO has fundraised with things like golf outings and 50/50s, but Goldberg wanted to try something a little different, with something he has a little experience in—music.

In 2017, Goldberg launched the Bugalou Music Series, bringing some bigger-name artists to the peninsula like Max Weinberg of the E Street Band. The series wound down because of Covid and as Bugsy stepped into his busy role with CYO. He’s been so busy that he even had to take a step back from his former band, The Grayriders. But over the summer, inspiration struck seeing local talent perform at a summer party, and later, as the Summer Classic, also headed by Bugsy, celebrated its 40th anniversary and Goldberg got a taste of being behind the mic again, singing with The THE BAND Band at the anniversary party at the Rockaway Hotel.

So, Goldberg gathered some of his local musically gifted friends to form a new project, The Rock and Roll Doctors, inspired by Little Feat, a famous band from the ‘70s and ‘80s, with hits like “Dixie Chicken,” “All That You Dream,” “Oh Atlanta,” and “Willin’.” The Rock and Roll Doctors include back from San Diego, Bill Fleming on guitar and vocals, and Annette Fleming on percussion and vocals, from Indaculture, Bobby Butler playing bass guitar and vocals, and Danny Mulvanerty on guitar, plus Phil Kadet on keyboard, Mike Severino on drums, and of course, Keith ‘Bugsy’ Goldberg on vocals. Goldberg says he’s been a big fan of Little Feat, and fans don’t have much opportunity to hear their music played live as two original Little Feat members passed away and the decent cover bands are on the west coast. Goldberg hopes that if the CYO shows go well, the Rock and Roll Doctors can continue playing more shows next summer, and with early rehearsals going very well this week, it’s sounding promising. “I think people are gonna be blown away by the level of musicianship we’re gonna have for these shows,” Goldberg said.

The Rock and Roll Doctors will be headlining three benefit concerts for CYO at three locations around Brooklyn and Queens, where CYO plays a big role, giving people in different parts of the Diocese the opportunity to come out and show their support for the program, with a night of great music. The first of those shows is this Friday, November 15 at St. Francis de Sales on Beach 129th Street. On Sunday November 17, the venue will be St. Patrick Church in Bay Ridge. The series will wrap up on Friday, November 22 at St. Gregory the Great Church in Bellerose. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available at: cyodob.org/concerts. All ticket sales support CYO in their mission to hire more staff. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Each show will also have an opener. For the Rockaway show, The Pointers, a popular all-female band out of Breezy Point, will take the stage first. At the Bay Ridge show, popular Bay Ridge band, which has previously played for CYO events, Cat Nip, will open the show. At the St. Gregory show in Bellerose, Rockaway’s very own Rockawades will take the stage. And then the Rock and Roll Doctors will follow each, closing out the nights.

Goldberg hopes those who have supported CYO over the years come out once again. “We’re trying to attract people who have children in CYO across the Diocese, we’re trying to get people who are involved as coaches, or people who may not have kids who are still involved but grew up playing CYO and for everyone where CYO was a big part of their lives,” Goldberg said. “It’s $50 to come out and hear two bands for three hours of music and it’s not going to kill anyone’s pocket. It’s going to be a great night of music for a great cause. For many of us, CYO has been an important part of our lives growing up and our children’s lives, so this is an opportunity to support the organization while having a lot of fun and listening to some great music.”

There may also be an auction for the original event poster, created by artist Geoff Rawling, to help raise some more funds. And to make the occasion extra special, Friday’s show will be an early birthday celebration for Bugsy, who turns 64 next week, and Friday happens to be St. Francis de Sales’ Monsignor John Bracken’s 84th birthday. “It’s going to be a celebration,” Goldberg said.

Tickets for all three shows, $50 each, are available online at cyodob.org/concerts. Those who are interested in attending are encouraged to buy tickets in advance, by Thursday night, November 14. However, tickets will also be available at the door, with cash or check.