LONDONDERRY It’s an annual event to not only provide an afternoon of good music, but to do good in the lives of veterans. The 10th annual blues festival to support veterans’ causes is set for Saturday, Aug. 24, from noon to 4 p.
m., at the Londonderry Town Common, corner of Pillsbury and Mammoth roads. The music festival will put several bands in the spotlight, including Dr.
Harp’s Blues Revue Band, Rik-Sha Blues Band and South Side Blues Band, all taking the Town Common stage and playing throughout the afternoon. Admission is free for the all-ages show and 100 percent of proceeds will go to support the NH5-1 Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. For organizer Dennis Martin, also known as “Dr.
Harp,” the annual music fest has been a decade-long effort to support various veterans’ organizations and programs. Known for his stage presence and harmonica talents, Martin said the very first blues festival supported veterans through Liberty House. In the years since, other veterans’ groups and causes have been helped through the music effort and donations from those attending the show.
The harmonica became a big part of Martin’s life as a young boy of 10, when he picked up the small, shiny instrument and learned to play. Now he keeps about 100 harmonicas in his collection. Martin had opportunities through the years to play professionally with various music groups.
Martin, a Coast Guard veteran, has lived in Londonderry for more than 20 years. He said beginning the b.