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 blues festival was a way for him to organize efforts to give back to fellow veterans who may need support, in whatever way they need it. Martin added he remembers how he received help in years past as a veteran needing support.
“It was my time to give back,” he said. “And there’s really good support in Londonderry for veterans.” For Martin, it’s about the music, the sharing of the blues sounds and knowing how it all can be a great help to many.
“And it’s very therapeutic for me,” he added. Martin often brings on musicians to play in his Blues Revue Band that are veterans themselves, another point that draws the group closer and joined for a similar cause to help others. In addition to an afternoon of blues sounds, there will be food trucks, ice cream, vendors and raffles.
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