Nieds Hotel » 2007 Highlights

2007 Highlights

Moondog’s - Maiden Performance

On Sunday Dec 30th, 2007, John Vento along with Nied’s Hotel Band guitarist Stephen Christopher were invited to perform acoustically to open a benefit concert for the “Baby Ella DePew Cancer Fund” at Moondog’s, the legendary home of the blues in Blawnox, PA.

The show featured The Great Norman Nardini, The Freeport Road Gang, and The Eldorado Kings.

Though Vento & Christopher had surely intended to deliver a simple, stripped down acoustic set, things somehow spun out of control when Nied’s Hotel drummer Ron Beitle stopped by with his old pal, and well known bassist, Russ Oblinger. Shortly thereafter Rheem Cleo guitarist and official Nied’s Hotel photographer Jim McCullough walked in and together with Stephen’s son Stevie (guitar talent runs in the family) they joined the entourage for a wild (and not so simple) rock-n-roll jam session.

Though Vento promised Nied’s Hotel Band live sound tech Richard Montest that this gig would be simple and peaceful, things just didn’t turn out that way. Oh well , that’s rock-n-roll!!

Nied’s Hotel Christmas Party - Parkinson’s Benefit

Ober Brau Haus at the Iron City Brewery - Pittsburgh, PA - December 1, 2007

On December 1, 2007 John Vento & The Nied’s Hotel Band performed a benefit concert for the Parkinson’s Foundation at the historic Ober Brau Haus ( Iron City Brewery - Pittsburgh , Pa ). John’s life long friend Frank Ferraro, seen here with “The Way That You Roll” cover model Billie Jo Powers, suffers with Parkinson’s Disorder.

Thanks to the tremendous generosity of Jim Nied and the folks from Iron City Brewery, the concert raised much needed funds for Parkinson’s research.

The Band ( John Vento - lead vocals , Ron Beitle - drums, John Fiore - Lead Guitar, John Mazurowski - keys, guitar , Rhonda Watson - bass , Carmen Petote - sax ) delivered two smokin’ sets that brought the house down .