Image

August 25, 2014

The man who helped many local musicians present their music to Sarnia-Lambton is getting a little help from his musical friends.

Steve Dumont of Playfair Music is organizing a fundraiser for long-time DJ, musician and motorcycle driver Gary Connors.

Connors, who is likely best known as the morning show host at CHOK Radio and The Eagle, was recently diagnosed with the advanced stages of lung cancer. Dumont says now he is in treatment but his friends are worried his health and his finances.

So Dumont has organized a benefit for Connors, Sept. 1 at the Polish Hall in Sarnia. It will be a celebration with musicians lining up to be a part of the music-based event.

“Most times Gary was the very first DJ to spin a record when at the corporate radio stations you couldn’t get past the front desk,” says Dumont adding Connors asked him to be part of a show which featured new local talent while he was hosting the morning show at The Eagle.

Dumont says part the reason for the help was Connors love of music. He’s played in several bands over the years including most recently the Southern Funk Experience.

“There are a lot of musicians who have stepped up to the plate for this fundraiser.”

Dumont says part of the reason for that is Connors would give musicians a helping hand. But he says people want to help simply because they like him. “He’s just a really nice guy, really down to earth, he’s not a poser. He wears everything on his sleeve and he’s a straight up guy,” says Dumont. “I like to say he’s my favourite lovable idiot.”

While his friends are excited to help, Dumont admits Connors wasn’t really enthused about the idea. “I told him I didn’t care if he hated me, I was going to do it, says Dumont noting there is a real need to help.

Connors may have to pay up to $1,000 per treatment and without good benefits, that gets expensive. “We hope to raise enough money so he does not have to worry about finances from now till Christmas,” he says.

“It is not hard to watch your life savings to be dwindle and be gone…last thing his family and friends would want would be for him to be turning down treatment.”

Dumont says the Sept. 1 event starts at noon with music starting at 1 pm. Some of the performers include Scott Manery and the Barnburners, Shelly Rastin and Mike Stevens.

“It’s going to be an upbeat celebration of all the great things he’s done and a bit of a thank you to Gary for all the things he’s done.”

For more information or tickets you can call 519-330-2651.

 

 

Share This

Image
Front Page

Fair banner may not fly

June 14, 2025

The Independent The Moore Agricultural Society has some big plans for the 175th anniversary of the Brigden Fair. But not all of their plans may work out. The ag society has asked for and received several approvals from St. Clair Township council for special events at the landmark fair including allowing a low-level Canadian Armed Forces Flyby and helicopter landings

Read More

Image
Front Page

Remembering Newell Hastings

June 14, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sunday, Newell Hasting’s service to King and Country over a century ago was remembered in a peaceful church cemetery near Watford. Hasting was born in Petrolia and his family moved to Watford around the turn of the century. He signed up to serve in the miltia with Watford’s 149th Battalion before being called up for service. He

Read More

Image
Front Page

Sidewalk projects around First Ave this summer

June 13, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent Sidewalks along First Street in Petrolia will be getting an upgrade once school is out for the summer. It’s part of the latest large project to improve the town’s sidewalk system. In 2023, BM Ross and Associates completed a study on Petrolia’s sidewalk system and found it lacking. It suggested $1.5 million in sidewalk construction was needed

Read More

Image
Front Page

Aamjiwnaang evacuates parts of community as INEOS decommissioning increases benzene levels

June 13, 2025

Leaders of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation are evacuating residents between Churchill Road and Tashmoo Ave after high levels of benzene have been detected in the area. Just before noon Friday, INEOS Styrolutions issued a notice saying hourly benzene emissions have been detected about 0.021 parts per million. The company is decommissioning the plant which is within eyesight of Aamjiwnaang’s band

Read More