Ten key bands of the Northwest Indiana music community are donating their time and talent at an all-ages benefit concert from 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday in the Fine Arts Building of the Lake County Fairgrounds in Crown Point to help the Gordy and Felice Conn recover from the fire that burned their Merrillville apartment complex to the ground on May 20. The Conns escaped with only the clothing on their backs.

The emotional toll was devastating, especially after discovering the insurance on the building had lapsed, leaving them no way to recoup a lifetime of possessions, including three sets of expensive and highly collectible vintage drums.

In the '60s as a member of The Wilshires, Gordy opened shows for major rock names like New Colony Six, Blues Magoos, The Flock, and later he shared stages with the likes of Ted Nugent, REO Speedwagon, and once recorded with Chaka Khan in Chicago and filled in on drums for a short time with The Jacksons.

Today, Gordy is a member of the band, Kenny B. & the Hotts, and occasionally can be seen drumming with The Marilyn Gaza Band and other local acts, including The AcoustiCats.

Stepping on stage for a 40-minute set each on Sunday in order of performance will be The Ross Hubble Trio, Shuddup & Drive, Nick Danger Band, Scamp, Kenny B. & The Hotts, The Nicole Jamrose Band (acoustic), The Crawpuppies, The AcoustiCats, Torn Affair and Asteria.

A beer garden, raffles, food and games also will help fill the coffers at Sunday's event. Those unable to attend can still help through the "Conn Family Benefit Fund" at Centier Bank. For more information, call (219) 808-9635.

Slammin' for Sebastian ...

No less than a dozen bands will be cranking their amps to 11 at Amvets Hall, 13305 Morse Ave. Cedar Lake, to help 5-year-old Sebastian Ozment of Griffith, who has been diagnosed with a brain stem tumor.

Doors for the all-ages concert open at noon and the $10 door donation includes free food from 2 to 6 p.m. Raffles, door prizes and a bar for those 21 and older also are planned. For more information, e-mail sebastianozment@yahoo.com

Fightin' for life ...

On Saturday, fundraiser "Fight For Life" features performances by Sagas And Seakings (which will debut their CD "A Heaert Forever Beats In The Distance"), Dear Noel, Dramatic Visions, Green Room Rockers, Nurses and a solo acoustic performance by Dave Davison, the guitarist/vocalist of the band Maps & Atlases.

Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Nick Parente Scholarship Foundation, named for a local drummer from Lowell, who in died in June 2005 at the age of 21 from complications following a bone marrow transplant to treat his leukemia.

For more information, e-mail fightforlifeshow@aol.com or visit www.MySpace.com/fightforlifeshow.

Music notes ...

* Chicago-based blues-rock combo Howard & The White Boys will be the in-studio musical guest from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday on X-ROCK 103.9's "Night Rock" program and will perform live on the air unplugged. More on the group at www.howardandthewhiteboys.net.

* George Buck replaces Maria Garcia as drummer for longtime region band, Dyllyngyr. Buck also keeps the beat for Soundz Of Santana.

* Northwest Indiana guitarist-vocalist brothers Eric and Brian Fine are back to writing and recording under their old band name, EchoFarm, after regrouping with a new rhythm section -- drummer Mike DeLeurere and bassist Jerry McClure. More info at www.myspace.com/echofarm.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at beatboss@aol.com.