Music fest rocks big charity numbers

Rockers Robin Zander of Cheap Trick and Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers join Bruce Cohn, at right, during a gorgeous Sunday afternoon at 24th annual B.R Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival.

Cohn said it was an extremely successful weekend of fundraising as hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for charity.

This year’s proceeds will benefit American Legion Post 489, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Little Kids Rock, Sonoma Jazz + Music in Education and Salvation Army.

Over the years Cohn has raised over five million dollars for various local and national charities.

“I was extremely pleased with the outcome this year and appreciate people’s generosity in a difficult economic climate”, enthused Bruce Cohn. “I would like to thank all the musicians, volunteers and my staff who helped make this year a great success.”

Kicking things off on Friday night October 8 was a sold-out, sit-down dinner in the winery’s Olive Grove, with an auction that raised a record $180,000. Top items included a fund-a-need for the Sonoma Valley veterans group American Legion Post 489, which raised nearly $50,000, and two private dinners at Bruce Cohn’s home with Chef Bradley Ogden.

Two days of music in the amphitheatre followed, with a sold-out show headlined by the Doobie Brothers and Cheap Trick on Saturday, and an old-school bill topped by Eddie Money on Saturday. Additionally, Cohn’s annual Celebrity Golf Classic was held at the Sonoma Golf Club on Monday, October 11.
Next year’s event is scheduled for the weekend of September 23-26, 2011.

Photo credit: Pat Johnson Studios