SAUGUS ― Jim Tirabassi has served his country in the armed forces and now is lending his talents to continuing to help the veteran community.
Tirabassi is a U.S. Army veteran who has been working in music since the late 1970s. He worked for bands like Steppenwolf, the Grass Roots, and the Guess Who for a brief time, before coming back to New England.
The veteran began working in the production end of shows, eventually going on tour with the likes of Foghat, Badfinger, the Outlaws, and Toy Caldwell (formerly of the Marshall Tucker Band).
Before moving to Florida, a local musician had connected him with some national performers who were heavily involved in philanthropic events. The concept of music as a charitable effort stuck with Tirabassi and, while in Florida, he worked on different strategies.
A few years later, returning to New England, he once again reconnected with some of the musicians he’d been involved with more than 20 years earlier, making some new friends along the way.
One of the performers he reconnected with was James Montgomery, whom he had worked for back in the ’70s. Montgomery was heavily involved in nonprofit events, having been one of the first to do benefit events back in the 1960s and ’70s while in college.
With music and charity fundraising in mind, Tirabassi decided to create an organization that eventually became known as V is for Veterans; its first event was held at Mechanics Hall in Worcester and featured notable musicians from Boston, helmed by Montgomery. From then on, the organization strived to do several shows per year to support various organizations providing support to veterans.
In 2020, COVID-19 put a lid on the shows they were trying to build and the more specific causes they were trying to assist. During the pandemic shutdown, Tirabassi changed the name and purpose of his organization into what it is today: “Rockin’ 4 Vets.”
A year later, the Wong family, who own the Saugus restaurant and event space Kowloon, said they’d love to be involved in the cause ― the first show of 2021, featuring John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, was held there on Aug. 15.
During the show, the company that does the ticketing for Rockin’ 4 Vets told Tirabassi a rather disturbing story. It involved a Vietnam veteran who, at a point in time, had become homeless and resided in a shelter.
The incidence of homelessness among veterans was a cause that needed to be addressed, according to Tirabassi. Now 100 percent of all profits from the upcoming series will go to veterans’ organizations in the area dealing with homelessness.
The upcoming “Rockin’ 4 Vets” performance series, entitled “Home Grown Rock for Boston’s Homeless Vets,” will consist of three individual shows. The first show will take place on Sept. 25, continuing to Oct. 2 and 9. The series will showcase the musical talents of Barry Goudreau’s Engine Room (9/25); the James Montgomery Band with Barrence Whitfield, Cape Ann musician Ilana Katz, and former U.S senator, ambassador, and guitarist Scott Brown (10/2); and up-and-coming Marblehead guitarist Gus Percy and Jon Butcher playing with Sal Baglio of The Stompers (10/9).
Brown said that he can’t wait to perform at the event.
“It’s always an honor to play with James Montgomery and his All-Stars,” said Brown. “I’ve been a fan for decades. I’m even more impressed with the amazing philanthropic work he does for our veterans. I encourage you all to come out to a great concert for a great cause.”
Donations received from the event series will benefit the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, located in Haverhill. In addition, Bob’s Discount Furniture has agreed to make donations to the center for each of the three concerts in this series.
Tickets for the show are $35 in advance and $40 at the door, and are available for individual shows or at a discount for a series package. The group will also be offering VIP packages. For more details on all the shows go to GimmeLive.com.
