Bluegrass Widow to Receive Help from Benefit Concert!

On Sunday, February 19, 2012, there will be a Bluegrass Benefit show for Minnie (McGinnis) Necessary, beloved wife of the late Frank Necessary.

This benefit is to help Ms. Necessary with overwhelming funeral and medical expenses. After spending almost 9 months in the hospital, Frank Necessary passed away on December 15, 2011 at his home where he was able to be for only 24 hours before his passing.

Frank Necessary, highly under-rated for his banjo talents, has been leader or co-leader of some fine Bluegrass bands over the years. A native of Kentucky, Frank learned his first guitar chords at the age of 7. However, Frank never really got serious about music until he was doing Air Force duty in Germany in the late 50’s. By the mid-60’s, he found himself in the Baltimore/Washington area working in a variety of bands including those of Buzz Busby, Patsy Stoneman, and a band called the Spruce Mountain Boys.

In 1968, Frank moved to Ashland, Ohio where he joined forces with the Stone Mountain Boys for half-dozen years working at the WWVA Jamboree in Wheeling West Virginia and played Bluegrass festivals throughout the Midwest. In 1974, Frank Necessary returned to the Baltimore/Washington area, where he and Al Jones became co-leaders of the Spruce Mountain Boys. They played clubs and some festivals in the region. They cut one of the best, well-produced bluegrass albums for Rounder ever released. Later Buzz Busby came into their group, during which time they cut an album for Old Homestead. In their later years, they continued to work in the D.C. and surrounding areas.

The benefit show will start at 12:00 pm and run until 8:00 pm with many local Bluegrass bands plus some special guests. Bands confirmed at this time are: The California Ramblers, Jay Armsworthy, Charlie Thompson, Smoke Creek Rounder’s, David Norris, Bubba Abell and Spoon Creek, Paul Adkins Band, and many, many more...... It will be held at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge, 27636 Mechanicsville Road in Mechanicsville, MD. Tickets are only $10.00 per person and there will also be a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, cooler of cheer and much more!!! Food will also be available for purchase.

Sunday, February 19, will be a day filled with lots of good Bluegrass music and fun from many friends, family, and musicians in the memory of Frank Necessary. He will be there in spirit. For more information about the event, call 240-925-0133 or 301-737-3004.