Musicians rally around cancer-stricken guitarist for fundraiser

By David Hart
WBTW News Director
Published: January 2, 2009

Friends and fellow-musicians of a well-known Grand Strand bass guitarist will gather this weekend for a benefit concert.

Gary Craddock was diagnosed last year with Signet Ring Cell Adenocarcinoma, a rare form of stomach cancer. Craddock is well know in the music community, having played at many Myrtle Beach area theaters and at clubs up and down the Carolina coast.

“Gary Craddock’s Celebration of Life, Love, and Music,“ is scheduled to run from 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday at 2001 Nightclub on Lake Arrowhead Road in Myrtle Beach. Admission is $10.00.

“Anybody who knows Gary well, they love him. He is just a very kind and loving guy.“ says Shea Brown, a long-time friend of Craddock, who is helping organize the all-star event.

Area performers scheduled to take part include Steve Bailey; the Swingtime Big Band Jazz Orchestra; George Davis Group; Collin Fulleton; The Charisma Band; Dan O’Reilly’s U ‘N’ I, the Dan Ramsey Jazz Quartet; Jeff Zona, Robert Napier and Dean Black; Thrift Shop Jack, featuring Annie Kirkman, Larry Tanelli, Tom Garber and Chris Connolly; former TKO stars John Swank and Craig and Jackie Beaumont; Mike and Judy Duva; and Don Colton, Michael Stallings, Arlin Strader, Steve Kirkman, Wayne Cockfield, Lynwood Salvo, Vince Peeples and Painted Man.

For more information on the concert, call 449-5795.