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Music
Reunited members of The Coachmen at a recent rehearsal for Jamming for Jim, a benefit concert for musician Jim Milliard. Seated front, left to right, Michael Rocchetti, Bob Lussier, Jim Milliard, Linda Colangelo, Brian Herlihy. Back: Robin Aubin, Kevin St. Jean, Art “Bubba” Aldrich.
Concert set to help musician
KILLINGLY — Jim Milliard developed a nagging cough this past summer. He thought it was a sinus problem until he suddenly lost his strength and developed problems moving and breathing. He went to Day Kimball Hospital, and following assessment, received difficult news – stage 4 lung and liver cancer. The news was numbing, followed by a blur of activity. Jim was sent to UMass Medical Center, where the diagnosis was confirmed.
“I was there about a week for testing,” Milliard recalls. “Small cell carcinoma and my liver was non-functioning. I was told that if I didn’t start chemo immediately, I might have five days to live. That kind of news just stops you in your tracks. So guess what? I started chemo.”
It didn’t take long for word to spread. Milliard, a 1966 Killingly High School graduate and well-known musician in northeastern Connecticut, has spent over 55 years performing in a variety of bands, starting in the ‘60s with groups like The Continentals, The Rogues, and The Jimmy Holliday Revue. He eventually joined The Coachmen, a renowned eight-piece musical group that performed for more than 20 years throughout New England. When the group disbanded in 1986, Milliard went on to form Miami, Milestones Swing Band, and The Great Garage Band Reunion (GGBR). Besides music as a driving force in his life, Milliard was also defined by another character trait – philanthropy. Performances by the GGBR over the past 20 years have raised nearly $1 million for local charities and businesses.
The news hit close to home particularly for his bandmates, past and present. Linda Colangelo, lead female vocalist for many years with The Coachmen, had developed a warm friendship with Milliard, even working part-time in the ‘80s at Lussier-Milliard Associates, an entertainment business Milliard started with longtime friend and fellow saxophonist, Bob Lussier.
“As soon as I heard about Jim’s diagnosis and some of the financial challenges he was having due to costs associated with his medical care, I knew there was something we could do to help,” said Colangelo.
“A benefit concert was a no-brainer…not only financially, but emotionally for Jim…and the rest of us.”
Colangelo reached out to bandmembers of the Coachmen and the GGBR. Through the lightning speed of texting, everyone was on board immediately.
The philanthropic spirit runs high in both bands. The last time The Coachmen performed together was 2014 in a benefit concert to raise money for nine separate charities.
A benefit performance, Jamming for Jim, is set from 7 to 11 p.m. Nov. 15 at Thompson Raceway Restaurant.
Doors open at 6 p.m. and seating is first come, first served. Limited tickets remain at $40 each and are available at WINY Radio in Putnam and the Trinket Shoppe in Danielson.
The event is sponsored by Thompson Raceway Restaurant, Chase Graphics, Danielson Surplus Sales, The Trink-et Shoppe, and WINY Radio. Additional donations to Jim Milliard are still being accepted.
For more information, call 860-450-2245.
“Jim was hesitant at first, not wanting to let on that he had financial concerns,” said Colangelo. “His illness did not allow him enough strength to play his saxophone, so that was also difficult to manage emotionally. But I said, ‘Jim, you’ve literally tooted your own horn for years to benefit others. Let us make some music this time to benefit you and thank you for all you’ve done.’”
“My message is to take care of your body because it’s the only one you’ve got. I’m grateful that I am responding to the treatments. My liver is functioning again, I have some energy back, and I’m hoping there’s enough to pick up my saxophone again. The concert will be my chance to thank everyone who has supported me and the bands I’ve performed with all these years. The music has made for so made wonderful memories.”
“The concert is putting the wind back in his sails…and saxophone,” said Colangelo.
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