Published: May 21, 2009 08:19 pm      

Concert honors memory of fallen soldier

HOOPESTON — In May 2005, Scott Wallace received devastating news. His son, Jeff, a private first class in the Army, was killed in action while serving in Iraq.

Scott, a local musician, decided to honor his hero son with a memorial concert every year on the Saturday before Memorial Day.

“I wanted to have a party for Jeff,” Scott said, “something to honor his memory.”

This year marks the fourth year of the concert — the Jeffro Jam.

The first Jeffro Jam was in 2006. While in the planning stages, Scott found out that a local florist, Molly Culbert, had started a scholarship in Jeff’s name called the Jeff Wallace Memorial Scholarship.

“The two just came together,” Scott said, adding that the contributions to the scholarship are accepted at the show.

Staged at the VFW in Hoopeston, the first Jeffro Jam received an overwhelming response.

“We had no idea it would be like this,” Scott said. “It was so crowded, there was more people standing out than in.”

To try to allow for more people, the following year they relocated the concert to the Hoopeston Bowling Alley.

“It was completely full,” Scott said.

Still needing more room, last year’s Jeffro Jam 3 was at the Hoopeston Civic Center. One of the sponsors, Dino’s from Main, gave out 500 bracelets for alcohol. It was estimated that more than 800 people had shown up.

Scott has been pleasantly shocked at the response, saying, “It’s probably the second biggest event in Hoopeston next to the Sweet Corn Festival.”

This year, Jeffro Jam 4 will be Saturday at Kelley’s Pub n’ Grub in Hoopeston. Many new bands have signed on to perform, as well as several bands that continue to return every year.

For the band Stinkditch, this will be its fourth year performing at the Jeffro Jam.

“It’s not your average music festival. It has every kind of music you can think of,” said Stinkditch guitarist Dusty Fink. “It’s our way of supporting those that fight for us.”

The show also is special to the band Stinkditch as its drummer, James Casteel, is Jeff’s brother.

In addition to the concert, Jeffro Jam T-shirts will be sold and there will be a bake sale. Donations will be taken for the college scholarship in Jeff’s name.

Scott’s own band, Furion, will have its CD available for sale at the show. The CD contains two versions of a track called “Hoopeston’s Son,” a song Scott wrote for Jeff just days after he was killed.

The first band starts at 3 p.m. and the bands change every hour. This year’s lineup includes: Turmoil at 3 p.m., 7 Year Existence at 4 p.m., Seminary at 5 p.m., Slow Intentional Damage 6 p.m., The Villens at 7 p.m., Furion at 8 p.m., Random Ax at 9 p.m., Fallen Oath at 10 p.m., Amplifire at 11 p.m. and Stinkditch at midnight.

Greg Fiore has loaned his equipment and has volunteered to run sound for free.

As the show continues to grow every year, Scott is always excited to see the new faces in the crowd. But he also looks forward to seeing some familiar faces as well. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again. It’s nice to have everyone in the same spot. It’s like a big reunion.”

“The best part about it,” Fink said, “is that even in death, Jeff is still helping us. Not only did he fight for us, the scholarship for him will help change someone’s life.”

IF YOU GO

The Jeffro Jam 4 begins at 3 p.m. Saturday at Kelley’s Pub n’ Grub at 225 E. Main St. in Hoopeston. Food and beverages can be purchased there. There is no cover charge.

For those who cannot attend the show, but would like to make a donation to the scholarship, donations may be made at the Community Bank in Hoopeston under the Jeff Wallace Memorial Scholarship.