He drummed for various local blues bands during the last 20 years, and recently served as the house drummer for weekly blues jams at Medley’s in Shockoe Bottom. “He was one of the best traditional old-school blues drummers you could find,” Keith “Li’l Ronnie” Owens recently commented. “He had a natural feel that some folks never get.” His impact to the community, however, didn’t end with his drumming. Olive was also active with Alcoholics Anonymous for 19 years, Owens reports. “He sponsored lots of people in all walks of life, and helped turn their lives around. He had beaten some demons and come a long way.” Olive died Sunday, Oct. 27. He was 50. He leaves behind his wife, Becky, and three sons. A benefit concert to defray medical expenses already scheduled for Sunday (Nov. 10) at the Canal Club will go on as planned with an array of local and national blues talent. Funderburgh hopes to make it to the benefit, which is scheduled to begin around 1 p.m., and features, among others, Johnny Hott’s Piedmont Souprise, Lil’ Ronnie & the Grand Dukes (Olive’s band) and Big Joe & the Dynaflows. The suggested donations is $10. — andy