“God knows you can have insurance, but there’s all the miscellaneous nonsense you have to pay,” event organizer Big Joe Maher, leader of Washington, D.C.-based Big Joe and the Dynaflows, says. “[Olive] is just a cool dude. Spiritually, it will help bring his spirits up to know his pals are rallying around.” River City Blues Society President John Morgan and Dynaflows guitarist Ivan Appelrouth are also helping to organize the benefit.

The early show runs from 3-8 p.m. at the Boulevard Delicatessen and Restaurant, 5218 W. Broad St. Bands scheduled to appear include the Smoking Section, Terry Garland, the Bluz Catz, Big Joe and the Dynaflows, and L’il Ronnie and the Grand Dukes. Olive is the long-standing drummer in the Grand Dukes. The cover charge is $10 but Maher encourages those who attend to contribute as much as they can.

“It’s just to show him how much everybody cares about him,” Appelrouth adds, “and any money helps.”

— Ames Arnold