Hoyt to perform 2nd annual concert

By Jaime Thomas

The village’s concert series is finishing, but Phil Hoyt will keep the music going for one more week.

On Saturday, Sept. 14, Hoyt will hold the second annual Operation Adopt a Soldier Benefit Concert in Veterans Park from 1 to 3 p.m.

Hoyt said the decision to help out the organization came after offering a free concert to the community for five or six years in a row.

“I saw it somewhere else, and I thought instead of just having a free concert, why not do something to raise some money?”

So he created the fundraising concert, which will include food, a bouncy house, a giant flag, military vehicles and a fly over—weather permitting. As the concert will be a sort of mini carnival, there will be such food for sale as hamburgers, hot dogs, soda, water and desserts.

Hoyt, who performs originals and covers of country music, is hoping the weather will allow for a good turnout. He describes his style as “music so down to earth it has grass stains on it.”

“Support a good cause and listen to some good traditional country and military songs,” Hoyt said. Operation Adopt-A-Soldier, to which all raised funds will go, organizes care packages for service members abroad and also gives cash donations to military families in need. On the organizations website, operationadoptasoldier.org, there is a list of items soldiers could use.

Hoyt said he hopes to have a box set up at the concert, so those that want to bring these items for care packages can do so. Additionally, they can donate on the organizations website.

“If people don’t want to listen to me sing, they can just give money—I can live with that,” Hoyt said. He encourages anyone with any military vehicle to display to bring it to the event and offers a special invite to all active or veteran military personnel.

For more information or to help with the concert, contact Hoyt at 518-337-6789 or 518-642-0536 or email [email protected].