Concert proceeds to aid ‘We Care’ fund

By Sean Noble

The proceeds from two upcoming DeKalb concerts will benefit the “We Care” alcohol awareness fund established by Otto’s employees and customers in memory of co-worker Christine Billmeyer.

A local band, 9th Street Jam, will be appearing at Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. Bar Manager Chris Como said the event will have a $2 cover charge which will go to the “We Care” fund.

The fund was initiated after Christine Billmeyer, a former Otto’s employee, was killed in an Oct. 4 car accident. Billmeyer was the passenger in a car driven by Ann Smith, also an Otto’s employee. The car was struck by a car driven by Demetrius Glenn, whom police arrested and charged with reckless homicide, driving under the influence, driving on revocation of license, and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Como said some of the members of 9th Street Jam are also NIU students involved with the NIU Jazz Ensemble.

Otto’s owner Bob Daniels said the “Rock Through the 60s” performance at the Egyptian Theater, 135 N. Second St., also will benefit the “We Care” fund. Three popular recording stars from the 1960s will be appearing at the Dec. 18 performance at 8 p.m., he said.

Daniels said two of the acts will be Gary Lewis and the Playboys and Dennis Yost of Classics IV. Classics IV gained popularity with the songs “Spooky” and “Stormy.”

The show also will feature Billy J. Kramer of the Dakotas, Daniels said. Kramer was managed in the early 1960s by Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein, and became famous for his version of the John Lennon/Paul McCartney song “Bad To Me.”

J.P. and the Cats, a local band, will be special guests at “Rock Through the 60s,” Daniels said. Tickets are $5, he said.

Como said “We Care” has been working actively to promote alcohol awareness through the Miller Brewing Company-sponsored TIPS program, which helps bartenders and waitresses care for customers who have become too drunk. She said the fund also is looking at a courtesy car service which would offer transportation to drinkers who are too intoxicated to drive home from the bar.