Art LaFleur – “So Am I” – Helping Keri Alonzo Fight Cancer
Written by Staff on April 17, 2024
Art LaFleur – “So Am I” – Helping Keri Alonzo Fight Cancer – by Liam Sweeny.
RRX: Art, you are a musician, trying to help another musician, Keri Alonzo, in her struggle with colon cancer. Let me start by asking you about Keri. Who is she? Is she a solo artist or does she have a band? What does she play? And maybe more importantly, what’s something about her from beyond music people should know to best appreciate her?
Art: Keri Alonzo has been the powerhouse the lead singer of the band Jukebox Rebellion since 2018. She has an incredible vocal tone and range and her energy level is infectious! She is a very upbeat and inspirational person. She always has a smile and makes it her mission to uplift others. Even before her illness, she would post daily messages of inspiration and encouragement. The fact that she continues to do this while battling cancer is mind blowing. She’s just an all around great human being!
RRX: As I said before, Keri is battling colon cancer. I don’t know a lot about colon cancer other than getting screened now that I’m over a certain age. What have you learned about colon cancer from knowing Keri’s struggle with it?
Art: As someone myself over a certain age, I also know that I should be screened. (I have been twice and honestly am due again). What Keri has done by sharing her experience is to raise awareness about early detection and advising people to know what signs to look for as it relates to colorectal cancer. She has become a very strong advocate of getting checked. Additionally, by posting about her treatment, and continuing to have a positive outlook, she inspires others to fight through whatever their own personal struggles are, be it health, emotional, or whatever.
RRX: You are helping Keri raise money for the fight ahead. A lot of times, people raise money for an illness and people donate because they care about people, but the money raised does go somewhere. What kinds of costs go into fighting cancer?
Art: Well, honestly, I can’t speak specifically to cancer, but I can speak to having a prolonged chronic illness and what that was like for me and my previous wife when she was ill and was in need of an organ transplant. There are of course the co-pays and deductibles, but there are also the costs that aren’t covered by insurance for whatever reason. Procedures, medications etc. that the insurance company won’t pay for. Not to mention just the everyday costs involved. Often there is travel is required for treatment, which means gas, hotel stays, meals. All of these things add up! So every little bit helps.
RRX: There’s a song up on Bandcamp from now until the middle of June. Proceds go to help Keri. Can you tell us a little bit about that? And how can people help in additional ways if they want to? And how can fellow musicians support Keri?
Art: Yes it is a song that I wrote inspired by Keri. It’s titled “So Am I” after a post she made on Facebook. “Cancer is tough. Chemo is tough…but so am I!” Seeing that really struck a chord with me and I felt compelled to do something. So I wrote the song initially with the intent to perform it as a surprise for Keri with her band Jukebox Rebellion on April 14. The event unfortunately got cancelled, and so I instead decided to record the song and release it to help raise money for Keri. I enlisted the help of David Tyo of TyoMixes in Saratoga to record and produce the song. He’s an old friend and he and I have worked together on numerous projects over the years. Then I got some help from a literal who’s who on the local music scene to play on the record. My wife Shawna Dawn (who inspired me to write this as an upbeat tune for Keri and also convinced me to contact Dave to record and produce the song) of Art-N-Shawna acoustic duo, and Grit-N-Whiskey sings lead vocals, Jeff Dudwoire of Skeeter Creek plays drums, John Harmon of Simple Machine plays bass, Chris Dollard formerly of the Refrigerators and Jukebox Rebellion plays keys, and acoustic performer and lead singer of Electric Rodeo Jenna Sue and former Janis Joplin Tribute singer Donna Lee Reisinger both sing backing vocals. For now the song is available exclusively through Bandcamp at https://artlafleur.bandcamp.com/track/so-am-i-feat-shawna-dawn. People can download the song for $5.00 (or more if they feel inclined) and all proceeds during this period will go to Keri. Additionally there is a a benefit concert for Keri on Sunday June 2 from 2-6 pm at Vapor Night Club. It’s called Get Screened and Rock On. The line up will be Jukebox Rebellion, Grit-N-Whiskey, E.B. Jeb, and Skeeter Creek. Tickets are on sale now for just $20 and can be purchased at SARATOGACASINO.COM or in person at the casino. I would encourage all of our friends in the music community to support either or both of these two fundraising efforts.
RRX: As I said before, you’re a musician. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Also, how did you meet Keri? If you have a cool story about you and her, we’d love to hear it.
Art: I’ve been on the local music scene for about 25 years. I’ve been in numerous cover bands over the years, but also have a history of writing and releasing original material. I released an album a number of years ago with my band Byrds of Prey, and currently have a few singles available on all streaming platforms. In fact my song “I’ve Come to Realize” (which I also worked on with and was co-produced by Dave Tyo) has been nominated this year for an Eddie for Record of the Year. Keri and I met on the music scene while Shawna and I were seeing Jukebox Rebellion. We are friends with band founder Jay Yager, and while there we were introduced to Keri. Overtime we got to know her and have become friends. I think the highlight was last summer when Jukebox Rebellion played at Shawna’s birthday party at Carson’s Woodside Tavern. It was a miserable rainy day but that didn’t stop the party! Keri brought the house down and the highlight for me honestly was both Shawna and myself getting on stage and performing with her. It was quite a moment!!
RRX: I’m sure I didn’t cover everything about this, so it would be a good idea to give you the floor so that you could mention anything I either forgot or didn’t know. So the floor is yours.
Art: I just want to say thank you for giving me this platform to talk about Keri’s situation and what we’re trying to do for her. I truly feel that the local music community is as strong as ever, loaded with talent, but more importantly loaded with compassion. When one of us is down, the rest of us really do rally to the cause. Thank you for helping to support the community. Also, register to be an organ donor!
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