W-b Man Gets Probation In Domestic Dispute Case

153 Cyclists Pump Out $45,000 For A Good Cause 
A Record Number Of Participants 
Raise Money For Hospice St. John, 
And Follow It With Barbecue Dinner

By VAN ROSE; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Tuesday, July 30, 1996 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10A 





One of Nashville's hottest new artists, Steve Azar, will perform a free
concert to benefit a memorial fund established in the names of the 21
Montoursville area victims of the crash of TWA Flight 800. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The country music singer will perform at 7:30 p.m., Aug. 14 at the
Williamsport Community Arts Center. Tickets will be free. However, donations
will be solicited for the fund, which will be used, in part, for funeral
expenses. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The concert is being co-sponsored by The Times Leader, WBRE-TV Channel 28,
and the Community Arts Center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Like all the rest of us, Steve is touched by this tragedy," said Kevin
Herring, vice president of field promotion at River North Nashville, Azar's
record label. He said the free concert is heartfelt on Azar's part. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It hits home. In our business, we're in and out of airplanes every day,"
Herring added. "It's scary to think that something like that can happen." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Fortunately, Azar's concert schedule allowed him to donate his services. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It's a matter of routing as much as anything else," Herring said. "Steve
is going to be performing in Huntingdon (Pa.) on Aug. 13, and Aug. 14 was an
open date," Herring said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Community Arts Center is donating the use of the venue. The Times
Leader is paying the stagehands. And WBRE is broadcasting promotions for the
event. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "We've wanted to do something to remember and celebrate the lives of the 21
members of our community that we lost to this horrible disaster," said Gram
Slaton, director of the Community Arts Center. "When this opportunity was
presented to us by Steve Azar and River North Nashville, we welcomed it with
open arms. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "The focus of this event will be on celebration," Slaton added. "We want to
remember the joy and energy of our many friends and neighbors that were lost.
This is a concert to bring our community back together." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Times Leader President and Publisher Mark Contreras said he is proud that
the newspaper is involved in sponsoring the concert. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "This will never completely heal the families' wounds, but we hope in the
short term to offer whatever assistance we can," Contreras said. "People in
the Wyoming Valley feel a closeness and a real sense of loss with our
neighbors in Mountoursville. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "People in the Valley really do want a way to express their unity and
support and condolences for the families affected," he added. "We feel this is
one of the most direct ways to give people that opportunity." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Art Daube, general manager of WBRE-TV, echoed similar sentiments. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Many people are trying to find something substantial and appropriate to do
in memory of those who perished in the crash," Daube said. "This event will
provide an opportunity for people to do something in a small way by attending
the concert." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Daube said Azar is an excellent role model for country music fans. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Steve Azar exemplifies all that is good in country music today. The fact
he is willing to donate his time and his talents and that the Community Arts
Center is willing to donate the space for the event is commendable." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Azar's recent single, "Someday," was a Top 20 hit. His current single, "I
Never Stopped Lovin' You," is climbing the charts. Azar's debut album,
"Heartbreak Town," has received widespread critical praise. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Azar also has a reputation of being one of Nashville's wildest concert
performers. Prior to signing his record deal, Azar developed a cult following
in the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana bayous. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tickets for the Aug. 14 concert can be obtained by calling the Community
Arts Center at 800-432-9382. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Steve Azar to perform free concert &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Concert To Benefit Montoursville Fund Country Music Star Steve Azar To Perform Aug. 14 In Williamsport