Story by Stu Campaigne
Hundreds of notables from North Bay's music scene, as well as Harney's family, friends and supporters, packed the Summit Room at the Voyager to capacity to raise money to aid Harney in the fight of his life.
When local rock royalty gets together to back one of their own members, the notes resonate, the suds flow, and the legendary stories get salty. Below are the anecdotes gleaned from the Jim Jam that are still fit to print.
Jim Harney, a revered local artist, has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer that has left him facing five weeks of radiation treatments, visits to Ottawa doctors, and mobility issues. Having already had to cancel some booked shows, and facing a long layoff from work, Harney, as is the case with many in the industry, had no benefits to fall back on.
Enter Harney musical collaborators and close friends, Brent Ogletree, Dean Falconi, and Waxxie Belbin, who teamed up to organize the event.
They knew they would meet resistance due to Harney's proud nature, but they proceeded to put on a raucous, yet touching event designed to get Jim the assistance he needs, while allowing him to focus on the medical side of things.
"His spirits are really high," Belbin relayed, having recently spoken to Harney.
"Jim is very overwhelmed by the community support in advance of the benefit, as well as the event itself," Ogletree added.
​Donations page for Jim Harney: https://www.gofundme.com/
Throughout the afternoon, as band after band (some 30 plus in all) took to the stage to play in Harney's honour, it was apparent to all in attendance that many people had given their time, talent, and hard work, all in hopes of helping the man who one special guest affectionately referred to as "Winsome Jim."
John MacDonald, who cancelled a gig of his own and travelled from the Ottawa-area to play at the benefit, suggested that, "Nobody can make an elderly lady giggle and laugh like 'Winsome' Jim Harney," a reference to Harney's many unpaid visits to entertain residents at retirement communities.
When asked why he had come such a distance for the event, MacDonald intoned that if the same question were asked of Harney, Jim would simply reply "because this is what we do," alluding to the music community.
Peter Cliche, who makes up half of an exceptional performance duo with Harney, was visibly touched by the turnout, and the love and compassion on display.
"It's hard for me to even come here and think about playing without Jim," said Cliche.
"He's half of me on stage. Not just because of his musical abilities. We have fun. He's such a bright light."
Perhaps the most touching experience of the day, in a day filled with many, regarded Jim's daughter, who had set up her own table of goods among the various raffles and generous donations from local businesses.
The young lady was selling seeds in envelopes, in return for a small donation. On the outside of the envelope, each beautifully hand-decorated, was an affixed typed note that read:
The Jim Harney Friendship Garden
Scatter. Water. Think good thoughts.
Good thoughts, indeed.
