What began as a tribute evening to Bruce Springsteen has become a benefit evening for the Plainsboro EMT and rescue squad on Saturday, June 9, at It’s A Grind coffeehouse. Jim Baxter of Plainsboro is organizing the event. Born in Brooklyn, he was raised in Huntington, Long Island — the home of Harry Chapin, the late folk singer and founder of WHYHunger. “He was very generous and his goal was to eradicate hunger in the world,” says Baxter, who met Chapin when he was 17. In the early stages of coordinating the concert he remembered that Springsteen played at “A Tribute to Harry Chapin” and recalled words spoken to him by Chapin, “I play one night for me and one night for the other guy.”
Springsteen charity work including Amnesty International, MusiCares, and WhyHunger made Baxter think that someone should benefit from the music. “We should do the concert as a benefit close to home,” says Baxter. “Maybe we can make an impact in the community.” Donations will be accepted during the event and all tips will be donated.
Baxter, a graduate of St. John’s University, has an MBA from SUNY Albany, and works at a major telecommunications company. He has lived in Plainsboro for eight years with his wife, Joanne. They have two adult daughters, a teenage son, and two grandchildren.
An acoustic guitar player since his teen years, Baxter learned to play from friends and the Internet. He performs at It’s a Grind several times a year and now runs the open mic nights with tribute nights. “I enjoy music and hanging out with people with similar interests,” he says.
Debbie Nuzzo, co-owner of It’s a Grind, suggested several performers and four will perform, including Baxter. “It is not easy finding performers interested in presenting 20 to 25 songs of the artist but there will be no duplicates of songs,” he says. The tentative schedule follows:
Jim Baxter performs from 7:30 to 7:55 p.m. with Growing Up, Racing in the Street, The Wrestler, and I Wanna Marry You.
Brandon Broderick (from 100% Cotton) performs from 8 to 8:35 p.m. with Downbound Train, Atlantic City, Mansion on the Hill, My Hometown, Nebraska, and Brilliant Disguise.
Stu Laermer will be on stage from 8:40 to 9:05 p.m. with Thunder Road, The River, Reason to Believe, From Small Things, and Jersey Girl.
Jason Coveleski, also known as Anker, takes the stage from 9:10 to 10 p.m. His set list includes Youngstown, Song for Orphans, Two Hearts, Waiting on a Sunny Day, Long Walk Home, and Darkness on the Edge of Town.
Baxter is already planning a tribute to the 1960s in July.
— Lynn Miller
Tribute to Bruce Springsteen, It’s a Grind Coffee House, 7 Schalks Crossing Road, Plainsboro. www.itsagrind.com or 609-275-2919.
