By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

What was the first band ever to play at the Cumberland County Civic Center?

Most music aficionados will say “ZZ Top,” but members of the Rusty Rocket Corp. will be sure to correct you. It was “The Blend,” a nationally recognized local band, which opened for the band with the legendary beards in the late 1970s.

The Rusty Rocket Corp., founded in memory of Blend guitarist and songwriter Jim “JD” Drown, will also be the first to tell you their mission is to support music and the arts in local schools. 

Drown died in 2002 after a battle with cancer. His family – wife Pam Drown, and sons Casey and Ty – and friends pulled together to create the organization in his memory. Starting out small, with money donated at his funeral in lieu of flowers, a benefit concert and a few other fundraisers, Pam Drown said the foundation has since grown and supports local music programs. She said they recently received official government recognition as a 501(c)3 and raised around $10,000 at last year’s benefit concert. They are hoping to match that amount at this year’s concert scheduled for Saturday.

“In this difficult time of the economy and recession, it is important to remember what so many students treasure the most. Music programs are getting cut all over the state, and this is our way to help make Jimmy’s and many other music student’s dream come true,” Pam Drown said. 

Run completely by family and friend volunteers, she said the Rusty Rocket Corp. dedicates all donations to local music programs. Most recently, Kennebunk High School graduate Hayley Nickerson was awarded a $1,000 scholarship toward her college studies. 

Nickerson, who was offered a job teaching dance, said she decided to enroll in liberal studies at York County Community College and accepted the job. She said she plans to live at home to cut costs, and applied for the scholarship. 

“The scholarship will help a lot with tuition,” Nickerson said. “I honestly went to class night thinking I wasn’t going to get anything, so I was really surprised.”

Since 2003, they have sent out nearly 150 requests to schools in York and Cumberland counties to identify needs in music departments, Rusty Rocket Corp. member Adrianna Pizzo said.

During the first year, they received three applications in return, she said. But they have seen increasing interest, and received 10 applications this year, Pizzo said. 

Four years ago, the foundation donated 24 guitars to Mildred L. Day School in Arundel, and in November 2008, they donated another 24 Fender Squire guitar kits to Loranger Middle School in Old Orchard Beach, Pam Drown said.

“I still feel very fortunate and beside myself every time I look at those guitars,” Loranger Middle School Band Director George Shabo said. “What they are doing for kids is amazing. We wouldn’t have this program without them.”

Shabo said purchasing guitar kits for the fourth through sixth-grade guitar program would have cost nearly $5,000, more than he could spend. The donation allows him to have a guitar for each student.

“Music is a lifelong endeavor and guitars are affordable and something they can take into adulthood,” Shabo said.

In addition to donations to schools, Rusty Rocket Corp. has given iPods to the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital in Portland. Pam Drown said she hopes their donations are supporting future generations of aspiring musicians in Jim Drown’s memory. 

“People looked up to him. They saw him as bigger than he thought he was,” foundation member Louann Hunnewell said. 

“Jimmy has been a mentor to me throughout my life,” Ken Tito wrote on the foundation’s Web site. “Not so much for the super talented musician, singer and songwriter he was, but more for the good, kind and caring person he was.”

“He really liked all people. He was full of life, and he was always looking for a good time,” Pam Drown said. 

The Seventh Annual Tribute to JD Concert, with performances by “The McCarthy’s,” “Jupiter Blues,” “Div Kid” and Jim Drown’s band “The Do-Rights,” is sure to be a good time, Pam Drown said.

“Hard Times Tour 2009” starts at 7 p.m. at the Rochembeau Club, 329 South Street, Biddeford. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $15 each or two or more for $10 each and can be purchased at the door or by visiting www.rustyrocketcorp.com. 

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.