A benefit concert will be held this Sunday at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville. The proceeds from the concert will go to benefit local musician Mike Ramiy who is battling liver failure.

“Mike has spent many years entertaining the people of Wetzel County with his unique musical talents. It’s only fitting that the community now give something back to Mike,” said the event’s organizer, Robby Parsons.

Ramiy was diagnosed with liver failure on June 2 and told he had approximately six to eight months to live.

“It has been extremely gratifying for me to see all the support that other local musicians have given to this cause,” Parsons noted. “We had to literally turn some musicians away who wanted to play at the benefit because we already had enough slots filled to accommodate 12 hours of music. . . and that was only two days after we had begun planning the benefit.”

Bands scheduled to perform at the concert will be coming from all over the Ohio Valley including some very notable performers.

Adrian Niles, one of the many performers, is a Shadyside, Ohio, native who has made waves in recent years by placing in the International Blues Competition held yearly in Memphis, Tenn.

“It’s always good to be able to help out a fellow musician,” stated Niles.

Another performer who has done quite well for himself is Weirton native Izzy Stetar, who is lead singer/ guitarist for the band “The Good Guys”. Stetar has also competed and placed in the International Blues Competition on numerous occasions.

“We are blessed to have the wealth of talent we have coming out for this benefit,” Parsons said.

Other performers include Smoke Daddy & The Crawfish, The Trainjumpers, KR-3, Austin Alexander & Carly Stephens, Days Later, Slam 6, Attica, Nate Smith, Uncle Eddie & Robin Mahonen, Tom Fonner, and local legend Bob White.

Coinciding with the concert, there will be a spaghetti dinner held across the street from the Lincoln Theater at the Florentine Arts Center. All proceeds from the dinner will also go to helping Ramiy offset medical expenses.

The benefit begins at noon. There will also be raffles and other special events throughout the day.

Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Kids 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at Witschey’s Shop N’ Save (New Martinsville), Baristas, Dr. David Bridgeman’s Office, Rollin’ Smoke Roadside BBQ, Sounds Incredible, The Plaza Inn, and The Florentine Arts Center. To make financial contributions please send checks to the Bayer Heritage Federal Credit Union (New Martinsville) payable to Mary Lohri c/o The Mike Ramiy Benefit Fund.