JTG Music Memorial Extravaganza event to take place May 5

MEREDITH — Giuseppe's Pizzeria & Ristorante will be hosting the 26th JTG Music Memorial Extravaganza on Sunday, May 5. This 11-hour music marathon fundraiser benefits the Gnerre Memorial Music Scholarship Fund, supporting music education and providing scholarships to graduating high school students each year from the Lakes Region who will be entering college for the first time and continuing their education in the field of music. This year marks the return of what was an annual event, until the pandemic hit the foodservice business in 2020.

With support from the musicians who donate their performances, the sponsors, the community and attendees, the Gnerre Memorial Music Scholarship Fund has awarded over $52,500 in music scholarships to 47 students from the Lakes Region since 1995. Donations to the fund will be accepted during the event and may also be made directly anytime at Meredith Village Savings Bank.

The JTG Music Memorial Extravaganza is held each year at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante in memory of founder Joe “Giuseppe” Gnerre, also known as “Papa G,” who passed in 1995, and his wife Annelle Gnerre, known as “Mama G,” who passed in 2015. This year’s show is dedicated to Michael Brien who passed away last year.

After a Musical Memorial to Michael Brien at noon — to be presented by his old friend and playing partner George “Rusty” Locke — Jeff Lines of The Holy Cows will be kicking off the Extravaganza, followed by 23 additional acts, with genres including classic soft rock, bluegrass, country, original compositions and heavy rock. The musical line-up includes Chris Kelly, John Theriault, Bernie Bluhm, Don Bergeron, Peter Brunette & Peter Heimlich, The Sweetbloods, The Dolce Duo, Pocket Change, Paul Hubert & Chicken Willy, Lou Porrazzo, Peter Lawlor, Joel Cage, Andre Balazs, No Limitz, Paul Warnick, Billy Gnerre, Mary Fagan & Greg Mosotvoy, Mike Loughlin, and Michael Bourgeois & Friends.

This year’s goal is to fundraise $4,000 and award up to four $1,000 scholarships. Giuseppe’s always conducts a raffle for a chance to win an outstanding new guitar for a $20 raffle ticket. This year’s prize is a Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic Concert Acoustic-Electric Guitar, hand-crafted from Amber Myrtlewood, valued at $750. This is a limited raffle, with only 100 tickets being sold. Raffle tickets are on sale now at Giuseppe’s Pizzeria & Ristorante, at Mill Falls Marketplace. The winning guitar raffle ticket will be drawn when all 100 tickets are sold, or the end of the Show on Sunday, May 5, whichever occurs first. Raffle ticket holders need not be present to win.

For reservations and event information, call Giuseppe’s at 603-279-3313.