Waco Brothers’ Jon Langford Plays Special Concert in Memory of His Cat-Loving Late Drummer

Jon Langford

Wed 8/4 @ 6-9PM

 Last January beloved Chicago musician, drummer Joe Camarillo, died of a strike; he was only 52. He’d played with a wide range of musicians, particularly in the alt-country scene, and for 23 years had kept the beat for Jon Langford’s Waco Brothers who often played the Beachland Ballroom.

During that time, Camarillo, a cat lover, became friends with Debbie & Pete Gulyas of Blue Arrow Records and the Waterloo Alley Cat Project. He would stay at their house when he was in town and, Debbie recalls, “There’s this great big guy and he’s got our cats all over him.”

Joe Camarillo & friend

After his death, Langford held a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family, which raised far more than they needed so they donated a piece of it to the Waterloo Alley Cat Project. They used it to enhance the cat sanctuary and cat garden behind Blue Arrow, including planting a dwarf redbud tree in Camarillo’s memory and installing a plaque honoring him.

Joe loved and helped cats in his own Chicago neighborhood and saw firsthand the work of the WACP during his many trips to Cleveland while on tour,” they share. “The funds, which will be used to feed & care for feral cats in the neighborhood, also helped create a memorial garden to honor Joe Camarillo’s generosity and kindness as well as serve as a memorial for the feral cats who have crossed over the rainbow bridge.”

The Waco Brothers are returning to town to play the Music Box concert hall on August 5. On August 4, Langford will play a free solo acoustic set at Blue Arrow Records to help dedicate the memorial garden. Langford, who is also a painter, will also have his art for sale. Proceeds from the evening’s drink sales will benefit the Waterloo Alley Cat Project. Come meet Jon and the Blue Arrow cats, such as Rhonda, below.

bluearrowrecords.com/august-6-jon-langford-performing-live-at-blue-arrow-records/

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