Within a few months of moving to Toledo from West Virginia nearly three years ago, I began getting back in touch with old friends from the Detroit music scene. Finding out who was still alive, functioning, and still active in and around the city. It was little easier to get in touch with old friends but I was also attempting to find new friends here in Toledo too. Myspace was making this much easier and it didn’t take long to get in touch and start making plans to drive into town and see some shows. I was also quickly getting to know some vital parts of Toledo's scene too.

During this process I became re-acquainted with someone I recognized from Detroit’s punk form back in the day. I was not good friends with this dude, by any means, but I recognized him and remembered seeing him at many of the old shows. We also knew many of the same people. People I did know and trust without question. So when Joe Bootboy Pio confided he had a form of cancer and needed treatments I felt bad for the guy. When I was told some close friends were getting together a benefit show for him I offered to help in any way I could. Joe was very appreciative of the offer and said he would put me in touch with his friend Sue, who was heading up the efforts. Over the years I had become friends with numerous bands, musicians, artist’s and entertainers. When I spoke with Sue I told her this and volunteered to contact as many of them as I could and see what items I could get donated. We could offer some as door prizes, maybe a merchandise table to sell the items, or if we get something or enough things we could have a raffle. You get the point - the better quality and quantity of items the more money could be raised for Joe's treatment.

Fast forward ahead a couple of months and we have more than enough items, the outpouring of items that were shipped to my house at the artist's expense was overwhelming, the list of bands that wanted to play the show was longer than we could handle, and many had to be turned away. The efforts of Sue, Billy, Wendy and all the other volunteers were rewarded with a show that went off without a hitch. The bar was packed, and not one person had a shitty time. I don’t remember the exact figure, but we raised a lot of cash for Joe Pio, and we got to feel really good about not only the good in our fellow man but about the punk scene as a whole.

(Joe Pio in white shirt on the left ,me standing next to him)

(The State )

Fast forward just a few days after the show and I get a call from Sue. She was not sounding happy at all. She told me certain actions by Joe had made her suspicious and she just had to follow up on those not so fuzzy feelings to make sure Joe was taking this money and using it for what we were all led to believe it was for.... Sue checked with the clinic that Joe was "receiving treatments at" and without breaking the law and protocol Sue was able to determine Joe was not a patient there. A few more calls and follow up and Sue was 99% sure we had all been duped and Joe was indeed just another junkie who happened to be a damn good actor and liar. Thankfully, Sue thinking ahead was able to ensure Joe did not get his paws on all the money. She called Fox news and they did a story with her on the show and how Joe had duped us all.

Needless to say, Detroit was not a safe place for Joe to be. He split town. Well, it turns out many places around the US, Canada, and as far away as Europe would not be safe for Joe. We had contacted everyone who donated and sent apologies right away. Even offering to make restitution if that was insisted upon. Once again the music community proved how upstanding and understanding they can be. Everyone and I mean everyone understood we were just trying to help a friend we thought needed help. No one was mad at us and no one wanted anything back. Joe, however, was somewhat of a wanted man..... we heard rumors about beat downs, jail, mental facilities and strange western towns where no has even seen a punker since the 70's. Joe had disappeared... Good riddance Joe.

Now I told you this story to tell you this one..... This unlucky event, as fun as it was, could have destroyed friendships and trust. It didn’t. This single pile o shit has actually been the catalyst for so many good things that followed. We had planned on a second show for Joe because we still had many items left over form the first show, and a list of bands that had wanted to play the second one. We forged ahead with the second show at Detroit’s own 2500 Club and this time chose the Karmanos Cancer Center as the recipient of what ever was left over from the first show and the profits form the second show. The second show was smaller in scale but still was a proud success.

(Grievance Committee reunion@2500 Club)

Moving ahead to September 2008 - it was decided since a good many of us had kids we would hold a benefit show on the same weekend and as in the first Joe Bootboy benefit show. It would be at the Old Miami in Detroit, but this time the profits would benefit Children's Hospital in Detroit. All the volunteers worked their magic, the bands played there asses off, and bands from all over the world donated merchandise, time, and money to ensure this show raised more money than both benefit shows did the preceeding year. We all worked hard, but the satisfaction of pulling it off made us decide to make it an annual event.

(Cavity Creeps 2008 Punk Fest)

(Rik Havoc-Manic Rage-Inchworm Race-Punk Fest 2008)

( Sue presenting check to Children’s Hospital)

2009 saw everyone get hit very hard by the recession. Undaunted, Punk Fest for Children’s Hospital plowed ahead with show plans. Again the second Saturday in September and again at the old Miami. This year there would even be a CD compilation made up to sell at the benefit and distribute through the mail worldwide to anyone that wanted one. Again the underground music community rose to the challenge and donated despite the pain it may have caused. We reeled in new volunteers to help along with those of us who had started with the Joe incident and had more new bands play along with ones who had been with us form the start. The show was featured live across the world via internet video feed. The compilation CD was given a rave review in issue #54 of Razorcake Magazine A healthy sum was again raised for a fund at Children's Hospital that as it turns out is annually supported by two major donors. Punk Fest and Sparky Anderson. Man, I’m proud to be associated in albeit only in name with anything the great Spark Anderson supports too!

( Country Bob & The Bloodfarmers Punk Fest 2009)

Plans for 2010's Punk Fest are in the works, the recession seems to be lessening its grips on some of us, and we plan to make the show and next CD better and bigger than ever.

I have met friends because of this volunteer effort that will last a life time. These shows have made connections for myself and various bands that have led to further shows and friendships being made that will last on that end too. My point... acts of kindness and charity were taken advantage of by a criminal at worst, a piece of shit at best, but the things that came out of that situation over the years, the good done, has far outweighed this a-hole attempt to destroy a scene. Guess what Joe Pio, you failed!!!!

You can't hide... you have been found again. Better pack those bags, I here Iceland is nice this time of year... here is his myspace-.www.myspace.com/joedoomsday .. maybe you wanna drop a line thank him for what he started .LOL

Whatever you do, if you see his face hold on to your wallet, I-Pod ,cell phone and walk the other way. Nothing but a liar and trouble. But as the old saying goes, never trust a junkie, whereever he may be….