Whenever anybody in the greater-Boston blues community is down and out with medical expenses and no way to cover it with a musician’s salary, the community comes together like a tightly knit blanket.
Blues guitarist-vocalist Sam Gentile, from Basic Black band, fame had been hospitalized for issues resulting from high blood pressure, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure. He’s home now and resting comfortably, when he’s not at dialysis.
To help get the local legend beyond his hospital tab, his friends are putting on a benefit in his honor this Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14. It’s called A Night For Sam Gentile, to be held at The C-Note in Hull, Massachusetts, 159 Nantasket Avenue. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. A $20 donation is suggested.
A Night For Sam Gentile will feature performances by Duke Robillard, Brian Templeton, Diane Blue, Kit Holliday, Ricky “King” Russell, Racky Thomas, The Fat City Band’s Joe Baglione, Gregg Miller, Willie J Laws, SUPER FLY, Bagful of Blues, SOULSHINE w/ Cindy Daly, The Mumblers, and Track 44.
There is also a GoFundMe account set up for Sam by one of his cousins to cover his medical expenses. Gentile had been in the hospital for seven days without medical insurance. Costs have mounted because he had to have surgeries, lots of medical tests for dialysis treatments, and other work.
Gentile has had a long history of high blood pressure. Because he had no health insurance, it went untreated for at least two years. That resulted in Sam’s kidney’s failing and congestive heart failure. He is on dialysis three days a week for about four hours each session. He likely will be on dialysis for the rest of his life and may very possibly require a transplant, if he can find a donor and if his heart is strong enough to tolerate that type of surgery. Gentile’s sister, Kelly Gentile, said he is overwhelmed by the level of support he has received from the blues community.
“He is extremely lucky,” Ms. Gentile said. “If he had not stopped into a CVS minute clinic and had his blood pressure taken and subsequently gone to the hospital, the doctor told us he would have lasted two to three weeks at the most, dying of a massive coronary, a stroke, or complete kidney failure.”
Ms. Gentile continued relating her brother’s positive mental attitude.
“He is really looking forward to Sunday and is extremely thankful for the outpouring of love and support from friends and family,” she said. “If you are not able to stop by on Sunday, please do feel free to reach out to him via Facebook or text message. He’s in good spirits, considering all he’s been through. His phone hasn’t stopped ringing. I’ll post as many photos and videos from Sunday as my phone can handle.”
The C Note can be reached at 1-781-925-4300.
https://www.gofundme.com/crm9rf3k
https://www.facebook.com/events/469801439896914/
