CHRISTMAS HOOT

Ghosts of Cape Girardeau's musical past, present and future will play Christmas songs at Broussard's Friday to help abused and neglected children.

The 8 p.m. event is the second annual Cape Girardeau Musicians Christmas Hoot, which this year will benefit the Cottonwood Residential Treatment Center in Cape Girardeau.

The state-funded center treats youngsters ages 6 to 16 who have emotional or behavioral problems. Most have been neglected or abused.

Marylene Elliott, the center's special projects coordinator, said the money will be used to make Christmas cheerier for Cottonwood's 32 juvenile residents.

"Because of their situation, a lot of the kids don't have contact with their family or significant others," Elliott said.

The money will be used to buy them Christmas presents, especially clothes.

"We brought in a little boy the other day that had one set of clothes and a pair of shoes three sizes too big," Elliott said.

State money can't be used to buy the children gifts, she added.

Broussard's already has kicked in $250. No admission will be charged to the hoot, but each patron is asked to make a $5 donation.

Bob Camp is chairing the event along with Todd Mayberry of Human Zoo and Lindsay Bowerman of Brave Little Toasters.

"Last year it really was a hoot," Camp said. "Good times and good vibes.

No one is required to play Christmas songs, Camp said, but recalled that last year's "Christmas with the Devil" by Spinal Tap was a big hit for Brave Little Toasters.

The evening also will be a salute to Thad Bullock, a longtime Cape Girardeau musician-businessman and former Democratic Congressional candidate.

The musicians performing will include Bullock and businessman-Park Board member Mike Kohlfeld, who sang and played bass in local rock bands in the 1970s.

Another blast from the past will be a performance by the resurrected Chimes of Freedom, a popular '70s band from Scott City. That band includes Camp, St. Louisan Randy Leiner and Steve McPheeters.

Also performing will be pianist Peter Kovacs, and the duo of Rick Bain and Danny McSwain.

TUFA drummer Wesley Gray will play guitar instrumentals. TUFA's Chuck Hanna also will perform.

Others performing will be Kyle Moyers, Bill Hughey, Bruce Zimmerman of Bruce Zimmerman and the Shysters, Brad Springmeyer of Duo Sonic, Ronnie Grubb, Jeannie Hinck, Theresa Morrill and high school student Nikki Camp.

Brave Little Toasters will return, along with the Friction-Camp Experience, Santa's Sashay and Human Zoo.