WHAT: Concert for the Troops with Buckshot Jones

WHEN: 10 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: O’Briens Irish Pub, 11 E. Central Ave. in Temple

ADMISSION: $5 for 21 and up

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For Scott Bailey, a charity concert is something he’s wanted to do for a long time.

Bailey, a Belton resident, is a retired disabled veteran who was injured in the line of duty in 1982. He had more than 25 operations that left him out of work - and when he was able to work, he said he did so “with a cast from my foot to my hip for two years.”

That’s where the Army Emergency Relief (AER) fund came in.

“Life was difficult,” Bailey said. “If it wasn’t for (AER), we wouldn’t have had electricity or food sometimes.”

The former soldier said he never forgot about the help he received, and years later Bailey’s wife, Mary, started Bailey Entertainment and Management. The company previously booked acts for the The Ranch in Temple. In June, the couple decided it was time to find a way to give back to AER.

“You always hear everybody talking about how they want to do something for the troops,” Bailey said. “We’ve always heard musicians like to step up to the plate for benefits for the troops, and we’ve found that to be very true.”

For Saturday’s inaugural event, Bailey enlisted the help of local band Buckshot Jones.

“I’ve known Scott for a long time,” said Jessie Howeth, lead singer of Buckshot Jones. “We used to play at The Ranch. He told me about the project, and I told him I’d love to be a part of it.”

Howeth is a 2002 graduate of Yoe High School in Cameron and has family who are a part of the military.

“My uncle is still in active duty in Pensacola with the Air Force,” Howeth said. “My grandpa worked for the Army as a mechanic for airplanes.”

Buckshot Jones’ sound is a cross between Texas Country artists “Randy Rogers (and) Cross Canadian Ragweed ... with a little bit of singer/songwriter influence rather than straightforward country,” Howeth said.

The plan for now is to have a Concert for the Troops every month, and the Bailey’s have seen a windfall of help come their way.

“I have not been turned down by anyone I’ve talked to about anything,” Bailey said. “They may not be able to accommodate exactly what we need but they are willing to do something.”

However, they could always use a helping hand.

“We are going to see this through no matter what. This first one we are pretty much financing ourselves,” Bailey said. “We need support and are looking for more sponsors.”

Bailey stressed that the couple isn’t making any profit from the concerts.

“A portion goes to the band. They’ve got to pay for gas, sound and stuff like that,” Bailey said. “Everything after that goes to AER. They were our lifeline, and they are a lifeline for many soldiers now.”

Bailey Management and Entertainment set up a Web site where donations can be made directly to the Army Emergency Relief fund. The site is at www.yourcause.com/

helpthetroops.

The next concert will be 9 p.m. Oct. 3 at Denim & Diamonds in Temple with Rodney Hayden in concert.

For information, call 254-931-7007

--rrenfrow@temple-telegram.com