Phil Pemberton
Roomful Of Love is an apt title for the benefit singer Diane Blue has organized to help pay down the cost of local blues singer Phil Pemberton’s healthcare issues. Blue has pulled together an assemblage of talent made up of former Roomful of Blues alums. Headlined by Ronnie Earl and Duke Robillard, the band will pumping the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, Massachusetts full of blues on Sunday, July 27.
With horn players Mark Earley, Doug James, and Alec Razdan, backed by keyboardists Rusty Scott and Matt McCabe, bass player Mudcat Ward and drummer Chris Rivell with special guest, Mike Welch, the blues will likely turn a deeper shade of emotive color. Opening the event is Brad Faucher with his Session 450 band, with whom Phil Pemberton frequently sang.
Pemberton, the longest serving Roomful Of Blues singer, had a sepsis infection in his right leg that made him pass out at home. Luckily, his son Jonathan heard him hit the floor. The family called 911 and that saved Pemberton’s life, getting rushed to the emergency room.
“They amputated the right leg below the knee,” Pemberton said. “I have an artificial leg there now. I named him Alan.” Other complications erupted.
Phil Pemberton
While Pemberton was in the hospital being treated and being amputated, he suffered a major stroke. The singer awoke in the ICU to find the whole left side of his body did not work.
“I stayed at the rehabilitation facility,” Pemberton said. “They taught me to walk again and how to get myself around correctly with a walker. I also got really good at a wheelchair, but I do not use it any more because I can walk with my walker.”
“His ‘day gig’ was painting houses,” event organizer Diane Blue said. “Standing on a ladder is out of the question, so he’s been out of work for quite some time.” It was Blue’s personal connection to the veteran blues scene vocalist that inspired her to put this benefit together.
“I’ve known Phil for a number of years, Blue said. “He is a good guy with a kind heart and a soulful voice. He fell on some really rough times. I kept in touch with him during his stint in the physical rehab facility. He was really trying to project a positive attitude. When I learned that they were going to spring him, I just thought, wouldn’t it be nice for him to feel the love of the music community? I know that there’s nothing like the power of music to heal one’s soul. And, for sure, the family could use the financial boost as well.”
Phil Pemberton with his family
Pemberton has a soul brother in guitarist Brad “The Future” Faucher. Together, they formed the Phil Pemberton Band around 2008. The two worked together in the Pemberton fronted band up until Pemberton left to become the new singer of Roomful Of Blues. Faucher started his own outfit he called Session 450. Faucher still cherishes the memories of work with his “brother.”
“We formed a brother-like relationship that continues today,” Faucher said. “I really appreciated how generous he was with up and coming performers. He always invited younger singers up on stage to gain precious performance experience, a class act.”
Doug Woolverton; Phil Pemberton
Pemberton, after singing with Roomful Of Blues as a fill in substitute singer for some months, officially joined in 2010. As that Rhode Island based outfit is an international touring band. Pemberton paired up with Roomful’s then trumpet player Doug Woolverton as his road roommate.
“Phil and I were the dynamic duo in my days of Roomful Of Blues,” the trumpeter said. Although Woolverton cannot make it to the benefit due to touring with Kenny Wayne Shepard, he offered his own memories of his roomie.
“Phil really encouraged me to always bring my horn so we could sit in with bands when in Memphis at the IBC’s, or, on tour. And we would sit in, and bring the house down together everywhere we went. It was so fun and so memorable. We would have so many great talks and hangs rooming together. And of course, lots of laughs. Phil and I loved to network and we shook a lot of hands creating a plethora of fans all over the world.”
Aside from having support from personal friends like Blue, Woolverton, and Faucher, Pemberton is excited to have Roomful legends performing at his benefit.
Phil Pemberton’s pre Roomful CD
“Duke Robillard Band have agreed to do this gig as a benefit for me and my family and I will also be singing live for the first time out since all this happened” Pemberton said.
“Some of my ex Roomful band mates will be there,” Pemberton said. “My friend Diane Blue set it all up and she will be singing too. It’s gonna be a good night.” The benefit show will be a trip down Roomful Of Blues memory lane, with many former members lending their soulful talents to this helpful event.
“Duke and Ronnie were both the previous guitar players for Roomful Of Blues,” Pemberton said. “They made the band famous throughout the world. Duke started the band, and Ronnie Earl took over when he left the band. They are both volunteering to be there to help me.”
Phil Pemberton
Pemberton, like many patients of long term healthcare, still has many medical bills even though things he needs at home have been provided by state programs. “My wife and kids have had to carry this big ball as I was out of it for a year and a half or two years,” he said.
Pemberton promises that he too will take to the vocal mic at his benefit to perform five or six numbers, his first time singing in public since his current health issues arose.
“I’m sorting through my CDs, my cassette tapes and my mini disk recordings for song ideas.” he began, “and I’m going to put together another group of guys and start playing out again. I just have to do it different now.
“And.” the singer continued, “I will do a new recording with my own songs and a new band. I have a lot of people I know throughout the world who’ve already said to let them know when I am ready and they will help me get booked.”
Pemberton looks forward to the next chapter in his life, but also feels he need to make it up to his family.
Phil Pemberton
“I am grateful to be alive and with my family because from what they tell me I almost died twice,” the singer said.
A special GoFundMe page has been created by Pemberton family friend Kevin Pound for those who cannot make it to the July 27 event. Pound has known Pemberton and his wife Emily since 2012. Pound met Pemberton when Roomful Of Blues was touring to support the Hook Line & Sinker album release.
“I saw him at the Sellersville Theater in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. We talked out in the lobby for probably 45 minutes after the show,” Pound recounted. From there, Pound went to more Roomful Of Blues shows and also met Roomful’s then keyboardist Rusty Scott and then trumpeter Doug Woolverton. When Pound got engaged, he knew which band he wanted to play at his wedding.
“I contacted Phil and asked how he felt about playing at a wedding,” Pound said. The band leader agreed to play Pounds 2018 wedding. Pound drove up to Massachusetts for Phil’s wife birthday party where he met the whole family.
Pound has created a GoFundMe page for fans and friends who cannot make it to the July 27 Shirley, Massachusetts benefit show. Fundraiser for Emily Pemberton by Kevin Pound: Support the Pembertons: Benefit Concert
“He couldn’t work any longer” (at his day job), Pound said. “I always find ways to give back to the community.” When Diane Blue has asked Pound to set up a GoFundMe page, he knew what to do. “It’s been a cool adventure for me. I’ve met Bobby Messano , Kim Wilson and a lot of other guys in the blues world just because of my friendship with Phil.”
The Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Rd, Shirley, MA, United States, Massachusetts (978) 425-4311
Fans of Phil can purchase a copy of his previous solo release titled Dreamers by going to his wife Emily Pemberton’s Venmo account: Wombles1972 Copies will also be available at the Roomful Of Love benefit.
