PANOLA — Two up-and-coming country music groups will be in East Texas tonight for a concert benefiting one of their own.
Ricochet and Perfect Stranger will perform two shows, one at 6 p.m. the other at 8:30 p.m., at Panola College's Q.M. Martin Auditorium.
Tickets are $10 at the door and 600 seats are available at each show.
The purpose of the performances is to raise money for Perfect Stranger's lead guitarist Richard Raines.
His wife, Lesley, has had multiple surgeries over the past several months to remove tumors.
Raines, of Carthage, has not been touring with his band, best known for their hit single, "You Have the Right to Remain Silent." According to the band's Web site, he has been staying at the hospital to take care of his wife.
"We are hoping both performances will be sold out because it's such a worthy cause. Perfect Stranger has helped us out. Every time we called on them to do a benefit for something, they've done it," said Brenda Allums, who advises Circle K International, which provides college-level membership for the Kiwanis Club.
The Circle K club organized the concert and the sidelines of the show. Before the bands take the stage, a silent auction will be held.
"We've got everything from flower arrangements to four-day trips to Mexico," Allums said.
Nashville stars showed their concern for other country music family members by sending donations. Fans can bid on everything ranging from Neal McCoy's autographed pants to a tour jacket from George Jones or a Jo Dee Messina DVD collection.
The silent auction will be from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in a room inside the auditorium.
Before the auction and show start, hungry fans can stop by a food booth across from the college. Proceeds from the food booth will also go to the Lesley Raines Fund.
For those unable to attend the show, donations can be sent to Panola National Bank, C/O The Lesley Raines Fund, 1510 W. Panola, Carthage 75663.
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