(HUDSON, N.Y.) – Tommy Stinson, a cofounder of legendary rock band The Replacements and a touring member of stadium-rockers Guns n’ Roses, will headline Home Bass 2: A Little Help for Our Friends, a benefit concert for Columbia County Habitat for Humanity at Club Helsinki Hudson on Saturday, January 3, at 8pm. Stinson, who is curating the evening of entertainment, will be joined by Rhett Miller, lead singer of the Old 97’s; rock singer-songwriter Elvis Perkins; Jesse Malin; singer Ruby Stinson; Dust Bowl Faeries; Kiki*D, and other surprise guests.

The evening follows up the huge success of 2013’s “Home Bass: 4 Strings, 4 Hearts for Habitat,” which featured Stinson as well as fellow Hudson four-string players, including cellist Melora Creager and bassists Meshell Ndegeocello and Melissa auf der Maur, who is a member of Habitat’s Board of Directors.

It’s a personal connection that inspired Stinson to get involved. His friend Besham Burgess, a lifelong Hudson resident, is a single father of two and volunteer firefighter who works at COARC, a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities. Besham is one of two Habitat partner families now working with other volunteers on the new Passive Townhouses being built on Columbia Street in Hudson. “I’m totally grateful to Columbia County Habitat for helping my friend,” said Stinson. “He’s so deserving. What a great excuse to get some great friends together to create something unique for a cause that we all can get behind.”

Stinson has tapped Happiness, which is three-fifths of Deer Tick, to back him up for a set that will draw from his solo work, his former bands Bash & Pop and Perfect, and other projects.

Rhett Miller is a charismatic singer and songwriter lauded for both his solo work and for that with his seminal alt-country band The Old 97’s. Hudson-area resident Elvis Perkins’s deeply personal songs have fans clamoring for his long-awaited third album, to be released in 2015 and previewed at Home Bass 2. New York City-based performers joining the fun include Jesse Malin and Stinson’s daughter, up-and-coming pop singer Ruby Stinson. Hudson’s own MC Girlgantua will emcee the evening.

Habitat Executive Director Brenda Adams said, “We are so pleased to have the support of great artists like Tommy and Melissa. It’s going to be a wonderful night!”

Tickets for the 8pm concert are $50 each for reserved club seating at tables; $30 for seats at the bar; and $20 for general admission standing room. Dinner is available in the club or the restaurant, beginning at 5 pm. To purchase tickets and/or make dinner reservations, call Helsinki Hudson at 518.828.4800 or visit Club Helsinki Hudson.

The concert will be webcast worldwide via StageIt.com. For a minimum fee of $5, fans anywhere can join in the fun with interactive camera views and prizes. Seventy percent of the webcast proceeds will go to Columbia Habitat Humanity to support the construction of affordable housing for working families.

Columbia County Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1993 to build affordable housing for lower-income working families living in overcrowded, substandard rental units. In addition to its Hudson houses, Habitat has also built homes for working families in Chatham, Copake and Valatie. Construction is now underway for two new Passive Townhouses at 208-212 Columbia Street in Hudson, Habitat’s 17th and 18th new homes. Partner families must contribute 300 hours of sweat equity toward the construction of their new homes before they can close on the properties.

To help support its construction programs, Habitat operates the ReStore, where consumers can find new or gently-used furniture, appliances, tools, building materials, paint and other items donated by local residents and businesses, all sold at greatly discounted prices. The ReStore is open for shopping and donation drop-offs on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ReStore is located at 829 Route 66, alongside Habitat’s offices and adjacent to Village Dodge at the corner of Route 66 and Route 9H.

Habitat welcomes individual volunteers as well as groups from area businesses and community organizations.  To volunteer at the construction site or at the ReStore, contact Volunteer Coordinators Sara and Barry McWilliams at 518-828-0892 or email them at volunteer@columbiacountyhabitat.org.
For reservations in The Restaurant or in the club call 518.828.4800.