Piedmont Club to Host Weekend of Benefit Concerts: Music for Hope and Pedal Steel Guitar Association

DARIEN, CT., November 2, 2026 – The Piedmont Club in Darien is host to two benefit concerts in November; Music for Hope and Steel Guitars in Concert.

Local country western band, Gunsmoke, in partnership with the Piedmont Club of Darien, are presenting the annual Music for Hope charity concert and dinner on Friday, November 20th at 7pm. Gunsmoke, along with local band Wingmen, will be performing and food and beverages will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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Award-winning Nashville recording group Gunsmoke performs regularly at Broadway's Opry City Stage and has recorded six albums, performed for two sitting Presidents of the United States, and has been enshrined in the Connecticut country music hall of fame. The band was formed by brothers Jeff and Nick DeMaio Jr. of Darien, and has been performing classic country, western, swing and rockabilly music for over 25 years. In addition to Jeff and Nick, Gunsmoke includes band members Christina Mae, Van Manakas, Rebecca DeMaio and Nick DeMaio III.

The Wingmen, composed of locals Tom Travaglini, Charlie Howe, Chip Carmody, Kelly Kirby, Riley Stewart and Ray Bartone, perform 60s-80s rock and pop tunes mixed with an improvisational style that promises to get audiences moving and up on their feet.

Admission for the Music for Hope benefit concert is $25. Reservations or donations may be made in advance at (203) 554-1507. Reservations are strongly suggested as this event sells out each year. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for the show, which begins at 7 p.m.

The Pedal Steel Guitar Association is presenting the 49th annual Pedal Steel Guitar Association Show, Steel Guitars in Concert, at the Piedmont Club in Darien on November 22 from 11am to 6pm. The concert features iconic steel and guitar players Doug Jernigan and Redd Volkaert, and the house band of Sean Cronin, Larry Eagle and Van Manakas. Regional players will include Andrew Friedman, Jeff DeMaio with Gunsmoke, John DeMaille, Liam Bornovski, Raphael McGregor and Tom Reilly; and Van Manakas in a special performance. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Pedal Steel Guitar Association. Tables are available for vendors and players, and a pizza truck will be on the premises from 1-3pm. Visit psga.org for more information.

The Piedmont, Darien's Italian American Club established in 1916, serves as the meeting place for many town groups and civic organizations. It also hosts blood drives, sponsors youth sports, gives scholarships and hosts a monthly Men's Dinner. It is located at 152 Hecker Avenue in Darien. For more information about the Piedmont Club, go to piedmontclub.org.