B. R. Cohn Charity Events Raise 'Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars' Over Weekend

Vintner, philanthropist and music artist manager Bruce Cohn has concluded the 26th Annual B.R. Cohn Charity Events Fall Music Festival, Gala Charity Auction Dinner and the Celebrity Golf Classic.

The events raised "hundreds of thousands of dollars" for organizations, according to spokesman Michael Coats.

Over the years Cohn has been able to raise more than $6 million for local and national charities including national veterans' organizations.

Proceeds from this year’s festival will be spread among several charities including: Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance, Redwood Empire Food Bank, The Guardsmen, Operation Homefront, and American Legion Post 489.

Highlights of the weekend's concerts included the reunion of Michael McDonald after six years with original singers and songwriters of The Doobie Brothers, Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons for two shows; Kenny Loggins performing Sunday’s show and singing with The Doobies and Dave Mason; Buddy Guy on Saturday leaving the stage and wading well into the crowd; and guest appearances by Dave Jenkins of Pablo Cruise and Jeff Watson of Night Ranger guitar jamming with The Doobies.

Saturday’s concert featured a performance by the Doobie Brothers reuniting with Michael McDonald and an afternoon of music by the legendary Buddy Guy, performing for his first time at the festival, as well as WAR, the Turtles, daughter of Doobie Brother Tom Johnston, Lara Johnston, and Scars on 45.

Sunday’s show again featured the reunion of The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald; also sets by Kenny Loggins, Dave Mason, the Turtles, Zen Road Pilots, Tyrone Wells, and the son of Doobie Brother Pat Simmons, Pat Simmons Jr., opened the concert.

This year’s festival was held in memory of Michael Hossack, the longtime drummer of The Doobie Brothers who passed away this year. The festival’s olive grove stage was renamed the Michael J. Hossack Memorial Stage. Performers this year were FAIRHAVEN, Jaime Kyle, Luv Planet and Pat Simmons Jr.

The charity auction and dinner was held Friday at the B.R. Cohn Winery’s 140-year old Olive Grove. The five-course meal was prepared by Sonoma Valley chefs including Jeffrey Lloyd of the Michelin rated Cafe LaHaye; Peter J. Smith of The Lodge at Sonoma; Ari Weiswasser of Glen Ellen Star; Sondra Bernstein and John Toulze of the Girl and the Fig; Carlo Cavallo of Sonoma Meritage and Scott Howard of Scott Howard Events and Brick and Bottle.

The celebrity golf tournament returned again to the famed Sonoma Golf Club on Monday. Celebrity golfers this year included Kenny Gradney of Little Feat and Bill Gibson of Huey Lewis and the News.

Event sponsors and partners included: KFOG 104.5/99.7, 107.7 The Bone, the River 97.7, 96.9 The Eagle, Lagunitas Brewery, Sonoma Index-Tribune and Sonoma Magazine, Fiji water, Napa Register, the Bohemian, Sonoma Chevrolet, The Flamingo Conference and Resort and Grapevine Party Rentals.