PARADISE — Entertainer Norton Buffalo is no stranger to benefit concerts.
After being diagnosed with cancer in September, Buffalo will be on the receiving end of a benefit show that will feature incredible musicians on Nov. 22 at the Paradise Performing Arts Center at 777 Nunneley Road in Paradise. Performers include Big Mo Band with Bob Littel from Sierra Nevada Brewery, Jonathan Arthur, Lazy Lester, Carlos Reyes & Band, Tom Rigney & Flambeau and Roy Rogers & Delta Rhythm Kings Jam.
“I”ve never been on that side of things before,” he said during a phone call.
Buffalo came home from a concert feeling a little ill. What he thought was pneumonia was diagnosed as cancer, starting in his lower right lung and spreading through his body.
“It”s a nasty little bugger,” he said. He said there is some of it in his brain and it has grown a little. “I”ve been doing some chemo and (doctors) are talking about starting radiation next week, but I”m not sure.”
In the meantime, he is focusing all of his energy toward healing and he wants to let his fans know that he is staying positive and appreciates all the encouragement coming his way.
According to his Web site, norton-buffalo.com, In addition to his work on recordings and on stage with Steve Miller, who spotlights Norton”s playing in his shows, Buffalo has also been highly sought after as a recording artist, having played on more than 180 albums with artists such as Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Loggins, The Doobie Brothers, The Marshall Tucker Band, Johnny Cash, Kate Wolf, Commander Cody And His Lost Planet Airmen, David Grisman, Juice Newton, Laurie Lewis, Elvin Bishop and George Kahumoku Jr. Buffalo has been nominated for two Grammys and was part of the Doobie Brothers Grammy award winning LP “Minute By Minute”. He is featured on Kenny Loggins children”s CD. Buffalo was born in Oakland into a musical family. His father was also a harmonica player and his mother a vocalist in nightclubs in San Francisco in the 1940s. Buffalo”s great-uncle, Herbert Stothart, won an Academy Award for his contribution to the music of “The Wizard of Oz.”
Friends and fans are rallying for Buffalo.
“By nature I”m a positive guy,” he said. “There are certain things that you hear from a doctor that can bring you down, but I have an immense circle of people supporting me,” he said.
He has been praying and receiving love and support from family, friends, and well-wishers. Buffalo explained that because about 80 percent of the notes he plays are played with an inhale, he is unable to play harmonica for any extended amount of time. But he doesn”t want anybody breaking out the shovels yet, he said.
“I”m still floating, just taking it one day at a time,” he said.
Buffalo is still creating and is still writing songs even though, right now, he may not “have the air to stand on stage.”
His primary focus is taking care of his body right now.
“The bottom line is I have no idea what direction it”s going to go,” he said. “There”s a plan for me. I feel like I have more music to give and feel blessed with the gifts that I have been given. I”d love to be here for as long as I can to continue giving my gift. I truly believe I”m going to get through this, but that doesn”t make it not a struggle.”
All services, performances and ammenities were donated to support Buffalo in his time of need. More than 400 tickets have sold to date. The venue seats 762. Word has it that undisclosed special guests will appear. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show begins at 5:50 p.m. For more information call (530) 872-8454.
Editor”s Note: Trevor Warner, MediaNews Group, contributed to this article.
