Shop owners in Danville do good and have fun doing it

By John Crane

Published: November 16, 2008

Music lovers trickled into Riverland Music in downtown Danville on Sunday afternoon to listen to the sounds of the Fab Four.

The price of admission: at least one non-perishable food item.

The store’s owners, Norm and Lauren Aquilo, held the event from 2 to 5 p.m. to benefit God’s Storehouse and feature area bands playing the Beatles’ beloved work.

“It’s a tribute to the Beatles, just a showcase for local artists,” Norm Aquilo said at the couple’s store Sunday.

The owners also wanted to attract people downtown on a quiet Sunday, when Main Street’s normal, weekday rhythm of life is absent. And God’s Storehouse needs donations, he said.

The show got off to a late start and by 3 p.m., no bands had shown up. But Aquilo, an experienced musician, performed for more than a dozen people who dropped in. He played the acoustic guitar and sang songs by James Taylor, Jim Croce and, of course, the Beatles, as well as works by other artists. Aquilo engaged the audience with doses of humor and bits of musical knowledge.

Audience members clapped enthusiastically when he finished a song.

Bill Hudson, of Danville, summed up why he attended the benefit.

“To hear some music,” he said. “Opportunities for live music are severely limited, so when there is something, I like to support it.”

• Contact John R. Crane at or (434) 791-7987.