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Community comes together for local musician

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From left are Troy Thein, Scott Fischer, Bruce Bryant, Jeremy Anderson and Mick Thein, members of Uncle Sam's Band. The band will perform at a benefit to help cover Fischer's medical expenses on Dec. 3. (Press photo by Shelia Tomkins)

By Molly Moser

Eleven years ago, beloved Guttenberg musician Scott Fischer was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. He had the cancer removed and continued singing, playing guitar, and performing alongside his bandmates – but on Aug. 8 of this year, Fischer and his family were told the cancer had returned. 

Fischer’s friends and family have organized an evening of entertainment for Saturday, Dec. 3, at Lakeside Ballroom in Guttenberg to help cover his medical expenses. Beginning at 5 p.m., entertainment includes a 50/50 raffle, live auction, entertainment by Triple Threat, Uncle Sam’s Band and ‘Sno Pig, and a meal. 

Fischer has a lifelong passion for music. “This guy was doing Elvis Presley schtick on the stage when he was four years old,” said bandmate, teacher and longtime friend Bruce Bryant. Fischer played the drums in high school, but idolized Eddie Van Halen’s guitar skills. As a sophomore, he joined a band of his elders called Backwater – a band that would eventually be nominated for the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

“What was really different about him from other kids that age is he loved all kinds of music. He was playing old country with old-timers when he was 12 years old – he’s got such an appreciation for all different styles of music,” Bryant told The Press. “Scott did quite a bit of singing harmony in Backwater. He made whatever we were doing that much better, and he was the rock and roll in the band.”

As a senior in high school, Fischer won the John Phillips Sousa Band Award and the Vocal Award. After graduation in 1986 he went on to Northeast Tech Audio Music School in Norfolk, Neb., double majoring in music and audio recording. After completing that program he moved to the twin cities and worked for Schmitt Music. 

Fischer plays keyboard and saxophone, and has opened for Bad Company with local band The Riverdogs. At one time, he toured the Midwest as bass player in an 18-piece jazz band. He’s been part of groups like Pizzin in the Wind, Triple Threat, Random Sample, Rock Anglers, and the Frank Barry Band. In 2009, he joined Uncle Sam’s Band as a guitar player. The five-piece group, which will play at Fischer’s benefit on Dec. 3, includes Mick Thein on bass guitar, Troy Thein on guitar, Jeremy Anderson on drums and Bruce Bryant on vocals. 

“Scott’s helped so many other people with his music. Now it’s time for us to give back to him. He’s played so many firemen’s dances, other charitable events, all the way from weddings to funerals, you name it,” said Bryant. “It’s our turn to help him.”

“Scott is a wonderful son, husband, father and papa. He has such a huge heart and has touched many people's lives by his love and passion for music throughout our community. We ask that we can help Scott receive the necessary treatment so he can continue to sing and do the things he loves,” wrote his daughter, Rochelle. Fischer and his wife, Sarah, are parents to two daughters, Rochelle and Emily, and grandparents to five boys. 

Live entertainment on Dec. 3 begins at 5:30 p.m. with ‘Sno Pig, a blugrass ensemble that includes Michele and Steve Dikkers, Bill George, and Bob and Kristie Black of Iowa City. The live auction will start at 6:30 p.m. and Uncle Sam’s Band will play from 7 p.m. until Triple Threat takes over. Food for the evening includes chili, chicken noodle soup, barbecues, chips, bars and cookies. 

Donations have been collected from local businesses and individuals, and items for the raffle and auction include a ukulele and lesson book from Uncle Ike’s in Dubuque and an acoustic guitar, case and strings from Rondinelli Music, as well as a prime rib dinner for 15, a variety of  handcrafted furniture items, pies, a barnboard quilt, white-tailed deer carved in a moose antler, and more.

Volunteers are needed to help during the event. To help out, contact organizers Bruce Bryant at (563)880-3273, Michelle Fassbinder at (563)252-1148 or mfass@alpinecom.net, LaDean and Carol Fischer, or Jeff and Kari Friedlein at (563)880-4871/4870.

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