Classics IV: The music goes on for benefit at the Beef House

COVINGTON, Ind. – When Dennis Yost suffered a brain injury in a fall down two flights of stairs, family and friends wondered if the voice that led the Classics IV was silenced forever.

Though the backup musicians changed over the years, Yost has always handled the lead vocals. His unique sound brought the group four gold records, with such hits as "Stormy," "Traces (of Love)" and "Spooky," which is featured on the TV show "Six Feet Under."

He was entertaining with the group right up until a serious illness and the fall on July 11, 2006. He now has spent nearly two years, at first in and out of comas, and later at a series of rehabilitation centers working with physical and occupational therapists.

On May 4, he was having "a miraculous day," he said. "I'm looking forward to the big affair."

That will be May 16 when a new Classics IV debuts in concert at 7 p.m. at the Beef House Banquet Center.

Yost and his wife Linda have had a long, hard road working through his brain trauma, but things are looking better.

Yost owns the rights to the name Classics IV and its top hits. He and his wife are collaborating with friends to bring a new Classics IV to the stage. Though Yost is working on singing again, he has approved the creation of the new group.

"I'm starting to sing, but glad to have the new Classics IV singing. We'll march on from there," Yost said.

For his part, Tom Garrett of Bloomington, who will be singing Yost's vocals, is excited to bring the inaugural performance of this group to the stage.

"He owns the trademark and has me caring for the Classics IV. He has licensed me to perform in his place," Garret said.

The "evolution" of the group will appear at 7 p.m. (CDT) May 16 at the Beef House Banquet Center, Interstate 74 and Indiana 63, near Covington. The appearance is a concert-only event. Tickets are $15 per person.

Yost and his wife are planning to be on hand. So far, they have heard only tapes of the group's rehearsals.

"He told me the group is awesome," Linda Yost said of her husband. "The tapes made him cry. We're both looking forward to this concert more than anything."

As the group begins to tour, a portion of the proceeds will help with Yost's medical bills, and the couple plans to kick off a new foundation – Awakening: The Dennis Yost Brain Trauma Foundation.

"You'd be surprised," Linda Yost said. "There's very little help for people with brain trauma. We want to create a foundation that can increase awareness and encourage and support research. We believe this is what we are supposed to do."

Garrett has become very close with the couple and has seen the improvement in Yost.

"It's amazing, though, how instantly devastating this type of injury can be to both the individual and the family," he said.

Garrett met the couple through mutual friends and the friendship eventually has become a business partnership as well.

"I'm not Dennis," Garrett said. "Our vocal style is similar. (The songs) sound like they're supposed to, but I'm not a mimic, nor would I try to be."

Garrett said the Yosts don't want anyone's pity, but "what made me want to make this work was when I was sitting with him at the rehabilitation center, and I was thinking, 'This guy sold millions of records, and here he is unable to interact. How is this possible? After I collected myself, I got excited about fronting this band."

Garrett is also excited about the possibility of Yost attending the concert.

"Knowing he is there with us is all the justification I need. We'll be there with his approval," he explained. "We want the music to go on. He's my hero. Sure, this is a great opportunity for Tom Garrett, but it's a great opportunity to give back to a wonderful guy as well."

Tickets are available at the Beef House, Interstate 74 and Indiana 63, near Covington; MB Music and Sound, 35 N. Vermilion St., Danville; and WITY studios, 1 Hegeler Lane, Danville.

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