Sat. Jan. 9

 The “Hot Stove Cool Music” charity fundraiser stages its 10th annual club show on Saturday Jan. 9, at the House of Blues, a switch from its usual haunt, the Paradise. It’s the music (mostly) and, yes, chat where Tinted Windows (Adam Schlesinger, James Iah, Bun E. Carlos and Taylor Hanson), Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom, Kay Hanley, the Low Anthem, State Radio, The Dropkick Murphys Ken Casey, baseball guru Peter Gammons, (and no doubt others) take the stage, with emcee actor/comedian Mike O’Malley. As for singing Sox? None that we know of, but ex-Sox, now Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo - and Eddie Vedder soundalike - is back this year, singing early '90s style grunge songs. Some years, there are some players in attendance.

We talked with Gammons  about Hot Stove. And why it’s been so successful over the years, packing the ‘dise and raising several million for 8-10 local children’s charities under Theo and Paul Epstein’s Foundation to Named Later umbrella.

 “I think its’ the makeup of the city,” says Gammons. “A little bit of baseball and a little bit of rock ‘n’ roll and combining the two reflects the passion of the city. We’re just trying to help out people in need, dong what government can’t do. We’re trying to bring out the best, like this election brought out the best in people, in a much smaller way.”

The club show remains primarily local and draws from a familiar cast of characters – where the larger summer events that Live Nation produces has brought in John Legend, George Thorogood and Buddy Guy. Gammons calls the locals “the backbone of this and made it what it is.” As for his own rockin’ ambitions, Gammons says, “It’s really fun to turn one hobby, something someone loves, into something with purpose.” He was the co-organizer of “Hot Stove” way back, has always played and released a roots-rock CD, “Never Slow Down, Never Grow Old.” (Proceeds from that go to the Foundation, too.)  “I don’t pretend we’re changing the world, but we’re doing something.” In this dire economic climate and charity-glutted world, Gammons credits the “the folks at the Foundation for doing a phenomenal job of getting sponsors, I’ve been pleasantly surprised from the private sector, they’re still really helping.” Tickets: $40

Just talk, no music: The Roundtable discussion Saturday (Jan. 9) from 2-4 at Fenway Park's State Street Pavilion: Who's involved? Boston Red Sox g.m. Theo Epstein, ESPN's Gammons, Red Sox manager Terry Francona, Tampa Bay Rays First Baseman Carlos Pena, (the local boy made good out of town) New York Mets General Manager Omar Minaya, Arroyo and those ubiquitous "special guests" will participate. It's the fifth time this event has been held. The idea is for high profile baseball executives, journalists and players to participate in a lively, candid forum open to all fans and will discuss today's red hot topics in Major League Baseball. Hot Stove Cool Music co-founder and former Boston Herald sports writer Jeff Horrigan will serve as moderator and take questions from the audience. Tickets for the Roundtable are $100.  
 
"I'm thrilled with this year's Roundtable panel, which is one of our strongest lineups of talent to date," said Gammons. "It's a great pleasure to participate and interact with some of the greatest minds and players in the world of baseball. I'm grateful for our Roundtable participants and for our audience, because all efforts benefit a great cause, at-risk youth in Boston."  
 

15 Lansdowne St, 866-448-7849 www.hotstovecoolmusic.org