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Robert "Kool" Bell Talks Fundraiser For Veterans, First Responders

PITTSBURGH (NewsRadio 1020 KDKA) - Organizers of the 2015 Celebrity Care Festival have decided to focus their fundraising efforts on groups honoring Veteran Organizations, First Responders, Journey to Normal and the Shryne Organization.

Events at the fundraiser include a silent auction, celebrity guests plus musical entertainment from Billy the Kid and the Regulators opening for Kool & the Gang.

Robert "Kool" Bell stopped by the KDKA Afternoon News broadcast after sound check to talk with Mangino and Shelley about how his music career started in his hometown with some cans of paint.

"Right there in Youngstown, at a school called Immaculate Catholic School, and it depends on how much paint was in the bottom of the can created the tone," Bell said.

Bell, said that he goes by Kool all thanks to a nickname that just stuck with him, but finding the right name for the band was more of a challenge.

"When we met the other guys, one of the first names we called ourselves was the Jazziacs, then it was changed to the Soul Town Band cause we used to back up a group of people called the Soul Town Review," Bell said. "Then, it was changed to Kool & The Flames, and because of James Brown and the Famous Flames, we didn't want to have a problem with the Godfather, so why don't we change the name to 'gang,' sounds funky to me."

Kool & The Gang are still touring and having a blast doing what they love. They especially love when they can combine their passion with helping out a good cause like the 2015 Celebrity Care Fest.

"Matter of fact, we wrote a song coming out soon called 'Hometown Heroes.' We did it over in Milwaukee for the kids who lost their fathers or parents in war," Bell said.

You can hear the whole interview with Robert "Kool" Bell here:

Tune into the KDKA Afternoon News with Robert Mangino and Shelley Duffy weekdays 3-7 p.m.

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