Benefit planned for musician who lost equipment in fire at Dartmouth pub

Jackie Smith says the fire that destroyed his audio and video equipment is just the latest in a string of bad luck and family tragedy

Jackie Smith is well known across Nova Scotia as a rock musician and a karaoke artist, and is also known as someone who has helped countless people in need by organizing benefit concerts.

Now, Smith is the one who needs help after fire destroyed the equipment he uses for his business.

The items – about $100,000 in worth of audio and video equipment – had been set up at Neighbours Pub in Dartmouth, N.S. when a fire broke out inside the building early Friday morning.

He says a few items might be restored, but most are beyond repair.

Smith has spent three decades making music – including his time as a member of the popular band, Razorboy – and doing what he calls ‘rock star karaoke.’

He says an upcoming show at the pub was supposed to be part of a comeback and that the fire is just the latest in a string of bad luck and family tragedy.

“My sister-in-law passed away and now my brother has lung cancer, and there’s no money, no work.”

Fire inspectors say the blaze was an accident.

“There were combustible materials left underneath a heat lamp unattended in the kitchen area, which caused the fire,” says Phil McNulty, executive officer of Halifax Fire.

While the future of the family-owned pub depends on an insurance settlement, the future of Smith’s business will depend on the goodwill of others.

“He welcomed me and helped me learn the ropes and all that stuff,” says musician Dave Smith. “So I said…we gotta give back.”

About 200 people plan to attend a fundraiser for Smith at the Oasis Bar in Halifax later this month.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw