Time does fly when you’re having fun. For Randolph’s Second Wind, it has been 35 years since the group first performed at a birthday party in March 1987. In keeping with its spirit of fun and support forthe Randolph community, Second Wind will host a benefit performance and dance for Ukraine, in the Chandler Upper Gallery on Friday, September 30that 7PM.

Second Windstarted out as an acoustic trio consisting of Jim Sardonis, Jim Green, and Eric Sakai. For one of its first gigs at a local restaurant, the band was mistakenly advertised as “Second Wife”—a name that the group briefly adopted many years later (some of the first wives were not amused). After a year of performing acoustically, the band decided to expand, plug in, and rock out at watering holes in and around Randolph, as well as at dances and benefits for Chandler and other worthy causes. Among the musicians added to the line-up were George Rich on drums, Ralph Molinario on percussion, and Ed Burgess on guitar and vocals. Sadly, George Rich passed away in 2021 after many years with the band, but both Molinario and Burgesswill be performing on September 30, along with Second Wind auxiliary member Bob Sparadeoon drumsand a surprise guest or two.

In 2017, Second Wind returned to its acoustic roots, with Sardonis on lead vocals and an ever-expanding array of vintage acoustic guitars; Green on vocals, guitar, dobro, and mandolin; Sakai on electric bass; and Molinarioon cajón. They have especially enjoyed playing for Randolph audiences in cafés and restaurants around town and at a few favorite venues farther afield, like The Den, the tavern hardware store in Cabot. In 2019, they recorded their first album of original songs, Winter Welcome, at Sugarhouse Soundworks in Waitsfield. The album has been well received and gotten air play on local radio stations like WCVR in Randolph and WDEV in Waterbury. It is available for purchase at www.secondwindvt.com, and on most music websites.

Now, after more than three decades of making music together, band members are pursuing other musical interests, as well as the pleasures of their growing extended families, which include nineteen grandchildren and a great-granddaughter. But they plan to rock on at 7PM on September 30th with an acoustic set of original music, and a healthy dose of danceable numbers, with all proceeds to benefit Ukraine.