Courtesy Photo The rock band Jackyl is scheduled to perform on Nov. 17 in Alpena at the APlex. Tickets for the event go on sale on Friday.

ALPENA — The platinum-selling rock band Jackyl will use its guitars, drums, amps, and even a chainsaw to help raise money for a dozen local charities in November.

The Alpena VFW Post #2496 is hosting the event and dozens of sponsors have pulled together to make the concert a reality.

Jackyl, which is led by its founder and frontman Jesse James Dupree, will headline the Amplifying Alpena concert on Nov. 17 at the APlex in Alpena.

Tickets go on sale on Friday on the band’s website and on the APlex website. All tickets are general admission and are $30 each. The show is likely to sell out quickly.

For years, fans of rock-and-roll in Northeast Michigan have clamored to have a big-name act perform in Alpena. Jackyl hitting the stage and performing its long list of hits will fulfill those wishes.

It is certain Dupree and his bandmates will leave a mark on the area with their heavy, but melodic, southern rock influenced anthems that are sure to stick in a concert attendee’s head long after the band takes its final bow.

The concert, as explosive and loud as it promises to be, is only a part of Amplifying Alpena. Organizer Don Monti, who was pivotal in making the concert a reality, said using rock-and-roll to help those in need was always a goal. When he pitched the Amplify Alpena idea to Dupree the vocalist agreed and pledged his support.

All ticket proceeds from the show will be distributed to area charities such as the Alpena Veterans Relief Fund, Toys for Kids, Foster Closet, United Way, the Friendship Room, and others.

“The band is very caring and have been working and donating to veterans for years,” Monti said. “When I brought the idea up to Jesse, he said ‘I’m down with it.'”

Jackyl exploded onto the music scene in 1992 when it released its self-titled debut album. The release sold more than one million copies and features a handful of hits that are still popular on rock airwaves today.

Those hit singles include “Down on Me,” “When Will It Rain,” “I Stand Alone,” and “The Lumberjack.”

“The Lumberjack” features Dupree doing a solo with a chainsaw instead of a lead guitar. It is also one of the most popular points during the live show, as Dupree typically carves up a stool on stage after his rendition of the solo.

Monti has seen Jackyl in concert many times. He said he is excited for people in the Alpena area to witness the power and energy the band produces and described the live experience.

“It is calculated chaos and definitely a party band,” he said. “They will get the crowd whipped up and going and they are very interactive with their fans. It is very high energy. For two hours you can just sort of step back from the stress of life and be entertained. You become one of the Jackyl family.”

Monti said he hopes the Jackyl show will help turn Alpena into a steady stop for bands. He said for years, locals have had to drive hours to see a concert; now, he believes Alpena is in a prime position to host more prime-time events and people from other communities can come here.

“I don’t see why not,” Monti said. “There aren’t really any concert venues in northern Michigan any more. Ground Zero in Traverse City closed, but the market is still here, but nobody is offering anything. I think Alpena has great potential to have more shows. We need to get rid of the stigma that a band like Jackyl won’t come here. They will.”

The Michigan band Raggedy Ann will be the opening act. Monti said the band will perform a lot of quality rock and set the stage perfectly for the headliner.

“Raggedy Ann is a great band that I have known for a long time,” he said. “I think people will love them and I’m excited for them to play in Alpena.”