A burden to Bear

T.T.’s plans shows to benefit sick bartender

PROFILE. When Jeanne Sheehy was diagnosed with cancer in October, her doctor recommended rest and relaxation to counteract her knockout courses of chemotherapy. Her friends and coworkers at T.T. the Bear’s, the rock club where she’s worked as a bartender for 27 years, have a third R in mind: rock ‘n’ roll.

Tonight marks the first of five planned benefit shows for Sheehy aimed at curbing her medical and living costs. The Outlets, The Delusions, Wide Iris and others kick off the series.

“The Outlets were the first band to ever play T.T.’s, and they’re headlining. I think that’s very appropriate,” says Sheehy over a cup of coffee at S&S Deli. “I booked a lot of these bands for the first time, and I’ve been friends with these people for a long time. It’s going to be great to see them but on the other hand, it’s a weird feeling for me.”

As one of the club’s first bookers, Sheehy was a part of coordinating too many benefits to count, she says. “I’m used to other people having benefits and putting them together. I’m not used to being on this side,” she laughs.

The other side is the bar, where she befriended bands and patrons alike, and was always at the ready with a pillow or hot cup of coffee for the bands.

One band member/patron turned employee, Eric Doberman, whose Delusions reunite tonight, says, “Aside from making the best white Russians ever, Jeanne just brings a warmth to the club that’s especially evident when she plays den mother/concierge to road-weary touring bands.”

Brett Milano, a writer for the Phoenix and Herald, has been served beers and smiles by Jeanne since he landed in Boston almost 20 years ago.

“She’s a genuinely sweet person who makes you feel at home. A lot of that cozy living room feel at T.T.’s is due to Jeanne and her personality,” Milano says. “Who else do you know in clubland that comes off friendly and upbeat just about all the time, someone you can actively look forward to running into? Man, I so wish her the best through this thing.”

Getting through this thing for Jeanne has involved some changes — rest and relaxation means her favorite hobby, kayaking, is on the backburner. While she needs income, she works only when she can (hence the benefits). And then there are the dreaded diet changes.

“I crave ice cream now and I never have before,” she beams with that smile everyone will tell you about. (The side effects of chemotherapy preclude eating or holding anything cold.) “Now that’s all I think about!”

“And no more steak and cheese from Hi-Fi,” she says of the pizza place across the street. “Everyone that knows me knows how addicted I was to steak and cheese for years.”

Jeanne Sheehy Benefit
Tonight, 9
T.T. the Bear’s
10 Brookline St., Cambridge
MBTA: Red Line to Central
$10, 18+,617-492-BEAR
www.ttthebears.com