A Look Back : Lively Year in the Arts : 1991: Lancaster gets a new concert hall, Grove School of Music is still afloat and a Hollywood cash calf grows up. : MUSIC FOR UNICEF

By STEVE APPLEFORD

Dec. 27, 1991 12 AM PT

Last March, country singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson and guitarist Ernie Isley joined more than 100 local musicians in a daylong marathon concert at The Palomino in North Hollywood to benefit UNICEF. More than $12,000 was raised, said organizer Eddie Tuduri, who is already planning another show for March.

Along with the musical talent, more than a dozen local businesses donated musical equipment and other merchandise for an auction, raffle and door prizes, and The Palomino donated the venue.

“It will be a lot more of the same people next year,” Tuduri said. “It was a 14-hour event last time, and quite honestly it drove me crazy. We won’t be going that long this time.”

The 1992 program will probably be limited to six hours, Tuduri said. Although next year’s lineup is not determined, former Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger, members of Chicago and several other popular acts are expected to participate. Also among the more than 50 musicians playing will be Dallas Hodge and Friends, and Tuduri’s own band, Uncle Fatback.

Last year’s Palomino show was the 10th time in recent years that Tuduri, a drummer, has organized his friends and acquaintances in the local music scene to raise money for UNICEF’s rescue work for children in developing countries. So far, he said, “well over $50,000” has been donated since 1985. “For a grass-roots movement, that’s pretty good.”

The only disappointment with last year’s performance was the no-show of Yes singer Jon Anderson, who had promised to bring along some of his fellow band mates. To date, Anderson is the only performer to miss one of Tuduri’s UNICEF shows after committing himself.

These shows have now expanded into other cities, this year including Chicago, where 20 nightclubs donated part of one night’s proceeds to UNICEF.

“Every time we do another concert, we get interest in other cities,” Tuduri said. “That’s really rewarding.”