Friends, fans gather in Plains Twp. to honor life of late musician Janet Rains

PLAINS TWP. — Friends and fans of Janet Rains, known as Jane Train, packed into Old Tyme Charley’s Restaurant & Pub on Sunday evening to share memories and celebrate the life of the late musician.

Rains, along with Jason McCloe, of Wilkes-Barre, and Rob Dressler (Plains Township) were involved in a violent July 14 crash in Florida, when the RV of New York-based rock band Adrenaline Mob, which Rains managed, was struck by a tractor trailer while pulled over on Interstate 75 south of Gainesville.

Rains, a Pittston native who performed in the 1980s cover band M80, died Aug. 23 from injuries suffered in the crash. She was 48.

Tracey Turissini, Chris Belles, Vicki Guiliano, Brian McDonald and McCloe helped organize Sunday’s event.

Belles said that after leaving Rains’ hospital room in Florida, the group decided an event such as Sunday’s is what the musician would have wanted, so they started planning it.

McDonald, who owns Old Tyme Charley’s, offered his establishment to host the celebration.

Said Belles: “This is such a close-knit community of friends.”

McCloe said the event was a “celebration of life” in which those who knew Rains could share a moment of positivity. Inside the bar, friends of Rains got together on stage and played music, while others sat around telling stories about the late musician.

“She loved everyone and she judged no one,” Guiliano said.

Turissini knew Rains for nearly six years and called her a “guiding light.”

“She was like a sister to me,” Turissini said.

Belles said Rains was able to light up a room and was a positive influence on those around her.

“Janet had that power,” he said. “She’s gone but not forgotten.”

Even though friends and fans of Rains are still mourning the musician’s death, McCloe said Rains would want people to remain positive.

“She’d be mad if we were crying right now,” McCloe said.

McCloe said Rains would be remembered for her generosity and all-around positive attitude.

“She was the type of girl that if she had a dollar in her pocket and I needed two, she’d get me two,” he said. “That’s the way she was.”

Guiliano said it meant a lot to have the support of the community.

“It’s important for us to be together and to show how much we love her,” she said.

Janet Rains

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_web1_Jane-Trane-5-1.jpg.optimal.jpgJanet Rains

Musician Rob Brown hugs Martha Zabriski of Plains during a benefit celebrating the life of their friend Janet Rains. (
Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_ttl091117trainbenefit-5.jpg.optimal.jpgMusician Rob Brown hugs Martha Zabriski of Plains during a benefit celebrating the life of their friend Janet Rains. (
Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)

Mary Maz of Doylestown, Alyssa Fusaro of Luzerne and Sue Dwinchick of Dallas toast to Janet Rains’ life during a celebration in Plains Township on Sunday night. (Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_ttl091117trainmemorial-2.jpg.optimal.jpgMary Maz of Doylestown, Alyssa Fusaro of Luzerne and Sue Dwinchick of Dallas toast to Janet Rains’ life during a celebration in Plains Township on Sunday night. (Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)

Aaron Fink and Ed Randazzo sing ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For" by U2 during a celebration of Janet Rains’ life at Old Tyme Charley’s in Plains Township on Sunday night. Rains died Aug. 23 from injuries suffered during a crash in Florida in July. She was 48. (Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/web1_ttl091117trainmemorial-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAaron Fink and Ed Randazzo sing ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For" by U2 during a celebration of Janet Rains’ life at Old Tyme Charley’s in Plains Township on Sunday night. Rains died Aug. 23 from injuries suffered during a crash in Florida in July. She was 48. (Amanda Hrycyna | For Times Leader)