Glen Tapia on Fb, 7/06/15: Just talked to JD. He is still struggling with nutrition and all that goes along with that and his illness. Right now he’s too weak to start his Chemo but they have him on a plan to get stronger and to retain some nutrients. His outlook and attitude is positive despite the challenges he has been facing. But he’s still swinging hard at this fight against Cancer.
He is still leaving space in his mind for friendly humor and musical chats. It was nice to joke around with him and tell him about our show this last weekend.
Please keep your (((((positive))))) going for brother JD.
JD, we love and miss you, man. Keep swinging and kicking. You’re doing the right thing, brother.
Back-Story:
From Annette Cannon, Fb, 6/30/15: Our Music Brother, JD Kelley has just been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and is hospitalized. Please pray for him.
Eef Guitar: Bad news friends. JD was admitted to the hospital yesterday and has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He is at the Good Samaritan in Lafayette, Room 5208. I’m gonna sit down on a rock and cry. Each and everyone of you, thank you so much, your love and support is heartwarming and helpful. I took a few hours for myself to process the news, then went to see Jimmy & Monica, and I just came back from seeing JD. I only stayed for a little bit, he was kinda looptie-doop due to the meds. He has surgery [Wednesday, July 1st ] to detour the blockage in his colon. He said he does not want to be Jimmy’s copycat. Oh, Lawd, thanks for humor. Please keep JD’s partner Rita in your thoughts, too. Cheers everybody, thanks again, be safe, hug the ones you love.
Erika Brown: I have no words. JD has been such a big part of me becoming who I am. My heart hurts. I will go see him. Sending you much, much love, Eef.
Michael Hossler: Pardon my language, but fuck you, cancer! Just fuck you!!!
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Benefit for Keyboardist Jim Ayers – July 19th – Rusty Bucket
Jim has been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer and the bills are rolling in. Your help is truly needed. A medical fund has been set up on Go Fund Me by Monica Brown. Donate anything you can.
http://www.gofundme.com/jimmyayersmedfund
A live Fund Raiser has been set as well.
When: Sunday, July 19th
Where: Rusty Bucket Bar & Grill, 3355 South Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood – 303-980-6200
(That’s just two blocks North of Hampden Ave (285) and Wadsworth Blvd.)
Time: T/B/D
Cost: Huge donation to help Jim out!
Glenn Tapia, bassist for Eef & the Blues Express, is collecting donated goods and services for auction and raffle at the fundraiser. If you or anyone you know can donate any gift cards, merchandise, services, or ANYTHING please contact Glenn at 303-638-8144 or via email at groovethemusic@gmail.com
The fundraiser will offer performances by many local blues artists in the community. The specific lineup and details will be announced soon. Plan for an afternoon full of music and community support for Jimmy Ayers. 100% of all proceeds will be donated to Jimmy and his family to help with his enormous medical costs that come with his diagnosis.
From Eef Guitar: As many of you know by now, our dear friend and keyboardist Jimmy Ayers has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer and is facing a challenging battle. To support him and help relieve the financial stress we are organizing a fundraiser on the afternoon of Sunday, July 19th at the Rusty Bucket. Many musicians have already volunteered to play, including Scotty, Brian & Pete, Erik Boa, Burnt Lips, Randall, Rachel Jane, Jack Hadley, and of course the Blues Express. If you would like to play at this event, please contact me and we will try to get you in. The CBS and more people have offered to help and we are working out the event details as we speak. Please – for now – mark your calendars: July 19, afternoon, Rusty Bucket, fundraiser for Jimmy. Stay tuned. Thanks all, much love
https://www.facebook.com/eef.guitaar?fref=ts
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Memorial Service for Rodney Smith and Go Fund Me Account Set Up for His Family
We are touched and grateful beyond words for the outpouring of support and generosity to lay our dear friend Rodney, to rest and to provide something for his children when they are older.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Jeff, Kelly, Chris, Lisa, John and Diane
On July 10, 2015 our dear friend, Rodney Smith, passed away unexpectedly. He leaves behind two children, Aaron 12 and Alannah 5. Rodney’s close relatives preceded him in death and there is no insurance. So his FAMILY of FRIENDS are banding together to raise money for his final expenses. Anything above that will go into a trust fund that is being established for each of his children. Rodney was a revered guitarist in Denver for many years and in bands from Arch Angel to Xposition to Xtra Xtra and more – he read music and played the piano also. He loved fishing, bike riding and spending time with his children. He worked as a plumber recently and previously as an electrician. Rodney was known by many and was a genuinely good-hearted man who will be greatly missed by those who loved and knew him.
He periodically played in the worship band at Riverside and worked as a counselor for the Team Challenge, a Christian based rehab center. We, his family of friends, are VERY grateful for any help you can provide to help with final expenses and for his children. Thank you!!
http://www.gofundme.com/z6wbbw
Please join us as we pay our final respects to our beloved friend, Rodney Paul Smith, on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Rodney was born on June 22, 1967 and went to be with the Lord on July 10, 2015; he was 48 years old. Services will be held in the Chapel of Riverside Church located at 2401 Alcott Street, Denver, Colorado 80211. Services will be officiated by Pastor Tony Lambert. Please plan to come a bit early as we would be immensely grateful if you can take a few moments to write out a card about a lovely and happy memory you have of Rodney for the memory box we will give to his children – Alannah who is 5, and Aaron who is 12. A table will be at the entrance to the Chapel with the cards and memory box. Directly following the service, we will all gather outside of the chapel for a balloon ceremony for his children to send messages to heaven for their daddy. A reception will follow the service as well, but those arrangements are still in final preparation. We will update you once we have all the details confirmed within the next day or so. Thank you all again so much for the wonderful outpouring of love and support these past few days during this difficult time.
Jeff, Kelly, John, Diane, Chris, Lisa, Joey and Jamie
As promised, here are the details of the reception following services for our dear friend, Rodney Smith. Please join us Saturday, July 18, 2015 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the VFW, 12017 Quivas Street, Thornton, CO 80260. We want this evening to be a special occasion to celebrate our friend, share memories, laugh and cry, and reminisce about the many stories we all have to share. The VFW has a cash bar and we do ask that everyone bring a side dish as it will be a potluck type set-up for food. We do plan on doing some low key acoustic jams as well – there is a stage but no equipment or setup for anything big so musicians can feel free to bring their simple gear that doesn’t require PA and such if they so desire. It would mean the world to Rodney, his friends and family for you all to join us there following his services. Thank you so you all again so much for the wonderful, warm and lovely outpouring of love, support and generosity.
We would like to add a side note to SAVE THE DATE for a special music benefit and tribute we will hold on August 9th at Riffs, a Rock and Roll Bar at 10151 West 26th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado from 2 to 7:00 p.m. with Scotty Brown and friends. More details forthcoming soon. We will continue the GoFundMe as well until after August 9th to cover final expenses with the remaining amount raised to be put in Trust for Rodney’s children, Alannah and Aaron.