Ailing Blues Guitarist; Donations Needed
Dear Blues Harmonica Friends,
Dave Workman, who's been playing the blues for 57 years--50 years professionally--has recently come down with endocarditis due to a prolapsed valve. He was hospitalized for 5 days and has an IV in his arm to his heart for which he's administering antibiotics at home for the next month. He has possible heart surgery on the horizon if it damages his heart enough. His deductibles and co-pays are $10,000 to date plus he can't work.
Right now the blues community is too poor to even have a benefit. All donations are gratefully accepted, we want to see Dave up and playing at the world famous Saloon in San Francisco soon. You can give a donation by PayPal, credit card, or debit card at a the link on this site:
http://www.facebook.com/DaveWorkmanMedicalExpenseFund?fref=ts
To send a check, message me--Annamarie Jackson-- http://www.facebook.com/annamarie.jackson.5 or the Med Fund page for the address.
Dave has played with Robert Junior Lockwood and Junior Wells. See my facebook page for a great picture of Dave and Junior Wells. Where would we be without our backup? http://www.facebook.com/annamarie.jackson.5
Here's some of Dave's playing to inspire your generosity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrWKw_CgNi0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7jarw-o12E
Update, 11/12/12: Dave goes to the doctor tomorrow to find out if he needs heart surgery. He was able to work a little this past Saturday at the Saloon. It was a delight to see and hear. Thanks to all who have contributed. If you would still like to, he has a ways to go before he reaches the goal of paying the high deductibles and co-pays for his tests and treatments so far. Seeing the reality of full-time professional musicians financial life has been quite an eye opener for me. This is but a small hint of it. They truly deliver for us against all odds. I am very grateful.
LOL!!!! I quizzed Dave a little further about that book on how to play behind a harmonica player. Turns out he meant it figuratively! So I asked him what the book would have had in it if he had written it. He said that it was Lockwood who played with Little Walter and gave them the jazzier things that they liked. More sophisticated playing than country blues guitar, including sliding 6th and 9th chords. Those were the kind of things that LW liked.
Dave had what I hope is his final emergency treatment today. Believe it or not, an infected tooth can wreck havoc with your heart. Dave had to have an infected tooth pulled today, which may have caused the endocarditis in the first place, while marinated in antibiotics. So that was the last whopping charge built up, besides deductibles and copays for his followup visits to his cardiologist and echocardiograms to keep an eye on the functioning of his new and repaired valves.
His heart and sternum are mending nicely and Dave will be playing again at the Saloon in San Francisco for the first time since his heart operation this Saturday, Feb 9. He's been able to practice at home and he's raring and ready to go. He'll be playing with Malik Shabazz, aka "Little Wolf."
If you are in the South Bay area in Northern California on Sunday March 3, please come to the benefit being given for Dave at McGovern's. I'll know the time as we get closer to it. The planning is in the works right now. Many thanks to any who have contributed to his medical fund or sent prayers his way. My worst fears are over. We got Dave still here safe and sound and ready to play up a storm.
Here's an update on Dave's condition:
After the endocarditis treatment, Dave was still left the congenital defect in his heart of a prolapsed heart valve and a calcified aortic valve that was doing the work of two. His doctor insisted that he go to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio which specializes in such complex heart surgery and the frequent complications that accompany it. I accompanied Dave to Cleveland for that surgery, which he had on Dec. 17. Now, 2 1/2 weeks after surgery, Dave is starting to gain a little strength back. He can't pick up the guitar, can barely walk for 5 minutes slowly, but every day he gets better. Today, he as able to play a bit, if I placed the guitar on his lap.
Please contribute to his medical expense fund. I've heard it said, "Why dosen't he just sell some of his fancy equipment?" Well, frankly, I cry inside every time I see Carlos Santana playing with his Dumble amp, the best for guitar in the industry, because Dave had to sell it, otherwise his rent wouldn't be paid. I'm taking care of groceries and incidentals, but he still has to keep up with his ongoing insurance, the cost of the airfare and hotel for Cleveland, and a hefty dental bill he'll have to incur (you would be surprised how much dental inflammation--which could lead to infection--can affect the heart).
I have found out so much more about Dave: He was mentored for some time by Robert Junior Lockwood who played with Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter. RJL wrote a book called, "How to Play behind a Harmonica Player." It must be out of print. If anyone finds a copy, please let me know.
Dave is dreaming up several music ideas that you'll hear more about. I'm excited just listening to them.....and of course I'm getting "harmonica" lessons.....improvisation lessons from a master at it, and being exposed to a lot of music I've never heard.
All the best,
Annamarie