Jammin’ for Junior benefits local musician in need
Jammin’ for Junior, a concert to benefit local musician Junior Wilson, was held Nov. 10 at Nassau Valley Vineyards. Friends, family and music lovers of all ages came together to raise funds for the local musician and luthier.
In January, Wilson fell in his home and suffered severe head trauma. He was hospitalized for several months and surgery was necessary. He is now on the road to healing at home, yet he is far from getting back to his normal daily life. He continues to receive a host of treatments and therapy. This has had a devastating financial impact for Wilson and his wife Bonnie, not to mention the emotional strain. Like most working musicians, they have very limited resources and insurance does not cover everything.
“When Al and I opened Frantic Frets in 2018, we wanted to continue our tradition of being a part of the community and helping others,” said Mary Knight of Frantic Frets. “In 2022, Frantic Music Project was founded, and to date, with the support of an incredibly generous community that supports live music, it has facilitated raising and distributing over $100,000 for a number of local artists. When we heard about what happened to Junior, we knew we needed to get involved.”
“Over 350 friends and followers of Junior and his percussionist Chatty rallied by donating items or bidding on raffles and auctions, all to raise money to help offset the unexpected costs Junior and Bonnie are faced with after his devastating injury,” said Knight. “It was an honor to meet Junior and Bonnie, and to be able to help, in a small way; to bring friends and family together in one location to celebrate Junior – a true Delmarva music legend. The love for this man is so evident. We literally had to turn people away, as we reached capacity days before the event.”
Local groups Lower Case Blues, Earth Jam and The Funsters donated their time and talent in honor of their friend. Dave Jarrell donated his sound engineering skills for the event.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the turnout for Junior,” said Nassau Valley Vineyards owner Peggy Raley-Ward. “He has been a major musical force in Delaware for a long time. Whether front and center in a performance capacity or quietly as theluthier that has kept other musicians sounding good, Junior’s work factors into some of the favorite memories people have across of community. It was an honor for Nassau Valley Vineyards to host this event. Junior and Chatty are [Nassau Valley Vineyards] family. Kudos to Mary and Al Knight of Frantic Frets and Frantic Music Project for putting together this spectacular event and for their ongoing support for musicians in need.”
The celebration featured food catered by Bethany Blues and libations from Beach Time Distilling, Dog Pirate Beer Company and Nassau Valley Vineyards.
Tax-deductible donations may be made through the end of November at www.franticmusic.org.jammin-for-junior.
