"Do Something" a Benefit Concert for Jesse Lopez

There’s this guy. Jesse Lopez. He’s a giver - His time. His humor. His Energy. His self. If you’ve ever met him – you remember him. Jesse is quick with a smile and to engage you in humorous banter. Any exchange can bring out a classic line from Three Stooges, Seinfeld or any number of 70’s/80’s movies. He is charming, charismatic and very engaging. And he is authentic. When he asks you how you are – he wants to know. If you’re not doing well, he wants to help.

Born in Havana Cuba -he came to the States when he was 5 with his older brother and his parents seeking a better life away from the Castro regime. They settled in Hazelwood. It wasn’t long before Jesse found friends and his passions in music and sports.

Jesse spent 35 years as a Personal Trainer, 25 of them as one of the premier trainers at the Missouri Athletic Club. As a musician, he has spent more than fifty years playing music in bands, duos and solo. He even opened for Michael McDonald at a local concert in the ‘80’s.

Eight years ago, Jesse was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease – at just 56 - at the height of his careers. At first just a tremor in his little finger, gradually taking over his complete right side with tremors and dyskinesia. Over the past 2 years, the disease has progressed, forcing him into retirement from training and most recently his music.

In 2018, Jesse was first in line to volunteer at the National Blues Museum when it opened in St. Louis. He hadn’t played guitar much in two years because of tremors from Parkinson’s Disease. But fate would intervene, he would meet a blind artist whose work was being showcased at the opening of the museum, Sharon McConnell Dickerson and her Faces of the Blues- Life Masks exhibit. He emailed her and told her if a seeing impaired person could create such beautiful art, he could create music with Parkinson’s. She invited him and his guitar to her house in the Delta. He played on her porch with Mark “Muleman” Massey and Johnny Riley- the same porch where David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Hubert Sumlin, Otha Turner, and Bobby Rush played. The seed was planted.

By the time he returned home to St. Louis, he had an idea and presented it to NBM Director, Dion Brown, who said "Take it and run!".

The Thursday evening “Sittin’ on the Porch” jam was born. At first, it was small - more musicians on stage than in the audience. It grew. And grew. It continues to grow. Diverse and inclusive, it’s a place where everyone can come and play or listen. At the heart of it all Jesse Lopez. Spontaneous and unrehearsed - a place for everyone; a hub for people of all ages, colors, genders, identities and experiences: a community. You never who might show up – from local artists like Joe Metzka, David Dee, Matt “The Rattlesnake” Lesch or England native Ben Gillion to national artists like Mark “Muleman” Massey, Steve Scorfina or Jimmie Bones. Jesse and the Sittin’ on the Porch Jam have brought a community together; created alliances, introductions that created new bands and a family. Whether from the sidelines or on stage, he orchestrated the Jam with his typical style and humor. His catch phrase as organized chaos would ensue, “Do something!”. When something touched his heart (the one he wears on his sleeve) he unabashedly cried. It’s Jesse natural gift for bringing people together and planting seeds that grow into vibrant and active community.

The life expectancy of someone with Parkinson’s Disease is only 1-2 years shorter than the average life span. To a Parkinson’s patient, it’s an eternity… of shaking, dyskinesia, pain and loss of self. There is no cure. There is a surgical procedure- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)- that may ease some of the symptoms and give some relief. Right now, it’s one of the only options available in the US that may offer a PD patient some relief and some sense of normality – it’s Jesse’s only option.

Insurance may cover 80% of the procedure. The estimated cost of the surgery is $65-100K. Even with insurance, bills can quickly add up and deplete a lifetime of savings that was put away to cover the golden years.

Some of his musical family wanted to do something for him. “It’s for Jesse? Count me in!” The musicians whose lives he’s touched are graciously and lovingly giving their time to the “Do Something!” a Benefit Fundraiser for Jesse Lopez.

Sunday, April 24, 2022, a cavalcade of bands and musicians will take to the stage at their second home, the Legend Room at the National Blues Museum. The primary objective isn’t monetary as much as it is a coming together of community to celebrate this guy – you know the one I mentioned… Jesse Lopez.