Help Jon Lucas Rebuild His Business After Tornado

Jon Lucas, aka DJ Smoke, a well-known drummer and DJ in the Nashville music scene, was playing a gig at his local church -- the Community Baptist Church on Dickerson Pike in Nashville -- Saturday December 9th when the tornado struck and the ceiling of the church caved in. Amid the chaos and confusion, he was lucky to find a way out of the church as it quickly crumbled to the ground. Most people would have ran further to safety, but Jon, a single dad who who plays in several bands around Nashville -- from churches to large stages -- recalled that many elderly folks and babies were still in that church. So, he turned around and made several trips back into the church to usher people to safety. After he cleared many people out of the rubble, the reality of the situation set in for him: he was lucky to be alive. Unfortunately, the tools for his business were crushed to pieces -- both his drum set and his DJ rig. These are crucial pieces of equipment for Jon to do the artistic work he does around Nashville -- regularly DJing for kids, families, and tourists at the National Museum of African American Music, contributing musically at his home church, and bringing his unique musicality to various projects around town. Jon's livelihood, and how he feeds his son, is reliant on these tools and he is $15,000 away from replacing everything in order to work again during his busiest time of year.

Local musicians like Jon, who have been contributing to the scene for many years are a crucial element of what keeps Nashville musically relevant. All American music genres are rooted in Black music, and Jon's musicality -- both on the drums and as a DJ -- are reflective of those roots and their important place in our city's growing musical landscape. The rig that Jon built for himself took years to build and seconds for the tornado to destroy. Help Jon get his rig back and better than ever so he can get back to the business of sharing his music for the benefit of all.