Joe Swank surgery and recovery fund.

Our sweet music champion, raccoon, possum & puppy papa, and dear, joyful friend Joe Swank needs our help this holiday season.

Joe has been dealing with a major hernia for some time, and has finally been cleared for a surgery that will bring him much needed relief—and much un-needed out of pocket expense and downtime from his work for recovery. Joe has insurance through the ACA (Thanks Obama!) but the deductible is high and so are the premiums, as is the case for many if not most self-employed people.

North Carolina folks will remember Joe from his days playing music (Zen Pirates, anyone?), from his cheerful beer slinging and witty charm behind the bars of Sadlack’s, Humble Pie & The Cave, from his days in radio promotion at YepRoc, from his radio stylings on the Y’allternative show, and from all the times he’s put his big arms around all of us because he’s a kind, funny, magnanimous dear who anyone would be fortunate to know and/or call friend.

Joe is in Carbondale, IL, these days (which is where I met him when his band played with Whiskeytown sometime in the Dark Ages). Skillet and I will never forget his greeting & the way he hosted us, drove us around town in an enormous old Suburban, and made us feel immediately at home with him in his music scene. That’s his gift.

His surgery happens on December 15th. Help me in wishing him well, and please give what you can to allow him to relax about the crap ol’ money part and heal up so he can get back to being wonderful & working hard for the musics like he always does.

Hearts, Caitlin