I never thought I would make one of these but I guess most people don't.

My father, AKA Kirk Gresser, AKA Kirk Griesser, and most importantly, Brantford Rock Legend Purple Joe, suffered a heart attack minutes after finishing two sets of original songs and favourite covers that have spanned 50 years of obsession which often makes many full-time touring musicians seem like hobbyists. It was a terrible shock to those still there Saturday night, and thanks to several friends who helped keep him alive until paramedics arrived.

All this came only after he was done a performance that had all his friends and fellow musicians over the decades come out to support and celebrate his 70th birthday, dubbed the "50 Year Retrospective." I was on stage with him all night playing bass, my Mom was speaking to friends she hadn't in years as she put out the spread she ordered from Brant Foods and Marie's Pizza West. So many people that know him intimately were there all evening and watched as he fluttered around the room speaking with other musicians and friends from Holmedale. Nothing seemed out of place. He was very happy.

I spent the days leading up to the event worrying that no one would show up. My Dad tends towards extravagantly hopeful when it comes to his music and I have learned to be skeptical when he tells me things like "Stan's Rogers brother Garnet might show up," or "This is it! This one is the hit!" But I have also learned to not dash his hopes.

On some level, really deep down to a point that I can't tell if there's anything there or not, I feel like hope might be all humans have. Purple Joe definitely lives on it; hope that there is always another great thing around the corner. An old coworker of his reached out and said that he really values my father's "love of life". It's hard to see it that way sometimes, being his son and privy to his struggles outside of music, but it is nevertheless the truth. Purple Joe loves life, and despite things always knocking him down there is not a time that I remember feeling like he had lost hope, and I am thankful that I have adopted at least some of his tenacity.

As I age into my mid 30s I have been boggled by Purple Joe's energy. He outlasts me any day of the week. He takes me to concerts of acts I have never heard of and yet judging by his knowledge you'd think they were the biggest band in the world. His ability to pull music facts out of his head confounds all of those around him. I never see him without a book related to it.

I feel long winded and like I am using this as a platform to try and vent my confusions and fears that always surround trying times like these, but I think it's important to tell you why Purple Joe deserves your help. This is not something I would be doing if I was not gravely concerned for his financial well-being when he is out of hospital. The stress of his financial burdens has always weighed heavy on him, even when working as a cab driver for almost 30 years while still trying to make it as a musician. Between him and my mother we have always got by and I have learned that money is not nearly as important as connecting with those who are close to you.

He will not be able to live as frugally and on the edge as he has before this incident. At least not right away. He will need help and support. I am here to give him as much as I can, but without extra financial support I worry about his mental health and ability to cope with recovering. As all those who meet him know, he is not one to sit still and relax.

I am reaching out not only to ask for assistance. I think there is something in me that is saying "you need to tell people about Purple Joe." Because he isn't here to do it right now and long as he is alive and capable I know that he will continue to promote himself as the talented multi-instrumentalist musician and songwriter that he is. So I will be the one to do it when he can't.

I want to tell everyone the whole story. Maybe to convince you to help, maybe to shout into the void of the internet because I don't know what else to do. If you are able, and you know what it is like to be a struggling artist in a world that does not understand and often does not care to try to, then please consider donating.

Any funds raised will be going directly to Purple Joe to assist in his recovery and daily needs until he can be his own best promoter once again.

Thank you to all his friends, family, part, present, and future musicians that have had/will have the privilege of spending time with or playing with my Dad, Purple Joe.