Jeff Johnson

I’m Shulamith Walker and our friend Catherine Davis helped us, by setting up this fund raiser so we may take excellent care of Jeff Johnson, who so many of us love. Jeff suffered a stroke September 19th and is recovering in Sharp Hospital, in San Diego. We are currently in the MICU, with so many devoted professionals. We are so grateful. God has given Jeff such great care. As those who love Jeff Johnson may know he’s a bull of a man, in the best of ways. He has fire in his belly. He is fiercely loyal. He loves to tell the truth. He shows up on time. He expects us all to show up on time. He has mercy and he goes the extra mile or a hundred. He’s an extravagant tipper, because he cares deeply about people, whether they bring him waffles and coffee or he’s known them for ages. He loves in a way that makes a person feel stronger. He deeply cares about his sobriety and helping others with theirs. He’s earnest and he tries harder than anyone I know. Right now he’s fighting and trying. He wants to get up and go; leave the hospital. He can’t use his right side yet, so he gets fired up and tries to force it to work. He wants coffee and a lot and with heavy cream and not with a thickener; hospital orders. He’s serious about his coffee, but as of today he can’t have any. He’s figuring out words. He’s got “thank you” down and will take the hand of a nurse and with the prettiest blue eyes so humbly look in theirs and say, “thank you.” He’s not at all down with his blood being taken. He obliges, but he’s not happy about it. He likes a phone call. He knows what’s going on, but can’t say all the eloquent things he wants to say. Still, he’s funny and charming and incredibly loveable. And he’s so strong. He’s still the man and still an anchor. Only God can design such a man. I’m so grateful for him, as I know so many of you truly are. We are deeply grateful for your prayers for him, for your calls, for your notes and letters. This is the beginning and you all have poured out so much love. Thank you. We love you. Here are some things about Jeff, if you don’t know him: He’s a legendary bass player and guitar player. He would not brag like this to the world.  Jeff is a founding member of “Jason and the Scorchers.” Steven Tyler of “Aerosmith” said the Scorchers may be the most important rock band of all time. They are credited with beginning the genre of “Americana.” Jeff was in “The Tombstones,” “Party of Shine,” and “de Piratas,” (with fellow Scorcher Warner Hodges and their friend and great musician Jonathan Bright and “Cheap Trick” bassist Tom Peterson played on their last album. ) Jeff is also a great photographer producing compilations from Brazil and Tijuana. He’s worked on films, such as the first two “Pirates of the Caribbean” and his own short films like “Baixa Alta,” filmed in Brazil. Jeff has toured with Joe Cocker, R.E.M., Dwight Yoakam and Stevie Ray Vaughan. He’s recorded with Dylan and Emmy Lou Harris….. and Jeff was inducted in to the Music Hall of Fame with “Jason and the Scorchers.” Yesterday, a young woman played her grandfather’s, Carlos Vasquez, jazz music for Jeff. It was stunning and complex. When she left, after only hearing a song once, Jeff sang a portion back…..perfectly. I don’t know how he does it. It’s a beautiful gift. He’s a gift. He’s a true artist. But even more than this gift, is that he thinks hard about his friends and even strangers and cares about them and is moved by them. Let’s get him better. Let’s keep him well! There will be a lot of needs going forward. We are coming to understand where we are in this first wave we are calling “leaving the ICU.” We know we will need a lot of support and a strong community. We know he has so much community. You’ve given him so much love and we can’t say thank you enough. Jeff is still in the MICU. Shulamith is allowed to stay with him through the day and night. They are working on stabilizing his blood pressure and bringing down the swelling in his brain from where they removed a large blood clot from the stroke. We are looking at rehabilitation after leaving the hospital and relocation. Our treatment options seem better for Jeff if we remain in San Diego for rehab, once he is allowed to leave the hospital. The hospital strongly recommends music therapy because he is responding so strongly to music. He needs devices to accommodate that and support to make it possible for the ongoing therapy. Shulamith and Jeff need to stay in San Diego, maybe as long as one year. His care support is already rooting and expanding here, through the direction of his medical team at Sharp Medical Center, Chula Vista. These care givers have been so full of wisdom and compassion. They are amazing strong and kind. From basic daily expenses, to what’s being projected for this critical year of recovery the needs are great, but we truly believe God will and is providing. We don’t know what the future looks like financially, so we’re just trying to understand where we can see right now. Thank you for loving Jeff through the years and right now and still! We love you. We need you and ask you to please rally with Jeff and, if you can, share this. Thank you, everyone. Thank you for all of your prayers and kindness.