All ticket proceeds will benefit Jeff Johnson, a founding Jason and Scorchers member who has also played and recorded with The Tombstones, Guilt, Party of Shine, and De Piratas. He had been temporarily living in Tijuana, Mexico when he suffered the stroke. He was hospitalized in Chula Vista, CA, for seven weeks before being moved to Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center in Knoxville, TN, last month.

“Jeff is making huge strides. Still, for a while, once he leaves rehab, he’ll need round-the-clock help,” explained Shulamith Walker, Johnson’s fiancée. “Therapy will come to our home, along with caregivers. He’s worth every bit. And it takes funds we don’t yet have.”

“Without Jeff’s enthusiasm, dedication, and talents, Jason and The Scorchers would have never happened, period,” said Jason Ringenberg of Jason and The Scorchers. “I pray and believe he will come back and bless the world again with that creativity and spirit.”

Jeff Fest will be held at the Eastside Bowl, which opened in 2021 in a former K-Mart building. The independent venue, which was designed by and for locals, is donating the space and production to support the cause. The capacity of the Eastside Bowl is 750, and organizers encourage people to buy their tickets early because a sellout is expected.

“Jeff Johnson was the power base that propelled teenagers and college kids across the world into a country punk frenzy in the 80s and beyond,” said Whit Hubner of Hub of Love Productions, who is helping to organize the event. “That era’s best are coming out to pay tribute, rock out, and raise money to help Jeff. This is what the rock community does for our brothers and sisters in need. With so many reunions, this will be one hell of a show.”

The complete lineup is:

● Jason and The Scorchers

● Royal Court of China

● Government Cheese

● The Black Keytags

● Friend or Foe

● RAYGUN

● Thunderhawks

● Arrows Aloft

A guitar donated by K Butler Guitars will be raffled off at the benefit. Those who are unable to attend but would like to contribute can do so through the Jeff Johnson GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/f/ywzwj7-jeff-johnson or donate directly to Shulamith Walker’s Venmo at @sugarsugarCS

“I am mesmerized by God’s mercy. The army of Jeff’s friends and fans circling their wagons around Jeff and me is humbling,” Walker said. “The show coming up, I’m just standing watching the love, and it’s like watching a cup overflow. It’s so much kindness.”

The bands talk about Jeff…

Jason and The Scorchers: “Jeff Johnson was the first real Nashville musician to take me seriously that crazy summer of 1981 when I first moved to Music City. I had started Jason and The Nashville Scorchers with a pick-up band. He saw one of our first shows and offered to help me create a real band.’ I was a kid off the farm. He took me under his wing and nurtured the nascent ideas swirling in and around us. He got it when few others did. We were co-conspirators in a cause much bigger than ourselves.

Jeff was always ahead of the curve, a true pioneer. He was the first person I ever saw use classic country fashions like fringe shirts and cowboy boots in a rock ‘n’ roll setting. He single-handedly defined what a modern country rock bass player could do with that instrument. He was and is a great songwriter, musician, and all-around music soul.” – Jason Ringenberg

“I’m doin’ this show because Jeff’s a brother. I love him as he loves me, in spite of all our individual faults. Jeff is now my oldest friendship in my adult life since Perry is gone! We have gone years not speaking or seeing each other, and we always pick right up where we left off!” – Warner Hodges

Royal Court of China: “No matter what kind of music Jeff Johnson has had a hand in over the years, from the Electric Boys to the Nashville Scorchers to Guilt to his most recent project, De Piratas, he has always played it with impeccable punk panache, attitude, and style. Always ahead of the curve, he had a big hand in the birth and development of Music City’s rock scene and still might be the closest Nashville ever got to having its own Keith Richards. We hope everyone will come out to help support our rock n roll brother in his time of need, and we wish Jeff a speedy recovery.” – Joe Blanton and Robert Logue

Government Cheese: “There are people who play rock and roll, and then there are people who ARE rock and roll. Jeff is one of the latter. In The Scorchers, Jason & Warner, with their onstage ferocity, got the lion’s share of the attention, but all the time, there was Jeff, rocking steady and anarchic at the same time. In a lot of ways, he was the soul of the band. He understood.” – Tommy Womack

The Black Keytags: Jeff and I never crossed paths back in the day, but I always admired his creativity and attitude. He was a true rocker to the core; you could tell. It wasn’t until last year that we actually got to hang and play together in the Black Keytags, and from day one, I finally got to witness firsthand the power of Jeff. It is literally a rock and roll superpower that resides within him. I’m sure anyone who has ever played with him has experienced this! We had so much fun, became fast friends, and would talk about bands, guitars, amps, and the guts and glory of this crazy business we call fucking rock and roll… I loved every minute of the time we got to play together, and I’m very grateful to have Jeff in my corner.”– Mike Simmonz

“Jeff and I have been friends since the mid-60s, and he has weaved in and out of my life since elementary school. We’ve played in countless bands starting back in 8th grade, playing at Phrank ’n’ Steins in bands I can’t remember the names of, working on his solo record and Party Of Shine, and last year he played with us in the Black Keytags. Throughout it all, that explosive intensity with swagger was there. Especially in guitar parts that are brilliant and way too loud!” – Mark Pilkinton

Friend or Foe: “Jeff Johnson!!! I looked up the X factor in the dictionary, which said, ‘a quality that you can’t describe that makes someone special.’ That’s close, but no cigar; we’re going to have to add some extra Xs to get into JJ territory. This guy will give anybody a run for their money in the talent or attitude department. I had the privilege of writing and performing music with Jeff for many years, and for that, I’m grateful!” – David Harvard

RAYGUN: “As a high school kid in the early to mid-80s, the Rock Block scene was where I found a home. I was a rocker and a freak, and this was the place where I met my people. The Jason and The Nashville Scorchers shows at Cantrell’s and even the fabled Cat’s West End show were the crowning jewels of experiences for many of us on that day. Jason brought the Country, Warner brought the Rock, Perry was the songs and solid beat, and Jeff was the punk rocker. Always seemed to be telling the world to f*** off while blowing our minds.

When I went off to college and became a talent buyer for various venues, Jason and The Scorchers still ruled the roost. I remember one night when The Georgia Satellites played the Hideaway; Jeff came down for the show, partied, and stayed with us. The night was one of fear and loathing and, from what I can remember, an absolute blast. About six years ago, I put a project together called RAYGUN, whose sole purpose was to pay tribute to the music from these glory days. We put Jason and The Scorchers’ songs in the set right next to Blondie, REM, B-52s, and many other peers from the day. When Jeff put Party of Shine together with David Harvard, it was the perfect opportunity to put a show together. Jeff slayed on guitar, and the POS boys were smoking that night. Jeff is one of a kind, and I am grateful to have been rocked by his performances.” – Whit Hubner

Arrows Aloft: “I’ve only known Jeff for a few years, but I instantly understood why he has made such a huge impact on the music world once I met him. He’s just the real deal, uncompromising, opinionated, and still harboring more than enough angst to set a band, or even a new sub-genre of rock, on fire. I am thrilled to be able to support this Nashville legend in his time of need.” – Brian Bickel

For publicity needs: Jill Kettles/Miss Jill PR – T) 404-213-8542 E) jill@missjillpr.com

Facebook event:https://fb.me/e/1LuarYkiP