Most of you already know Joseph “Smokey” Holman. For those few who do not, he is the dynamic, impossibly charismatic front-man for blues-funk band Tweed Funk, whose fans celebrate their music world-wide. Having been diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer in April, Smokey is now set to undergo a stem cell transplant beginning in this month.
The community of musicians will come together to perform a show raising funds to assist with Smokey’s expenses while he undergoes treatments and recovery. In the near term, this will have a devastating effect on his ability to perform, keeping him from doing so for three months, possibly longer. Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system. With successful treatment, Smokey would be able to return to performing the music he loves so much.
Fans not able to attend the upcoming benefit performance, please visit the GoFundMe page that has been set up to help Smokey, and if you want to contribute, please do. According to the latest page update, “… it looks like Smokey will be responsible for around $10k to $15k of his costs that either his Medicare or VA plan won’t cover. We are hoping that you can help spread the word and help us meet the goal.”
