On Sunday, Nov. 8, from 1 to 6 p.m., Circle of Friends for Jan will present a benefit concert for acoustic musician Jan Johansson at the Garner Historic Auditorium, 742 W. Garner Road in Garner. Activities include a special set by Jan and Friends, with legendary bluegrass fiddle player Bobby Hicks; former members of New Vintage, Julie Elkins and Russell Johnson; Barney Rogers; Lindsey Tims and Carolina Junction. Also performing will be bluegrass bands Samantha Casey and the Bluegrass Jam, Hank Bowman & Friends, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, Tims Family Band, and Roby Huffman & the Bluegrass Cutups. Suggested donation of $15 for adults.

Children under 12 free. All proceeds will benefit Jan and Theresa Johansson. All performers and event organizers are donating their time and talents to raise money for and lift the spirits of their friend and musical mentor—Jan Johansson. The proceeds from the benefit concert on November 8th will go directly to address Jan’s medical expenses, lost income and other financial needs of his family.

Jan (pronounced “Yahn”) Johansson is well known throughout North Carolina as an accomplished acoustic musician, producer, and music instructor. For a number of years Jan has suffered from heart-related problems, beginning with a massive heart attack at the young age of 36. In 1999, he underwent triple bypass surgery and in 2005 he had a pacemaker installed.

Unfortunately, Jan’s health problems have continued. In July, Jan spent a week at UNC Hospital undergoing evaluation for a heart transplant and was recently notified that he is now on the list for a heart transplant.

If you are unable to attend the concert, please consider sending a donation to: National Foundation for Transplants 5350 Poplar Dr., Suite 430 Memphis, TN 38119

Your donation will go directly to help Jan and Theresa. Please make checks payable to the National Foundation for Transplants and write “For Jan Johansson” on the memo line. You can also visit their Web site at www.transplants.org for information and updates about Jan and to make a donation online. National Foundation for Transplants is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and your donation is tax deductible. Thank you!

Jan Johansson was born in Skelleftea, Sweden in 1958 and began playing acoustic music at the age of 14. By the time he was 18, Jan had mastered the guitar, fiddle and mandolin. Jan married Theresa Blue of Carthage, N.C. and moved to the United States in 1989 and began working as a music instructor. Jan founded Johansson’s Acoustic Music Studio (JAMS) to provide music instruction for people of all age groups interested in bluegrass and other forms of acoustic music.

Focused on one-on-one personal instruction, JAMS has taught hundreds of acoustic musicians in and around North Carolina in guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass.

Since moving to North Carolina, Jan has played in a number of accomplished bands, including the Pisgah Pickers, the Backsliders, and New Vintage. While performing with New Vintage (1992-1997), the band charted several songs on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 20 list, and won the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music in America (SPBGMA) in 1993, and was nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 1994. Jan has also performed as a studio musician in the US as well as Europe on numerous CD projects, commercial jingles on a variety of instruments. Jan has worked on Lorraine Jordan’s popular Mandolin Rose CD project, as well as The Wells Family album On Destiny’s Road.

Visit the PineCone web site at www.pinecone.org.