All-day Live Music Event to Benefit Local Musician and Family

SARASOTA — This Sunday, May 19, Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse will host an all-day live music event for a good cause. The event will feature an all-star local band line-up to benefit a beloved local musician and his wife.

Southwest Florida’s best musicians are coming together with one of the area’s favorite live music venues and barbeque joints to support local drumming legend Pat McDonald and his family.

The eight-hour event will feature musical performances by the Al Fuller Trio, The Kara Nally Band, Kettle of Fish, Dirty Byrd, among many others. There will also be special guest performances by Damon Fowler, Twinkle, and more. 

A 20-year member of the Charlie Daniels Band and drummer for local bands Kettle of Fish and the Monsoons, McDonald suffered a stroke in 2022. Working through months of recovery, McDonald was able to return to his seat on stage behind his drum kit.

Though McDonald has returned to performing, he’s only been able to do so with the assistance of his wife, Jennifer. Due to irreversible vision loss sustained from the stroke, Jennifer drives McDonald to his gigs and has even taken on the role of “drum technician”—setting up and breaking down his gear each show.

In addition to supporting her husband’s recovery and passion for music, Jennifer works full-time in healthcare as a home health nurse and she and McDonald are parents to four children.

Unfortunately, the woman who cares for so many is now facing her own health recovery following a recent breast cancer diagnosis with a positive test for the HER2 protein.  The protein, identified in approximately 15-20% of breast tumors, signifies a more aggressive form of cancer with a high risk of metastasizing  (spreading). 

Jennifer's treatment is anticipated to take two years to complete and will include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, antibody infusions, and recovery time throughout each stage of treatment. Hoping to help lift some of the emotional and financial weight of the diagnosis and treatment plan, the local music community is coming together with Stottlemyer's Smokehouse to host the "party of the decade." 

When: Sunday, May 19 from 12-8 p.m.
Where: Stottlemyer’s Smokehouse, 19 East Road, Sarasota, FL.

Schedule of Performances
(times may vary)
Beginning at noon: The Al Fuller Trio
1:00 pm: Bain Beakley & Friends
2:00 pm: The Kara Nally Band
3:00 pm: RJ Howson, Mike Kach & Friends
4:00 pm: The Monsoons
5:00 pm: Dirty Byrd
6:30 pm: Kettle of Fish
- w/ special guest appearances by Damon Fowler, James Albritton, Twinkle, Steve Camilleri, Chris Anderson,  and others.

Speaking to TBT by phone, the McDonalds shared that they are "humbled and joyously overwhelmed" by the community's support and the efforts of the event organizers.  

"It is really hard to find the words to say thank you enough," said Jennifer. "We just feel so blessed by the support of our fabulous friends, family, and the local music community."

"Every day I choose not to worry and to not be fearful," added Jennifer. "This love and show of support makes that pretty easy—it's hard to get down when you have a wonderful support system surrounding you. I wish everyone had that when facing challenges." 

The entire eight-hour event is open to the public with no cover charge or ticket required for entry. 

The benefit will include a variety of raffles, live and silent auctions, and original artwork sales—as well as great BBQ, cold beer, and refreshing cocktail specials throughout the day. Participating musicians have committed their performance earnings to the family and 100% of the proceeds raised through the raffles and auctions will go to the McDonald Family. 

"We're flabbergasted by the announcement of this event," said Pat McDonald. "We are eternally grateful and simply stunned by the generosity and kindness of others." 

Individual donations will also be accepted through the venue's bar on the day of the event via cash or credit card.