Earlier this year, beloved drummer Eric Bolivar was suddenly diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease and Stage 5 Kidney failure. Turning to the music community, Bolivar launched a GoFundMe page in January to help pay for the treatments, and raised over $10,000 within the first day. Still, Bolivar is undergoing daily dialysis treatments and will eventually need a kidney transplant. As you can imagine, he is unable to work and tour as he once did.
The community has responded by organizing a benefit concert for Bolivar. Next Thursday, April 9th atTipitina’s in New Orleans, an all-star cast of NOLA musicians will gather in support for the drummer for It’s a Family Affair: Drumming To The Same Beat. So far, the lineup includes:
Eric Bolivar Band featuring Khris Royal, Andrew Block, Erica Falls & Nigel Hall, Ron Johnson, Honey Island Swamp band with Dave Jordan and Johnny Vidacovich, Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes With Dave Malone (from the Radiators), Bonerama With Dave Malone and Jon Gross, Billy Iuso and the Restless Natives w Michael Fou (from Gravity A), Ian Smith and Khris Royal, Terry Mcdermott from the “Voice”, Big D (from Jon Cleary & AMG) and Donnie Sundal (Boukou Groove), Dave Rosser (from Afghan wigs) John “Papa” Gros, Eric Cotton , Marc Stone, Paul Sanchez, Papa Mali, Colin Lake, Kirk Joseph (from Dirty Dozen Brass Band), James “12” Andrews, Shamarr Allen, Paul Sanchez, Margie Perez, Arsene Delay, Monica McIntyre, Lynn Drury, Dana Abbott and others.
That list doesn’t even include drummers Stanton Moore, Russell Batiste, Alvin Ford, Jermal Watson, Derrick Freeman, Terrance Houston and more, who will be taking turns behind the kit in Bolivar’s honor. There will also be two live painters on hand, and all proceeds will go towards Bolivar’s medical treatments.
For more information about the event, head to the Tipitina’s event page.