the PAT bash
Posted on 05. Mar, 2010 by Seth in music
words > RANDY CRUMP
Every year, local musicians join together for a night of music, to raise money to help other local musicians. The PAT Bash is a celebration of the life of Pat McJimsey, who played music in Wichita for many years.
Who was he? Every now and then comes a musician who touches so many peoples lives—that was Pat McJimsey. He was always the first to offer his service to help out other players in need of help. He was a Wichita institution, beloved by many—with many R&B bands over the years, like The Velvet Honey, Bear Valley Blues with Clif Major, The Entire British Navy, his famous horn band, and Four Brothers. I spent many a Thursday night at My Brother’s Place with my friend Flip, listening to the horn band with Rick Meyer and Hank Elder. There wasn’t a large crowd attending, but the music was always good.
The PAT Fund’s mission is to offer financial aid, in a timely and practical manner, to any deserving area musician (or their immediate survivors). The fund was created to help musicians whose ability to support themselves and their families, is disrupted by illness, injury, or death.
Although the PAT Fund is administered by the Wichita Blues Society, all area musicians are eligible. His widow, Barb Pearce McJimsey, established the fund after McJimsey’s memorial service in 2004.
“Pat understood the needs of so many musicians who struggle to survive without health insurance or savings—especially when a hardship interrupts their ability to play for pay,” she explained. “When adversity affects a musician’s ability to keep gigging, the struggle can become a crisis.”
This year the PAT Bash will be held at Margaritas Cantina. Many former members of McJimsey’s past bands will be there. The line-up includes Drake Macy, Marc & Monty Westerman, Jenny Detra & Good Cookin’, Rachelle Coba, Ray Murray, Paul Chavez, Dr. Bob Hartley, John Salem, Danny Martinez, and Lotus. There will sets of 30 minutes, some featuring several of McJimsey’s tunes. During the evening there will be raffles, with really great, donated prizes to help raise needed dollars. Be sure to get there early for this sure-to-sell-out show.
The three previous years have been well attended, and the audience loved what they heard. It’s like the ‘90s all over again. McJimsey fans have returned to this event time and again. How to explain Pat McJimsey—he cared more about the fans then himself.
PAT Bash at Margarita Cantina, 3109 E. Douglas, March 14. Show starts at 6:00 pm.
Contributions and memorial gifts sustain the PAT Fund. To make a donation at any time, send your contribution to The PAT Fund, c/o The Wichita Blues Society, PO Box 8273 – Munger Station, Wichita, KS 67208. WBS is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 Kansas corporation. For more information and applications, visit wichitablues.org.
