Time and time again the music scene has come together to help the community as well as their own.  One member of the Augusta music family that has jumped on board countless times to help others in need is former Jemani drummer Jordan Leopard.

Leopard, considered one of the true good guys in Augusta music, spent most of 2009 as a newly married man along the way becoming a father to newborn John.  With good fortune smiling on the big-hearted Leopard no one expected that just days after leaving Jemani to spend more time with John and wife Julie he would be hospitalized with an illness that would leave him unable to walk.  In true fighter fashion, Leopard went home after stays at two area hospitals and Walton Rehab and continues to recover.  While Leopard has been able to fight off this unexpected ailment, the bills from weeks of hospitalization and rehab will unfortunately not be as easy to recover from.

On February 13th friends, family, and fans are asked to head down to the Playground Bar on Broad Street for a night of music honoring and benefiting Leopard and his family.  Already on board are Augusta bands Shotgun Opera and L.i.E. with more  to be announced.  $5 donations will be accepted at the door to help defray the costs of Leopard’s medical bills though anyone wishing to give more are certainly welcome to do so.

That so many are quick to come to the aid of the Leopard family is no surprise to me.  I can remember countless times that, as a member of Jemani, Leopard performed events to help raise funds for various charity organizations including the 12 Bands of Christmas as well as the first two Lexie’s Legacy Memorial concerts.  For me personally, I believe that the world could use a few more Jordan Leopards.  Good men with big hearts are sometimes hard to come by and Jordan is the perfect exaple of such an individual.  I know that my wife Jeannie and I will be forever thankful for the love shown by Leopard before and since the passing of our daughter Alexis who thought of the drummer and his then band Jemani as the greatest thing ever on the Augusta music scene. 

As previously mentioned, Leopard has never backed down from giving of his own time, talent, and love many times over to those in need…now it’s time to give back. 

Much love to you and your family Jordan,

Stoney