David Blackmon Needs Our Help

David Blackmon has shown the world over 6 decades that he is a musical force of nature that cannot be silenced. From his humble beginnings with the Blackmon family band to world tours with the great Jerry Reed in the late '70s and early '80s. From backing up Nashville greats such as Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell, and Charlie Pride to playing an integral part in the rise of one of the biggest jambands on the planet, Widespread Panic, during the 1990s.

David has always poured his passion and soul into his music. His life path was altered in the early 2000s when he suffered a devastating spinal injury. The doctors thought he would never walk again, much less play the fiddle. Most of us would have given up at that point, but not David. In just a few years, he was back on tour with Blueground Undergrass and melting faces all across the country, often surprising fans by jumping up out of his chair while shredding the fiddle. In recent years, David continued to share his talents in bands such as Curly Maple, Kenny Blackmon String Band, and Pickled Holler, just to name a few. He has performed with so many greats throughout the years: Bill Monroe, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Mike Marshall, John Doyle, Darol Anger, Warren Haynes, Vassar Clements, Tony Rice, Normaltown Flyers, Peter Buck—the list truly goes on and on.

In 2021, David experienced another physical setback when he had to undergo a double amputation surgery on both of the lower parts of his legs. The past few years have been up and down with multiple stays in the hospital. David continues to keep his spirit high (usually chatting with friends and sharing laughs via links to comedic video jewels and great music videos). Unfortunately, his medical costs and day-to-day expenses are a major challenge.

We are here not only to pay homage to one of the greatest musicians ever to come out of Athens, GA, but to also help a friend in recovery. All proceeds and donations will go towards helping David get the medical care and assistance needed to sustain a comfortable life.

David Blackmon has played with the following musicians over the years…

“First gig I ever played was for a frog jumping contest.” - David Blackmon

Goose Creek Symphony,

Jerry Reed,

Glen Campbell,

Dolly Parton,

Jimmy Dean,

Widespread Panic,

Pickled Holler,

Blueground Undergrass,

Goose Creek (was my first outing with a band that was riding a hit song - "Oh Lord, Won't You Buy Me a Mercedes Benz"),

Bill Monroe,

The Hoyle Family,

Barefoot Jerry,

Charlie McCoy,

Charlie Pride,

Jerry Douglas,

Sam Bush,

T. Graham Brown,

Mike Marshall,

Rushad Eggleston,

Jim Lauderdale,

Neal Fountain,

Bloodkin,

Darol Anger,

Casey Driessen,

Jeff Mosier,

Vassar Clements,

John Starling (produced the Trio album with Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Dolly Parton),

Bernie Leadon (former member of the Eagles),

Col. Bruce Hampton,

Heartwood,

Buddy Spicher,

Benny Martin,

Roy Husky Jr.,

Gov't Mule,

Warren Haynes,

Drivin' and Cryin',

Kevn Kinney,

Peter Buck,

Avalanche,

Jimmy Herring,

Buddy Greene,

Pat Flynn (The Newgrass Revival, Buddy Greene),

The Normaltown Flyers,

Neal Fountain,

Peter Rowan,

Vigilantes of Love,

Bill Mallonee,

Waylon Jennings,

Patterson Hood,

Jason Isbell,

John Cowan (The Newgrass Revival, The Doobie Brothers),

John Doyle,

Capt. Soularcat,

The EarReverents,

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band,

Jonathan Byrd,

Curly Maple,

The Kenney Blackmon String Band,

Arlo Guthrie,

Nikki Sudden,

Derek Trucks,

Oteil Burbridge,

Jeff Coffin,

Kenny Baker,

Tommy Talton (Cowboy and Gregg Allman Fame),

Brent Mason,

Seidina Reed,

Fred Carter Jr. (Simon and Garfunkel),

Johnny Gimble,

Tanya Tucker,

Tony Rice,

Gary “El Buho” Gazaway,

Jack Pearson,

Joseph Patrick Moore,

Randall Bramblett,

Roy Wooten,

Davis Causey,

Vince Herman,

Drew Emmitt,

Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie),

Scott Vestal (Avalanche, Sam Bush Band),

John Popper (Blues Traveler),

Mike Campbell (Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, Mudcrutch),

Ike Stubblefield,

AM Delivery (my first Newgrass Band),

Chuck Leavell,

Robert Randolph,

Larry Londin (Steve Perry, Journey),

Johnny Neel

And the band that started it all, our family Bluegrass Band…

The Crackerland Bluegrass Boys