Peter Vogl, Guitarist, Jan Smith Studios

HERE’S THE STORY …

It was close to 11p on February 3, 2024, when my phone lit up with a call from my long-time friend, colleague, and guitar player for 30 years, Peter Vogl. It was a little unusual because Pete had never called me later than 9p ever, so I answered his call thinking there must be some kind of emergency with a member of his family.

When I said hello, I was a little startled to hear the voice of Pete’s wife, Jayme, telling me that they were in the ER and that Pete had suffered an acute stroke. A stroke?? Pete?? I sat on the edge of my bed, stunned, as I listened to Jayme explain to me what had happened just a few hours earlier.

Now Pete (for those of you who might not know), is one of the healthiest guys on the planet. No drinking, smoking, or ingesting any other chemicals that would be derogatory to his health and well-being. He works out routinely five days a week and is regimented in maintaining a very healthy diet. Pete helps take care of his family and is a devoted husband to his wife.

Peter holds a degree in Classical Guitar Performance, and in addition to his 30+ year performance history in pop and rock bands, he maintains a full schedule of guitar and production clients, working daily to help others better their craft. He has a brilliant mind and a congenial sense of humor which endears him to most everyone he meets. How in the world did a stroke happen to him?

Well, it did. Not just one blood clot … a few of ‘em. But there was one that had to lodge itself in a most peculiar place in Pete’s brain and landed him in ICU for 14 days. Talk about knocking your life right outta balance! WOW!

Initially Pete couldn’t even move his left arm or hand. Speech and cognition were affected, and swallowing wasn’t happening very well. There was some kind of issue with his eyes not tracking correctly and the other things that get discovered in the aftermath of an acute neurological medical emergency. It was all so overwhelming and difficult to understand why in the world this happened.

It was several days before Pete was comfortable with anyone coming to visit him in the hospital, which I totally respect and understand. But it was a real blessing for me to finally be allowed to see him. It was hard on him for me to see him like that, and equally difficult for me, but it was also a good thing to let Pete know that people were praying for him and sending him tons of love and support.

Fast forward … Peter is home and has made incredible progress. Certainly, if anybody can make a comeback, Pete Vogl will do it! He is determined to regain his life and his mobility, and he’s doing exactly that! And I am determined to play music with my righthand man again!

Pete is taking walks, beginning to work his left hand out on guitar chords, doing vocal and speech exercises, beginning to eat more solid foods and putting some weight back on, and even participating in house cleaning chores! His eyes are tracking better now, and he sounds like Petey again for the most part! The road is not near as long as it was four weeks ago, but there’s a mile high of medical bills and expenses that have piled up for all the obvious reasons. Pete and Jayme were both unable to work during the untimely medical emergency, and Pete will not be able to resume his “normal” work life for several months to come during further rehabilitation and strength building.

And so, for the sake of my dear, dear friend and colleague, and his lovely wife, I am asking for you to open your hearts and your wallets and contribute to this GoFundMe for all the right reasons. Please help us get Pete and Jayme scattered, covered, and smothered in the love and support they need and deserve. We are seeking to raise $500,000.00 — yes, that’s half-a-million folks — to help offset the enormous debt accrued at no fault of their own, and to bring them peace in the process of putting life back together.

Thank you in advance for your consideration,

Mama Jan

Peter Vogl Bio - https://jansmith.com/peter-vogl/

Jan Smith, Owner

Jan Smith Studios, Inc.

Mama J Music, LLC

Homegirl Ent., LLC

46 ten, Inc.

www.jansmith.com