August 7, 2024
Page 7
Portland Musicians ‘Mess
with Texas’ for a Cause
Continued from Page 3
and guitarist for seminal psychedelic Port-
land rock band Go Fever, among many
other musical collaborations.
“I want the world to know that I’m not
quitting but it’s been extremely difficult
to beat back the fear of death, the battle
of GVHD, and economic insecurity for
this year-and-a-half,” said Hilsmeir. “I
have this feeling deep inside that my sto-
ry is not over. With the grace of my com-
munity, loved ones, oncologists and dear
friends, I continue to believe in miracles.
The blankets of love and support have
made all the difference in this ongoing,
arduous journey.”
Fortunately, since day one of his fight
for life, Hilsmeier has had the local mu-
sic community in his corner. His surro-
gate family of friends, bandmates and
colleagues have raised the funds needed
to cover his mortgage, medical and life
expenses thus far. Those financial stress-
es have remained constant as he has
struggled to stay in his Cully fixer-upper
home and keep up with the costs of life
and cancer.
“I went to the pharmacy one day to
face another unwanted surprise. One bot-
tle of medicine for GVHD cost $6,000.
Breakout newcomers TV Viking
Through a patchwork of grants and gen-
erosity from this community, I keep dig-
ging to afford my care, stay in my home
and thrive,” he said.
A benefit concert will be held in Hils-
meier’s honor at 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 at
The Showdown, 1195 S.E. Powell Blvd.,
featuring Portland rock legends Federale,
Danava and breakout newcomers TV Vi-
king, with DJ Stone Bunny on the turnta-
bles. Organizers are requesting a $30 min-
imum donation, or more if you can spare
it. Tickets on sale now: https://www.tick-
etweb.com/event/a-mystery-guest-with-
danava-the-showdown-tickets/13738043
A GoFundMe for Hilsmeier has been
set up. Please consider contributing so
Hilsmeier can focus his full energies on
healing and regaining his strength while
facing new health complications.
A Cultural
Celebration
Continued from Front
This year Hairston and the group have
won 6 Stellar Gospel Music Awards, a
Billboard Music Award, and an ASCAP
Rhythm & Soul Award. JJ Hairston and
Youthful Praise were also nominated for
a 2018 GRAMMY for Best Gospel Per-
formance/Song.
Youthful Praise has performed on
several national platforms in including,
Good Morning America, the McDon-
ald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel
Tour, the Stellar Gospel Music Awards,
T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest, and Essence Mu-
sic Festival to name a few.
Currently, Hairston is co-headlining
the 2018 McDonald's Inspiration Cel-
ebration Gospel Tour. He also has just
launched a new syndicated radio show,
Youthful Praise with JJ Hairston, and
he is preparing for the summer 2018
publication of his new book, "Amazing
Love," with his wife, Trina.
JJ Hairston is the new CEO and
founder of Jamestown Music. This new
label is exclusively distributed by Nash-
ville-based Entertainment One. Hair-
ston’s goal is to continue to develop mu-
sic through this new venture that can be
used as a tool for audiences everywhere
to develop their personal relationship
with God.