In Honor Of Sam Johnson

Movin' On....Slowly

2005-05-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

I'm tired, y'all. I haven't been fellin' right doue to the heat catching up with me here. That, plus doing to dialysis has me down. So much in fact, that I'm behind on packing. It just hit me that June first rolls on a Tuesday. I really don't have a lot to move, but the fact that I've been too pooped to pop hasn't helped. I got some plasic tubs to just throw stuff in for now and I'm going to try and take stuf over little by little over ther weekend, inbetween jobs. I hope that I can get it all done before Memorial Day, so I can sit back and enjoy the day. I need a Bippy and Carl story to relax. FAST. HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Fundraising Tally So Far...

2005-05-22T09:34:00.000-07:00

Well, here's the good news. We have money coming in. The bad news is it's coming in slowly. As of now, we've raised only 2,961 dollars since Febuary. We're doing our best to reach our early goal of five thousand to meet with the Mwedical College of Georgia's Access To Care matching fund, but it's been difficult. MCG has a due date of june 21th, but I think that may be a mistake. I've honestly been too busy with moving or just way too tired as of recent to verify that. I need to tell you that wehn you're doing dialyis, it truly takes alot out of you to the point where you can't really function the way you should. A person comes out of it weak and disoriented. At least, I do. There are days when I just want to get as much rest as I can the day after, just so I can be ready for the next day's filtering. And because I live alone, there's really no one around to kick my butt to get up and do some of the things I should. That's not a good thing, as you would expect.

However, I'm still going on ahead with as many fundraisers as I can. Infact, I should say we had a volunteer to help us out in a big way. John Conner, a realator with ERA here in Savannah, has come in to the fold and will donate 1% of his sales to the fund. In other words, if he sells a home worth 100,000, we'll recieve 1,000 dollars! Maybe you read about it eariler in the comments from Tina, but I wanted to make sure it was on the main page. I personally have to thank John for comming forward with this more than generous offfer. If your in the Savannah area and you're looking to sell your home, see John at 912-844-9399 and tell him that you want a percent to go the fund. I know he'll be glad to hear from you.

I need to thank Tina for putting that together. Actually, I need to thank Tina for putting up with me for all these years. She's been a good friend, alough her husband Jeff and I have been friends longer. She's done a wonderful job with all of this, along with evryone else that's donated their time for this. Don't forget, we've got Sam's Big Score happening on June 4th at The Bar Bar here in Savannah and Survivor Day with the Savannah Sand Gnats on June 14th. Tickets are still available, so contact us here online before june fifth or catch up us here in town if you can.

One more thing before I 'm done. I'm going to try to update my NTAF information page tonight, which should include a photo. If you haven't gone there yet and made a donation, please do so. Now more than ever, I need your help. Remember, every dollar counts. Your donation will go to the fund, so make your today. Thank you in advance.

Two Upcoming Fundraisers!

2005-04-19T14:46:00.000-07:00

I just published the following on my other webpage. In case you don't go there, here' s the details.

First as promised, here's the news of the fundraisers I was talking about. The first one will be called Sam's Big Score. It will be held at The Bar Bar, located at 219 W. Julian St., here Savannah, GA on may 14 from 10pm until 2:30am. Basically, the bar never charges at the door. Their felling is the only thing you shoukd ever have to pay for in a bar is the drinks. Well that night, we're asking for only a three dollar minimum doation at the door and the bar is wide open to you. Plus, if you step all the way to the back of the bar to the dance floor, you may notice someone spinning the tunes that night. I really don't trust anyone else playing DJ that night. Face it, you want it done right, do it your own bad self. This is going to be one sweet night, as we go for the The Big Score. Play theme from Shaft here.

The other thing we have planned is...Well, how do I explain. On June 14th, we're teaming with our local minor league baseball team,the Savannah Sand Gnats for Survivor Day! Now, I'm not certain, but I have have a feeling someone going to get voted out of the outer field, but I could be wrong. Anyway, Tina came up with the idea that since I have the tenacity of William Shatner (and how has he lasted this long in show business, anyways) when it come to my health, I would be the perfect Survivior, or something like that. So, we've got tickets to sell, but only for a limited time here online. If you want to purchace one or maybe, ten, they're only six bucks and half the sales of each ticket go directly into the fund! Now, I will say that these babies are collectors items, as they have my name on them! Yep, the Sam Johnson name is printed right on it. Just shoot an email to Samjohnson@gmail.com and let me know if you'd like to buy any. We'll send you the address ('cause I don't want stalkers looking here for it) and your purchase price. Afterwards, send a self addressed envelope with your order amd we'l ship it out to you a.s.a.p.. But, you'll have to do it before June 5th, that way we'll know it'll get to you on time. Hey, I'll even sign the each ticket you ask for my mail! That makes it even more collectable! That is, if I ever really do get that talk show I keep dreaming about.

Two interesting facts about that day. One, that June 14th is my birthday, so it's a cool way to celebrate it! Two, and this is the tough part. Tina actually convinced The Sand Gnats to let me throw out the first pitch. I haven't picked up a baseball since I was a kid and honestly, I used to be a lousy pitcher when I did play and that was softball. I can tell you now this will not be pretty. I can hear the hecklers now. "The pitcher's blind, he can't throw." Well, even I know that, hence the glasses I now wear. I would have been happier singing The National Anthem, but somehow it seems funnier to see me pitch. Well, if it gets me more money for the kidney fund, then I guess I gotta go for the gusto, huh? I'll keep you al posted on how practice goes and if my rotator cuff stays intact.

It's On!

2005-04-02T11:42:00.000-08:00

Hi!.I just wanted to take the time to let you know that Samapalooza is happening now! I just got the chance to run home to tell you. Actually, I forgot something and figured I had the time to let you know. We're doing live updates now on The Real Sam Johnson Show site, so if you aren't able to make it, at least you'll be able to enjoy some of it. Thanks again for stopping by and we'll talk again soon!

From Connect Savannah 3/30/05

2005-03-31T08:27:00.000-08:00

Connect Recommends
Our suggestions for this week's most noteworthy live shows
By Jim Reed March 30, 2005

Samapalooza
Sam Johnson has worked in the Savannah radio business for two decades, so it’s no surprise that when the 38-year-old found himself in a difficult position it was to the local music community that he turned for help. Johnson (who currently is heard on WEAS-FM) is in dire need of a kidney transplant, and cannot afford the estimated $100,000 he may ultimately need for post-operative care.

To that end, he’s organizing an all-day concert at this downtown bar and live music venue in hopes of getting a good start at raising this phenomenal amount of money. The show starts at noon and runs till 10 pm, and costs only a $5 donation – all of which will go directly to Johnson’s official tax-deductible account. The bar too, is donating a portion of their liquor sales for the day, so it’s a win-win situation all around.

9 different local and regional artists in a variety of genres are donating their time and talent to the cause, including guitarist G.E. Perry & Strange Brew, world-music hip-hop vocalist Zan, singer/songwriter Greg Williams, The Jackson-Evans Jazz Duo, Atlanta’s funk-metal newbies Code Atom, and electric bluesman Eric Culberson. Says Johnson of the time and effort it’s taken to put this show together, “I’m starting to feel like Bill Graham.”

This is a great way to expose yourself to some great live entertainment, and do a good deed in the process. For more info on how you can help out, and a complete schedule of artists participating, go to: samjohnson.blogspot.com. Sat., noon, Mercury Lounge.

Corrections Code Atom has been cancelled, so this truly is a "Locals Only" show. And, The Mercury Lounge won't be donating a percentage of the drinks, however they will make a donations thru tips made that day. It's still a win-win. After all, they donated their location all day to me to do what I wanted, so I can't complain, really. I'm just happy they're giving the help I want. Thanks, guys!

Two Days Until Samapalooza!

2005-03-31T07:29:00.000-08:00

I've kept most of the stories of how Samapalooza off this page, as it contains me whining and complaining on how putting this together could have been and had become the hardest thing
I've ever had to do. You'll find those post on The R.S.J.S. . But, we are ready for April 2nd, if for anything, to see all the hard work in action. We start at noon and play on thereabout until 10pm. We've had a band waffle about playing the show, and we'll have a slot or two open that day, but I think we'll be fine. Here's the rundown of who's playing...

12pm The Hitmen
1pm Solid Gold Slacks
2pm open slot
3pm Gordon Perry (I probably could not have done this without his help. Bless him.)
4pm open slot
5pm Stewart Marshall
6pm Jackson Evans Trio
7pm Zan
8pm Broken Time
9pm Greg Williams Band
10pm Erok

We're working on selling pizza slices that day, along with kidneys. Let me explain...You know those shamrocks you see on convienience store windows for charity? Well, we're selling paper kidneys for one dollar and plan on blanketing the walls of Mercury Lounge with them. Plus, if you buy one or more, you'll be entered in a raffle to win lots of prizes. And maybe, if the mood hits me, I may get up there and do a tune or two myself. But, don't let that stop you from coming out.

If you're not able to make it that day, you can still be a part of Samapalooza. We'll be doing semi-live updates from the show starting around 11am and continuing all day 'til ten at The Real Sam Johnson Show page. We'll also try to get photos up that day to, if logistics work out. And, as always before, during and after the show, you can give donations online by just going to the National Transplant Assitance Fund's website. So, tell your freinds.

All in all, this looks to be a great show. This is something my friends and I (freinds include Jeff and Tina McDermott, Mike and Wendy Nease, and Annie Persons, the toughest little nice lady you ever want to meet) worked hard on getting off the ground and I think they are as glad as I am to finally see this happen. We've crossed alot of tough roads to get to this point. We hope you'll be there as we ride to the finish line (Man, that was cheesy) for I hope, to you, is a good cause.

Thank you.
Sam Johnson

Fundraising Update

2005-03-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

I need to thank everyone that's come by and made a donation. Please pass the page on to your freinds. I just received a letter from the National Transplant Assistance Fund, and they tell me the money is coming in. So, keep it coming, folks!

Samapalooza Update

2005-03-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Just for the record, fundraising is hard work. But, I can say that we have bands lined up for the show on April 2nd. Gordon Perry, Eric Culbertson, and Hitman, all local musicians have comitted to play. Hopefully, we'll have more bands lined up soon. Keep checking in to find out more. Thanks!

Good News, Finally

2005-02-23T13:38:00.000-08:00

Online Donations are now available. Just click the link on the NTAF's website where it says Contributions, then click to credit card. You'll find my name and there you can contribute what you wish. Thanks in advance!

In other news, three bands have just committed to Samapalooza, our kickoff fundraiser on April 2 here in Savannah. Names will be announced soon.

The Real, REAL Sam Johnson Show

2005-02-10T11:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you evryone for stopping by. I do hope that you'll help out in any way, shape or form.

Now, for more good news. I've been doing some talking with some folks and we have our first benifit happening April 2, 2005. It's an all day music show at The Mercury Lounge, 125 West Congress Street here in Savannnah, with various bands and musicians. Now, with all of the seriousness I've had to deal with putting this together, I needed to come up with a name that I hope will as least let the folks know that I can still have a laugh or two about things.

So, get ready for SAMAPALOOZA. It sounds like fun.

In honor of Sam

2005-02-08T22:07:00.000-08:00

Sam Johnson has had a blessed life, being fortunate enough to have a career in both radio and television, but not without its costs. He's fought end stage renal failure for several years to the point that his only chance for survival and a cure is a kidney tranplant. Sam has had high blood pressure since his late 20's and one serious side effect was kidney failure. You wouldn't know it due his sunny outlook, but Sam has been disabled for full time work since June of 2003, just days before his birthday of June 14. He'll be receiving his transplant from the Medical College Of Georgia in Augusta once a matching donor is found. But, financial resources have become the hardest part of all of this.

Funding the uninsured expenses related to the transplant is the next challenge - a challenge Sam can't meet without your support. He'll need to raise $100,000 for for future uninsured medical bills along with ongoing travel expenses to Augusta. To help with his financial burden, a campaign in Sam's honor has been established with the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for the past 20 years. All donations are tax-deductible and are administered for transplant-related expenses only.

We need to raise $100,000 dollars as quickly as possible.

Make checks payable to: NTAF SOUTHERN KIDNEY TRANSPLANT FUND

Note in memo section: In Honor Of Samuel Johnson

Mail to: NTAF
3475 West Chester Pike, Suite 230
Newton Square, PA 19073

For credit card donations, call NTAF at 1-800-642-8399 or visit http://www.transplantfund.org/ .

We need all the help we can get! The fundraising committee is just forming. We hope to plan a series of events until our goal is reached. We can use your ideas, creativity, time, and support in any and every way. Please call one of our local contacts or send a contribution today. Thank you.

Local information is availible by contacting:
Jeff or Tina McDermott-mailto:mcdermotts92@hotmail.com
Mike or Wendy Nease- rhenry166@comcast.net
Sam Johnson-samjohnson@gmail.com

All contributions are tax-deductible to full extent of the law. The fund is administed by the National Tranplant Assistince Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt organization dedicated to providing fundraising assistance to families incurring financial challenges due to an organ/tissue transplant or other catastropic illness and to promoting organ awareness. For information call 800-642-8399.

Update Online donations are not yet available. You can donate for now by calling the 1-800 number or via mail. Please check back soon for details on on online donations.