Damon Fowler plays Gasparilla Music Festival at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Florida on March 13, 2016. Credit: Dan Schuman / Gasparilla Music Festival
Twenty years after a benefit to help him following a serious accident, Damon Fowler is once again the focus of a Tampa Bay blues scene coming together to lend a hand .
The guitarist and songwriter has been a staple in the Bay area since he first hit the stage at 14 years old, and now, at 47 years old, finds himself recovering from a medical emergency and surgery that landed him in the ICU early this month.
Fowler told followers he had another perirectal abscess and that his diabetes is causing blood sugar issues. Upon going home, he found out that he’d need to work on fissure and fistula issues and somehow find enough money to get back on diabetes medication he stopped taking due to high out-of-pocket insurance costs ($1,000 a month for one prescription).
In other updates, Fowler shared his trademark positivity, acknowledging the extreme pain and immense gratitude for his family and fans.
“I can’t tell you how lucky I am.,” he wrote on Oct. 11. “At this time, I’m not able to walk very much…much less play a show. I know this is gonna be an uphill battle. I’m working hard every day to get on the good foot and I cannot wait to get back to playing music for all of you.”
A GoFundMe has already surpassed its $25,000 goal.
To help further, Skipper’s Smokehouse, a homebase of sorts for local blues players, is turning its Halloween Freaker’s Ball into a benefit featuring Fowler’s band—including guitarist RJ Howson, Chuck Riley on bass. Complete with a bayou-themed costume contest, all proceeds will go towards Fowler’s medical expenses.
See Josh Bradley’s weekly rundown of the best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.
Lamont Landers Saturday, Nov. 7. 7 p.m. $25.03. Skippers Smokehouse, Tampa
Emo Orchestra with The Spill Canvas w/Greywin Sunday, Nov. 8. 8 p.m. $51.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater
Matt Maeson w/Sam MacPherson Thusday, Nov. 19. 7 p.m. $42.04 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City
Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out – The Next Generation Monday, Nov. 30. 8 p.m. $52.75 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Summer Hoop (Self Disrespect EP Release Show) w/Echos Wednesday, Dec. 9. $20.97. Orpheum, Tampa
Bodysnatcher’s Christmas Vacation w/Psycho Frame/Distant/Volatile Ways/Implosive Disgorgence Friday, Dec. 18. 6 p.m. $31.88. Orpheum, Tampa
Vision Crystal & Remedy Tree Saturday, Dec. 19. 7 p.m. $22.75. New World Music Hall, Tampa
Be Like Blippi Tour Tuesday, Jan. 19. 5 p.m. $45.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Karla Bonoff Friday, Jan. 22. 7 p.m. $63. Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
April Wine Saturday, Feb. 13. 8 p.m. $45 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theater, Clearwater
The Lemonheads Thursday, Feb. 18. 7 p.m. $35.06. Orpheum, Tampa
The Temptations Farewell Tour Saturday, Feb. 20. 6:30 p.m. $70 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
KC & The Sunshine Band Friday, Feb. 26. 7 p.m. $75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
The GenX Takeover Comedy Tour Wednesday, Mar. 3. 6:30 p.m. $45.25. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Southern Culture on the Skids Saturday, March 6. 8 p.m. $25. Skippers Smokehouse, Tampa
Hans Zimmer Live Sunday, Mar. 14. 7:30 p.m. $94.90 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa
Kenny Wayne Shepherd w/Eric Johnson Saturday, Mar. 20. 6:30 p.m. $58.25 & up. Ruck Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
Brit Floyd: The World’s Premier Pink Floyd Experience Friday, Apr. 2. 7 p.m. $58 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater
The Psychedelic Furs w/Living Colour Thursday, Apr. 8. 7 p.m. $62.19 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg
Kenny Chesney w/Eric Church/Sheryl Crow/Greylan James Saturday, Apr. 24. 4:30 p.m. $91.10 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
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This article appears in Oct. 15 – 21, 2026.
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