![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Damon-Fowler-Gasparilla-Music-Festival-Dan-Schuman-crop.png\")
Damon Fowler plays Gasparilla Music Festival at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Florida on March 13, 2016. Credit: Dan Schuman \/ Gasparilla Music Festival<\/p>\nDamon Fowler plays Gasparilla Music Festival at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa, Florida on March 13, 2016. Credit: Dan Schuman \/ Gasparilla Music Festival<\/p>\n
Twenty years after a benefit to help him following a serious accident<\/a>, Damon Fowler<\/a> is once again the focus of a Tampa Bay blues scene coming together to lend a hand .<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019d 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).<\/p>\n In other updates, Fowler shared his trademark positivity, acknowledging the extreme pain and immense gratitude for his family and fans.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t tell you how lucky I am.,\u201d he wrote on Oct. 11. \u201cAt this time, I\u2019m not able to walk very much\u2026much less play a show. I know this is gonna be an uphill battle. I\u2019m working hard every day to get on the good foot and I cannot wait to get back to playing music for all of you.\u201d<\/p>\n A GoFundMe<\/a> has already surpassed its $25,000 goal.<\/p>\n To help further, Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse<\/a>, a homebase of sorts for local blues players, is turning its Halloween Freaker\u2019s Ball into a benefit featuring Fowler\u2019s band\u2014including guitarist RJ Howson,\u00a0 Chuck Riley on bass. Complete with a bayou-themed costume contest, all proceeds will go towards Fowler\u2019s medical expenses.<\/p>\n Tickets to Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse\u2019s Freaker\u2019s Ball happening Friday, Oct. 30 in Tampa are still available and start at $15.<\/a><\/p>\n See Josh Bradley\u2019s weekly rundown of the best new concerts coming to Tampa Bay below.<\/p>\n Lamont Landers Saturday, Nov. 7. 7 p.m. $25.03. Skippers Smokehouse, Tampa<\/p>\n Emo Orchestra with The Spill Canvas w\/Greywin Sunday, Nov. 8. 8 p.m. $51.50 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, Clearwater<\/p>\n Matt Maeson w\/Sam MacPherson Thusday, Nov. 19. 7 p.m. $42.04 & up. The Ritz, Ybor City<\/p>\n Nick Cannon Presents: Wild \u2018N Out \u2013 The Next Generation Monday, Nov. 30. 8 p.m. $52.75 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa<\/p>\n Summer Hoop (Self Disrespect EP Release Show) w\/Echos Wednesday, Dec. 9. $20.97. Orpheum, Tampa<\/p>\n Bodysnatcher\u2019s Christmas Vacation w\/Psycho Frame\/Distant\/Volatile Ways\/Implosive Disgorgence Friday, Dec. 18. 6 p.m. $31.88. Orpheum, Tampa<\/p>\n Vision Crystal & Remedy Tree Saturday, Dec. 19. 7 p.m. $22.75. New World Music Hall, Tampa<\/p>\n Be Like Blippi Tour Tuesday, Jan. 19. 5 p.m. $45.75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n Karla Bonoff Friday, Jan. 22. 7 p.m. $63. Murray Theatre at Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n April Wine Saturday, Feb. 13. 8 p.m. $45 & up. Bilheimer Capitol Theater, Clearwater<\/p>\n The Lemonheads Thursday, Feb. 18. 7 p.m. $35.06. Orpheum, Tampa\u00a0<\/p>\n The Temptations Farewell Tour Saturday, Feb. 20. 6:30 p.m. $70 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n KC & The Sunshine Band Friday, Feb. 26. 7 p.m. $75 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n The GenX Takeover Comedy Tour Wednesday, Mar. 3. 6:30 p.m. $45.25. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n Southern Culture on the Skids Saturday, March 6. 8 p.m. $25. Skippers Smokehouse, Tampa<\/p>\n Hans Zimmer Live Sunday, Mar. 14. 7:30 p.m. $94.90 & up. Benchmark International Arena, Tampa<\/p>\n Kenny Wayne Shepherd w\/Eric Johnson Saturday, Mar. 20. 6:30 p.m. $58.25 & up. Ruck Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n Brit Floyd: The World\u2019s Premier Pink Floyd Experience Friday, Apr. 2. 7 p.m. $58 & up. Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater<\/p>\n The Psychedelic Furs w\/Living Colour Thursday, Apr. 8. 7 p.m. $62.19 & up. Jannus Live, St. Petersburg<\/p>\n Kenny Chesney w\/Eric Church\/Sheryl Crow\/Greylan James Saturday, Apr. 24. 4:30 p.m. $91.10 & up. Raymond James Stadium, Tampa<\/p>\n Pitch in to help make the Tampa Bay Journalism Project a success.<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us:\u00a0Google News<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0NewsBreak<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Reddit<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook\u00a0<\/a>|\u00a0BlueSky<\/a><\/p>\n This article appears in Oct. 15 \u2013 21, 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n \t