Well known to many Wichitans of a "certain age", Pat left a legacy of music for a city that still smiles at the sound of his name.

Pat began heading up R & B bands at the age of 17 with The Velvet Honey. Later he formed The Bear Valley Blues, The Entire British Navy, and Four Brothers. Pat's bands packed in the crowds wherever they performed. He played four days a week six years running at the 1980's Wichita hotspot My Brothers Place.

Pat also toured with many well known artists including John Manning, Mike Finnigan and Jerry Wood, Leon Russell and Freddy King.

Each year, alumni from beloved Wichita musician Pat McJimsey’s rock, blues and jazz bands reunite to celebrate McJimsey’s legacy, and raise funds for Performers Assistance Trust.

Pat Bash 2010 will be on Sunday, March 14 at Margarita's Cantina, 3109 E. Douglas. Doors open at 4:30, show starts at 5:00. Tickets ONLY available at the door.

Opening act will be Marc Westerman and friends followed by Lotus, Margarita's long-time house band, then Rachelle Coba, who recentlly represented the Wichita Blues Society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Other performers include the Drake Macy Band, and Jenny Detra and Good Cookin'.

A special set this year features McJimsey Band arrangements and includes a three piece horn section that will bring back fond memories of the '80's when the Pat McJimsey Band was house band for seven years at “My Brothers Place”.

Closing the evening will be “Patapalooza" with Joe Clements, Alan Larimor and Matt Koehn on horns; Rachelle Coba performing well-known McJimsey tunes, and special guest vocalists Richard Collins, Sherry Cowan, and Bob Hartley.

Musicians in need can receive help from the Performers Assistance Trust

The PAT Fund’s mission is to offer modest financial aid in a timely and practical manner to any deserving area musician (or their immediate survivors), it is administered by the Wichita Blues Society.

The PAT Fund is a non-profit resource for working area musicians unable to gig due to major illness, accident or medical emergency, or for their immediate survivors to address final expenses. Applications for assistance are reviewed by the PAT Fund Committee and acted upon in keeping with the urgency of the request.

The fund was created at the request of the late musician’s wife, Barb Pearce-McJimsey, from memorial gifts following his sudden death from a heart attack in 2004. “Pat understood the needs of so many musicians who struggle to survive without health insurance or savings, especially when a hardship interrupts their ability to play for pay,” explained Pearce-McJimsey. “When adversity affects a musician’s ability to keep gigging the struggle can become a crisis.”

Since its inception, the PAT Fund has helped over a dozen local musicians, like “Pete”, who couldn’t afford vital heart medication, and “John”, who needed special therapy after a stroke. “Max” needed help while recuperating from an accident that cost him weeks worth of gigs. “Mary” contacted The PAT Fund when her musician husband died unexpectedly.

Contributions and memorial gifts sustain the PAT Fund. To make a donation at any time send your contribution to: The PAT Fund, c/o The Wichita Blues Society, PO Box 8273 - Munger Station, Wichita, KS 67208. WBS is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 Kansas corporation.

An Applicant* to the PAT Fund must be or have been a professional musician in Wichita and South-Central Kansas, and must document a specific and verifiable need. All information submitted will be kept confidential unless authorized by the applicant.

Types of Assistance:
Medical/Rx due to illness/accident
Emergency needs
Burial/Final Expenses

Range of Assistance: Up to $500

*Anyone can request and submit an application on behalf of a qualified musician or their immediate survivors.