Thank You from jamafest

Thank You from John Kochanowski & Jamafest:

I just wanted to take a minute to thank each and every one of you who have made it a priority to support JAMAFEST. Whether this Is your first visit to our Festival, or your sixth, we here in the JAMAFEST family are greatly appreciative that you have made a conscious choice to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through our Festival. 

As you know, every dollar goes a long way in the treatment and research in childhood cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. With that said, I am pleased to announce that JAMAFEST 6, raised $ 9,300.00 on Saturday October 18, 2025 for the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other life-threatening Illnesses at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Further, with this year’s effort, it takes our overall contribution, from all six JAMAFEST Shows to a whopping $ 64,072. This is all because of the selflessness of yourself amongst so many others.

With that being said, we have a lot of people to thank.

First to Glenn Perra and The Truck Bar staff for allowing us to invade their facilities every year and allowing us to do whatever we need to do to ensure we are successful. 

John Durso, who works the entire day providing the most professional sound so that all the band’s sound awesome. You are a true champion, and to do it with one arm…you are an unbelievable true warrior.

To the members of all our performers, Live Wired, Evil Empire, 100 Proof, Preacher Dogs, Horsy, Just Like Fire, Say Love and Matzah Mozzarella, thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication to JAMAFEST without even blinking an eye. You are not only some of the most talented people I have had the pleasure to be around, you are truly HEROs for what you do. 

To my brothers in Jimmi Jack, I know we only play once a year, but as each year goes by, we seem to take our dysfunction to another level and pull off an amazing set. James, Joe and Brian, it’s hard to believe that I have known most of the three of you for the better part of 20 years. We’ve had some good times and bad, but through it all you have always been there to support my crazy ideas and my quest to support St. Jude any way I can. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of brothers to share the stage with. Lior, I know you’re the baby of the Jimmi Jack crew, but you add that element that was missing for so many years. A truly great musician and even better human being. I am also proud to call you, my brother. And of course to the wizard of the low end, Jeff Sobon, who ultimately signed on to be a part of this Jimmi Jack experience without fully realizing what he was getting into , your professionalism and playing ability over the years continues to astound me, and to be able to share a stage with you and call you a brother as well is very special. I love all you guys.

To my family, and by that, I mean BREATHE. You guys will never truly understand how much you all mean to me. Brothers is an understatement! Every week we rally up at my house to rehearse the latest zaniness that has become the BREATHE set list, and I embrace that, whole heartedly…even though you won’t allow my song choices any longer. But seriously, 12 years strong, soon to be 13 and I wouldn’t choose any other misfits to play with. Carlos (who I’ve known since the age of 14), Jay, Tony and JP…I thank you specifically for entertaining all by ambitions and all the while never once doubting what I want to accomplish. Your support is unwavering and for that I will always be grateful. This last year has been one of the best with you guys, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us. I love you guys!

To all the volunteers, whom without this would never happen. Let me take a minute to call them out.

Fred Siegel for taking on the role of Event Manager. Your over analyzation of everything, and I mean everything, Is what makes you so successful. Couldn’t ask for anyone better to fill the role this year.

Mitch Rossitto for agreeing to be the Master of Ceremony again for the event, you are the best MC, hands down with the upmost professionalism in its finest and the ability to keep things moving is superb. You have leveled up our transitions dramatically and my hope is that you stay with us for years to come.

Austin Bukowski for Managing the stage and ensuring transitions are fast, precise and seamless for the artists. Also, Ben Martin for providing assist to Austin. You both are phenomenal.

Artist Liaison, Doug Dorbuck. Not only one of my best friends of over 40 years, but he is also always there to support the cause. Thank you for providing me with endless trips to the casino and being my concert buddy, but most importantly, putting your weight behind JAMAFEST each year.

Official Photographer, Kristina Fernandes. Your work over the years has been amazing and I can’t wait to see the pics from this year.

Joe Trelli, Our Live Stream Production Guru with Volume.com. Thanks for getting our small music festival in front of the masses online.

Ilene Siegel for managing the Front of House and ensuring everything ran smoothly.

Lauren Fernandes for helping with set up and ensuring that all the artists and volunteers were fed and hydrated.

And to the remainder of the volunteer staff who have tirelessly manned the front of the building, helped stuff sway bags, helped with load in and set up: 

Lori Lacombe, CJ & Sen Zarcone, Paula Dorbuck, Alan Bryant, Keith Swanhall, David Decker, Vinny Rositto and I’m sure I’m forgetting some people. You all are the heartbeat of the festival, and I am extremely grateful to each one of you.

In closing, I’d like to thank one other entity. And that is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Founded in 1962 by entertainer Danny Thomas, they officially opened their doors on February 4, 1962. In 1962 the overall survival rate for childhood cancer was just 20%. In the 63 years since opening their doors, they have developed lifesaving treatments which has pushed that overall survival rate to 80%. And for that, I say THANK YOU! 

BUT! It’s not 100%. 

The goal of this festival is to one day not be able to have it because we have eradicated childhood cancer, but till then, we will return year after year until we’re not needed any longer. So stayed tuned for some exciting information regarding JAMAFEST 7, coming in the fall of 2026.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You are all HEROs in the eyes of children battling cancer!