He's known for his signature blue hat, and you've probably seen him around the Charm City music scene.
Jason Pierce plays lead guitar in the band Troll Tribe, and works tending bar at the Tin Roof in Power Plant Live.
"Jason, I would consider a brother, he came over for Thanksgiving, we're all just family here," said Nell Osborne, a co-worker at Tin Roof.
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Jason was walking home after a night out with friends when an armed man robbed him, shot him twice and then left him for dead.
The 38-year-old spent 10 days in Shock Trauma and is now in the ICU. Friends tell ABC2 News his breathing tube was removed, but he had to have heart surgery Monday and is in critical condition.
When friends learned about the Christmas Day ambush, they didn't hesitate to start planning ways to support Jason.
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"I had asked for some bands to just see if anyone was available to come play an event, didn't give a date or anything, and all these people flooded my inbox saying they wanted to play, they wanted to do whatever they could," Tin Roof General Manager Derrick Osborne said.
The response has been overwhelming. Dozens of items from musical instruments, to tickets for shows and events, to artwork, and gift cards have been donated. At least 14 bands and acoustic acts are lined up to perform at the Play for J Music Benefit.
"We're gonna make it an all-day music event,” Derrick said. “It's gonna go from 11 a.m., we've got bands booked almost until 11 p.m.
The music will be played on two stages. There will also be a silent auction and a raffle, with every cent raised going directly to help Jason with his mounting medical bills. Jason doesn’t have health insurance and is facing a long road to recovery.
"It's incredible to see how Baltimore has come together and said we can help you in this hardship, we can help you get through this together," Nell said.
The benefit event is set for Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Tin Roof bar. It kicks off at 11 a.m.
Baltimore Police tell ABC2 News investigators are still searching for the crook who robbed and shot Jason.
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