Beloved Yakima musician Wayman Chapman was supposed to play at this week's Music in the Park, but his health still prevents him from performing for the moment ... so his friends are sitting in for him.

They're turning this Friday's (Aug. 14) concert at Franklin Park into a benefit for the versatile jazz/blues/rock 'n' roll. Stimulus Package and the Joe Brooks Quartet will perform for the free program, which runs from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Chapman, who's been a musical fixture around the Yakima Valley for years, suffered a medical emergency this spring and had to be airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. He's since endured a grueling recovery that's included extensive specialized care and a lengthy hospital stay.

That, in turn, has meant staggering medical bills, and as a self-employed musician, Chapman is self-insured and struggling to come up with the thousands of dollars he owes.

Go Fund Me account in his name currently stands just short of $11,000, but his debt is far greater.

Anyone who's met Wayman knows he's an amazing person and musician, and he's part of our Yakima family -- we need to get together and help in any way we can.

So do yourself -- and Wayman -- a favor this Friday. Enjoy some local music out on the cool, green grass of Franklin Park and do whatever you can to help him get back onstage!

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