CEDAR CITY — Noted singer-songwriter Jim Avett, father of the Grammy-nominated Avett Brothers, will perform a special benefit concert Wednesday night at Canyon View High School to raise money on behalf of a teacher at the school who is battling cancer.
The event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and $40 for families, with all proceeds going to benefit Jake Ziegler and his family.
Ziegler, 43, has been a staple of the Cedar City community for the better part of 20 years and has taught at Canyon View High School for the past 13 years. Together with his wife, the Zieglers have influenced countless students, parents, and friends. In addition to being a favorite teacher of many students, Ziegler has coached football, baseball and golf. Many have been touched by his infectious smile or kind heart.
On Jan. 1, 2018, just nine months after he and his wife, Heather, welcomed their first child, Addison, Jake Ziegler suffered a seizure and was subsequently diagnosed with a stage-4 cancerous tumor called glioblastoma. Although the tumor is aggressive and ultimately incurable, he has undergone brain surgery and has been on aggressive chemotherapy treatments in hopes of prolonging his life to have more time with his wife and daughter.
Because the the Ziegler family is known for being among the first to reach out to those in need, the idea of “A Concert for Zig” was hatched by friends, family members and colleagues.
“The stars aligned in such a way that we were able to get legendary singer-songwriter Jim Avett to break from his tour and drive from San Francisco to Cedar City to do this benefit concert,” states an announcement about the concert posted on Facebook, adding that the “incredibly generous gesture” touched the community and spurred them into action.
The idea of a benefit concert began as a way to provide some financial help for the Ziegler family, as Jake is no longer able to work, and Heather is taking time off from her teaching job to care for her husband and spend time with him.
The announcement goes on to say that it has since become more than that.
“This is an opportunity for the community we love to come together and show support for the Ziegler family, while enjoying an inspiring evening of story and song with Jim Avett and his lovely wife Susie.”
About Jim Avett
Jim Avett is an acclaimed singer-songwriter from Concord, North Carolina, who is also the father and musical inspiration for the Grammy-nominated Avett Brothers. His shows are a combination of beloved country tunes, his original ballads and the stories he tells to introduce them. One comes away from a performance with the feeling that this is an honest man sharing his life and his love of music. It’s like spending the evening on the front porch singing and talking with a good friend.
Avett is the son of a Methodist minister and a classical pianist who grew up in a home full of love and music, a home where he learned the importance of hard work and honest living. He and his wife instilled these same values in their children, tempered with a lot of fun, and of course, music. Avett’s guitar was an ever present instrument, and there was always singing.
As much as he enjoyed writing and performing music, Avett put his family first and spent 35 years running his welding company, building bridges along much of the East Coast in order to provide for them. After retiring from welding, he returned to music and has recorded four albums on the Ramseur Record label, starting with “Jim Avett and Family,” a collection of gospel music, with his children, Bonnie, Scott and Seth in 2008.
Soon after, in 2010, he released “Tribes,” a collection of original tunes ranging from soulful love ballads like the title track to the more lighthearted “Fight with a Bottle of Booze.” In “Second Chance,” Jim Avett’s third offering, the influences of classic country and early rock and roll are apparent. Once again, he draws on life experiences to write songs about love, boyhood memories and loss. His fourth studio album, released earlier this year and titled “For His Children and Ours,” is a gospel album featuring sons Scott and Seth and daughter Bonnie.
Jim Avett tours the country with his wife, Susie, generously sharing his musical talent and love for “average people.” Everyone is sure to come away from his show with a full heart and a mind full of wisdom.
Event details
- What: “A Concert for Zig” featuring Jim Avett.
- When: Wednesday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Canyon View High School auditorium, 166 W. 1925 North, Cedar City.
- Admission: $15 adults, $10 students, $40 families, with all proceeds going toward the Jake Ziegler family.
- Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance from the CVHS front office or at 5 Buck Pizza.
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