John Mann’s concert at the Surrey Arts Centre has morphed from a solo show into a very special evening, with many musical friends surrounding him with much love and many notes.
Mann – songwriter, musician, actor, and iconic Spirit of the West frontman – announced in 2014 that he has early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. An overwhelming show of support from a recent fundraising campaign has given him the opportunity to travel to Mexico for an experimental stem cell therapy treatment.
Several years ago, Mann found himself facing another health challenge: cancer. He captured his experience by writing a collection of songs that became The Waiting Room, an album and recent Arts Club Theatre Company production. With Mann’s lyrical approach, each song delivers heartfelt tears and uplifting laughter as he reveals the most vulnerable moments of his recovery.
In the first half of the concert, Mann will be joined by musicians Tobin Frank, Eric Reed, Allan Rodger and Shari Ulrich – who accompanied him on the album and onstage during the play – to perform songs from The Waiting Room. In the second set, Mann will revisit some of his other songs (including Spirit of the West tunes).
Attendees are invited to linger after the concert for a meet and greet with John and his wife Jill Daum (of Mom’s the Word fame).