Ace Jackson and the Jump Kings will perform this weekend for an extra-special audience.
The Plant City-based band will bring its unique repertoire of roots swing May 25, to James A. Haley Veterans Hospital’s Haley’s Cove Community Living Center, for a special Memorial Day concert for veterans and residents.
“Giving feels good,” Paul “Woody” Woods said. “What a better way to celebrate Memorial Day? Some people go to the beach or a baseball game. But, we wanted to go out of our way.”
This isn’t the first time the band has used its talent to give back. During a concert at the hospital last fall, they caught the attention of one patient. He was a veteran with dementia. The nurses said he would sit alone for hours without even moving a finger.
But during the concert, he began tapping his hand against the table.
“It’s amazing to see what these guys do when they hear songs from their youth,” Woods said. “It’s really an emotional experience when dealing with these guys. Music really does transcend people and time.”
Veterans who will attend the concert include recently wounded veterans from the Middle East to World War II veterans.
In addition to the concert, the veterans will be treated to a cookout.
The band has played at numerous venues and events, including the Plant City Greater Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Pig Jam. Lead guitarist and vocalist Jeff “Ace” Jackson started the band with Woods, bassist and vocalist; drummer Keith Buckingham; and keyboardist Carlton Cunningham.
Jackson and Woods were in a country band together previously. When they realized they loved music from the 1940s and 1950s era, they split off to form the current band.
“We figured if the Rolling Stones were influenced by Chuck Berry, who influenced Chuck?” Woods said. “It opened up a big world of music to us.”
Jackson recruited his old college roommate, Cunningham to play. Shortly after, Buckingham joined.
“We’re too old and ugly to be rock ‘n’ roll stars,” Woods said. “So, we play what we love, and we’re thankful people love it.”
With the band members ranging from age 50 to 60, Woods said they were the generation between wars that didn’t get to experience what some of the veterans have.
“The best way to use our gifts that God has given us is to give back to our nation,” Woods said. “It’s the right thing to do.”