Here’s a chance for bluegrass lovers everywhere to “give back” to a man who has contributed mightily to the development of our music.

Clarence “Tater” Tate, who spent many years on stage as a member of Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys, is currently being treated with chemotherapy for lung cancer. Tater was with Monroe until the end, and spent time with Red Smiley, Lester Flatt and Hylo Brown as well.

He had been working as a part time instructor in the bluegrass music program at East Tennessee State University in recent years, and Raymond McLain, who directs the program at ETSU, has set up a fund to help Tater with the medical expenses he is facing.

Raymond urges Tater’s many friends and admirers in bluegrass to send along whatever contribution they can, along with well wishes and words of encouragement to him via ETSU.

Checks should be made payable to Clarence Tate.

A benefit concert has also been scheduled for April 15 in Bristol, TN which will reunite Tater with several other former Bluegrass Boys at the Appalachian Cultural Music Association’s Pickin’ Porch in the Bristol Mall. Billed as An Afternoon with Tater Tate, it will feature special guests Bobby Hicks, Butch Robbins, Tom Ewing, Robert Bowlin and many others.

All proceeds from the Bristol show will go to Tater Tate. Find more details on the ACMA site.