When brain surgery silenced beloved musician Beau Thomas, it affected the whole Tasmanian music community.
The skilled drummer who has worked alongside some of the state's most accomplished musicians, both live and in studio for almost two decades, recently underwent emergency brain surgery to remove a tumour.
Now, with a long recovery ahead, the music community rallied together for their beloved friend and his family.
A fundraiser gig with an epic line up of fellow musicians volunteering their time was held on Saturday, August 15, to raise funds for Mr Thomas's recovery.
Blues icon Pete Cornelius organised the event, called Give the Drummer Some, and also performed on the night.
"Recovery time means no work and when you're self employed as a musician there's no health compensation," he said.
"I wanted to chip in so I thought what better way to celebrate the man and also put a lot of people in the same room and hopefully make some good cash as well."
Mr Cornelius said Mr Thomas had given him valued musical input over the years as well as a true friendship.
"The least I could do is wrangle a few mates together and put on a gig," he said.
"Everyone really opened up their hearts for this one. (It was) a special gig."
Singer Claire Anne Taylor and bassist Louise Gill, who are in a band with Mr Thomas, created a GoFundMe page prior to his operation that's raised more than $20,000 and counting.
"Someone asked me the other day if Beau is the best drummer this state has produced and I may be biased, but I think he is," Ms Taylor said.
"In fact, I would go further and say he is up there with the best drummers the world has produced."
Alongside his incredible and intuitive musical skills, Ms Taylor said Mr Thomas had a soulful voice that "makes audiences erupt with emotion".
"But it's much more than his musical ability. Beau is such a damn fine human and his kind, cheeky and humble nature is what makes him so very loved by our community," she said.
The line up for Give the Drummer Some included The Little Cubas, Halfway To Forth, Richard Steele, Candy Feet, Susannah Coleman Brown, Pete Cornelius, Bad Dad Orchestra, Claire Anne Taylor, Sheyana Band, King Cake, Nath Wheldon, Boogieman and Launnie Jazz Collective.