Memphis community rallies to help injured tattoo artist
By Carrie Sanders | MicroMemphis reporter
posted April 1, 2013
Joe Stamp is recovering from his injuries after a motorcycle crash.
A Midtown tattoo artist is back home recovering after a tragic motorcycle accident. Now, a community is rallying around him in this time of need with a benefit concert at a popular Highland Avenue nightspot.
Despite what he has been through, he is grateful for the many people helping him and his family through a difficult time.
"I've never had love thrown at me like this. It's been pretty amazing," said tattoo artist Joe Stamp.
Stamp was severely injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this month. The crash broke his back and doctors had to amputate part of his right leg.
Stamp will eventually be fitted for prosthesis, but he has no insurance and no way to provide for his family. Stamp is the father of one-year-old twin girls.
"I miss work so much. I've been tattooing a long time and when you don't have something around like that, it hurts your spirit a little bit, it hurts your mind a little, too," he said.
Ed Harris, a friend who organized the event calls Stamp a loyal friend and family man, the kind of guy that anyone would want to help.
"It's a horrible thing that happened to Joe but we're coming together to make sure that he's ok, that his family is ok. His daughters are going to be fine," said Harris.
Since the accident, friends and musicians have been by his side to help. Their latest effort is a benefit concert for Stamp this Wednesday. The benefit concert will feature 11 bands, thousands of dollars in goods and services from local restaurants and businesses to be raffled off and a guitar adorned with original artwork from Stamp, himself.
T-shirts sporting Stamp’s artwork will also be made available for sale at the event.
All proceeds will go directly to Joe and his family for his mounting medical expenses.
“His medical bills are getting astronomical, so he really needs our help,” said No Regrets Co-Owner and Stamp’s friend, Michael Crites.
Stamp has a long road to recovery ahead of him. But the love that surrounds him is helping him get through a life changing event.
“If I didn’t have these guys, I wouldn’t have nothing,” said Stamp.
The benefit for Joe Stamp is being held at Newby's located at 539 South Highland Street.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The donation cover charge is $10.
Despite what he has been through, he is grateful for the many people helping him and his family through a difficult time.
"I've never had love thrown at me like this. It's been pretty amazing," said tattoo artist Joe Stamp.
Stamp was severely injured in a motorcycle accident earlier this month. The crash broke his back and doctors had to amputate part of his right leg.
Stamp will eventually be fitted for prosthesis, but he has no insurance and no way to provide for his family. Stamp is the father of one-year-old twin girls.
"I miss work so much. I've been tattooing a long time and when you don't have something around like that, it hurts your spirit a little bit, it hurts your mind a little, too," he said.
Ed Harris, a friend who organized the event calls Stamp a loyal friend and family man, the kind of guy that anyone would want to help.
"It's a horrible thing that happened to Joe but we're coming together to make sure that he's ok, that his family is ok. His daughters are going to be fine," said Harris.
Since the accident, friends and musicians have been by his side to help. Their latest effort is a benefit concert for Stamp this Wednesday. The benefit concert will feature 11 bands, thousands of dollars in goods and services from local restaurants and businesses to be raffled off and a guitar adorned with original artwork from Stamp, himself.
T-shirts sporting Stamp’s artwork will also be made available for sale at the event.
All proceeds will go directly to Joe and his family for his mounting medical expenses.
“His medical bills are getting astronomical, so he really needs our help,” said No Regrets Co-Owner and Stamp’s friend, Michael Crites.
Stamp has a long road to recovery ahead of him. But the love that surrounds him is helping him get through a life changing event.
“If I didn’t have these guys, I wouldn’t have nothing,” said Stamp.
The benefit for Joe Stamp is being held at Newby's located at 539 South Highland Street.
Doors open at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The donation cover charge is $10.
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Michael Crites, Co-owner of No Regrets talks about his friend
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Original artwork by Joe Stamps.