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Johnson presents donation in memory of his physician father who graduated from Jefferson Medical College on full scholarship

Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Johnson, who has played background for the biggest names in music and whose talent has been compared to such greats as Eric Clapton. Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, made an appearance at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, to present a donation in memory of his late father.

The donation represents five percent of the profits from the sale of limited edition Eric Johnson Model Martin guitars sold in the fourth quarter of 2003. Mr. Johnson designated Jefferson Medical College as the recipient of the contribution being made by the guitar company.

With David Evans, district sales manager of the Nazareth, Pa., based C.F. Martin & Company, which manufactures the guitars, Johnson showed off and played his limited edition guitar. He was welcomed by Paul C. Brucker, M.D., president of Thomas Jefferson University, and the two Jefferson Medical College students--Amy Lynne Fromal and William Chester Borde-Perry--who will receive scholarship awards as a result of his generosity.

Johnson was in Philadelphia for a planned concert appearance.

Johnson's father, David, graduated from Jefferson Medical College in 1942. His complete medical education was covered by scholarship, a gift, his son Eric says, he never forgot.

"Jefferson helped my dad pursue his dreams," Johnson said. "It was due to my dad's success that I was able to pursue my music. He helped me when the going was tough."

When he died in 2002, the Austin American Statesman newspaper described David O. Johnson, M.D., as a “high school dropout who eventually would become a doctor and go on to bring new life to Austin’s fledgling medical community.” He was Austin's first board-certified anesthesiologist and helped to organize Austin's first blood bank.

C.F. Martin & Company is the oldest acoustic instrument producer in the world. Martin guitars are hand made by skilled craftspeople, many still using the design and techniques introduced by the company founder in the 1830s. The privately held manufacturer is acknowledged as the creator of some of the world's finest musical instruments.

Founded in 1824, Jefferson Medical College is one of the largest private medical colleges in the nation with the largest alumni group.

When he isn't touring, Eric Johnson lives in Austin, Texas.