Janflone, 45, one of the most accomplished and in-demand guitarists on the music scene in Western Pennsylvania, had a medical triple whammy of an emergency appendectomy that was accompanied by a infected incision. That was in July.

And then in early September, just as he was starting to feel well enough to resume his music-making career, he and his wife, Catherine, were injured in a rear-ender car accident.

"I didn't want to do it, but I had to let the guys in my band go so they could earn a living and so I could concentrate on getting well," he said Monday from his South Strabane Township home.

"What I've done since January is to take a sabbatical leave from performing while I'm undergoing physical therapy and rehabilitation," he said. "And I'm teaching quite a bit. I'm really enjoying that, thanks to a lot of great students."

Janflone is also doing some studio work, writing and recording commercial jingles that will be heard throughout the Pittsburgh market.

But to add insult to injuries, the medical insurance that he purchased for himself and his wife is far less than promised and nowhere near adequate.

"I switched medical insurance companies four years ago at the urging of a not-so-truthful saleswoman," he said. "The result has been lots of issues not covered by our policy, and our medical expenses are piling up."

To that end, the saxophone player from the Tony Janflone Band, Curtis Swift of Weirton, W.Va., and a former guitar student of his from Duquesne University, Derek Bayer, have put together an all-star benefit concert from 7 to 11 p.m. March 13 at the Rhythm House in Bridgeville.

The benefit show will feature all friends of Janflone, including Donnie Iris, Rob James of the Clarks, Billy Price, the Skip Peck Band, Frankie Capri, D.C. Tanner, Howard Mincone and others including the incomparable Tony Janflone Sr., father and mentor of Tony Jr.

"Over the years, I've played many benefit concerts with those guys, all of them," Tony Jr. said. "I didn't want them to organize a benefit concert for me, but it's a wonderful gesture. And it'll help with all the (noncovered) expenses. I can't thank them all enough."

Tony Sr., who took his son to his first music jobs at age 14, still performs some and still teaches. He is also a guitar maker now. One of his "TJF Custom Guitars" will be auctioned off at the Rhythm House show.

"I figured that after all these years of fixing expensive guitars, I ought to start building my own," Tony Sr. said Monday. "I've sold three so far in the $1,100 range."

Call the Rhythm House at 412-221-5010 for tickets.

Byron can be reached at bsmialek@observer-reporter.com. To hear his column online, visit www.observer-reporter.com.

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