Johnny Wheels

Help Johnny Wheels Get His Independence Back

Johnny “Wheels” Kennicott is the powerhouse voice and harmonica player behind Johnny Wheels & The Swamp Donkeys, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most decorated blues bands. Since a childhood accident left him a quadriplegic, Johnny has spent 30 years living life on his own terms, and he’s built a career and a community doing it.

Johnny and the band blend blues, funk, and soul, with roots in The Band, The Allman Brothers, and the blues greats. They’ve won awards across the Pacific Northwest and were finalists at the International Blues Challenge in 2020. 

In August 2026 on the way home from a gig in Lincoln City, Johnny’s highly customized, accessible van was totaled in a collision with an elk. Luckily no one was hurt, but the van was deemed inoperable and the customized parts cannot be salvaged.

For most people, losing a vehicle is an inconvenience. For Johnny, his customized van is his independence. It’s how he gets to doctor’s appointments, visits friends and family, and follows his passion as a traveling musician. Since the accident, he’s needed to rely on friends and family to  lift him in/out of their cars and drive him everywhere.

What Johnny is fundraising for

Johnny needs to replace his van with a customized vehicle that meets his needs including a specialized lift, power transfer seat, and adaptive hand controls. The payout from insurance leaves a huge gap in what is needed to replace a functional van and complete the customizations.

What this means for Johnny

A reliable, accessible van gives Johnny back the freedom most of us take for granted. And it is critical for his livelihood and to keep making the music that has meant so much to so many people.

How you can help

Please donate in Johnny’s honor today, and share this page with your friends, family, and fellow music lovers. Every gift, whatever the size, brings him closer to getting his independence back. Want to help organize a benefit show or fundraiser to support Johnny? Reach out to [email protected]

Johnny has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.

Thank you for helping Johnny get back on the road on his own terms!