Marathon Jam Founder and President Emeritus Wrapped for his dedication and service.

John Santa, founder of the Marathon Jam and was named President Emeritus in November 2023 for his visionary drive and tireless efforts in founding and growing Marathon Jam over the past 20+ years.

After providing recognition and honor to dozens of our military and first responder heroes over the past twenty years, the Marathon Jam Board felt that John Santa should receive his recognition. He was not able to attend the 2024 Marathon Jam in Chapel Hill back in February, but you can see that his presence was felt and recognized with this special design Quilt of Honor had been made and donated with love from our first IRON QUILTER, Laura Bishop. John is seen here being “wrapped” by Marathon Board Secretary CDR Robert Simpson Welch, JAGC, USNR (Ret.). at his home last month.

John is a talented singer/songwriter, who is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, cello, mandolin, dobro, and harmonica and singing lead and harmony vocals. He began as a Bluesman and then evolved into Bluegrass. After all, the “Blue” in Bluegrass comes from the Blues, as Doc Watson, another NC Treasure has often noted. Indeed, both are uniquely American forms of music and arise from the strength of our diversity.

John is also a well-known public speaker, having been recognized as a NC Humanities Counsel Road Scholar, WCHL Radio Hometown Hero, and on WRAL TV’s Good Things Series. He is the author of Bluegrass is My Second Language: A Year in the Life of an Accidental Bluegrass Musician. Moreover, he is the record producer of and principal songwriter on EIGHTwentythree: The Blessing of the Strings, Songs from the book Bluegrass is My Second Language, a CD compilation of 17 original songs. Indeed, John is a North Carolina Treasure.

The Marathon Jam, Healing Through Music, started as his brainchild in his carport some years ago. As a tireless evangelist for this cause, he brought these talents together and wielded them to bring Marathon Jam, Healing Through Music, to where it is today. His legacy also includes initiating the MJ Hospital Volunteer Musician program that brings musicians into VA hospitals and clinics to provide music to veterans and their families with countless stories of great impact and healing through the live music. It is why Marathon Jam exists and grows.