A former Charleston resident and music lover, David Frank Tanner, will be honored at “Celebrating the Goodness of David F. Tanner” on Jan. 29.

Tanner studied music and owned hundreds of cassettes, though he never learned how to play a musical instrument.

“Music was food for Frank’s soul and he loved any kind of music,” said Ron Gholson, a friend of Tanner.

Gholson described music as Tanner’s passion and said he felt the best way to honor him was through music.

After Tanner’s death in January of 2009, Gholson created an endowment fund in his friend’s honor.

“His wish to make music became my dream after his death,” Gholson said.

The event will include musical acts by Helen Krehbiel-Reed and Suellyn Garner, who will play a piano duet with only one piano.

The Neo Jeans and The Men of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia will also perform at the event.

Gholson hopes that members of the community and Eastern students will attend the event.

“I think students should go to the event to support jazz studies,” Gholson said.

All proceeds from the event will go to the David Frank/Ronald Eugene Gholson endowment fund, which supports the Eastern jazz studies program.

Funds obtained from the event could be used for the purchase of musical instruments, equipment, performance clothing, recording of music, and student scholarships.

This is the second year for the “Celebrating the Goodness of David F. Tanner” event and Gholson plans to make this an annual event.

Last year the event happened at the Worrington Inn, which Gholson said many people attended.

“I hope the attendance will be even better this year,” Gholson said.

Admission is $15 for the general public and $10 for students.

The event will start at 6 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Elizabeth Edwards can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].