CLAY COUNTY – Paul Wane only knows one speed, and that’s wide open.

The guitarist, who was part of last Saturday’s Rock the Park for Monica fundraiser, will keep on rockin’ by performing at the St. Michael’s Soldiers Tailgate for the Troops this Saturday, June 8, and hosting the annual Jumpin’ and Jivin’ Juneboree next Saturday, June 15, to raise money for his Guitars for Kids foundation.

The tailgate party is a fundraiser for Orange Park-based St. Michael’s Soldiers, which supports deployed men and women of the military, local active military and their families. The group also supports the Homegrown Kindness Project in honor of Lindsay Michelle Van Zant, the late daughter of Lynyrd Skynyrd frontman Johnny Van Zant, to provide random acts of kindness to first responders, their families, injured veterans and those who need a little kindness in their lives.

The event at Fields Cadillac, 7999 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville, will be from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and will open with the “Star Spangled Banner” on guitar by Wane, appearances by Roar of the Jacksonville Jaguars, D-Line and Jaxson Deville, a meet-and-greet with many of the current and former Jaguar players like Myles Jack, Josh Allen, Marqise Lee, Anton Harrison, Keelan Cole, Brade Meester, Chad Muma, Devin Lloyd and Tyler Lacy. U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean will MC, and there will be a live and silent auction.

The Jumpin’ and Jivin’ Juneboree celebrates its third year at the Boogerville Hideout at 6043 U.S. Highway 17 in Green Cove Springs. The daylong festival of music, games and fireworks will include performances by some of the recipients who got free musical instruments from Wane, who’s committed to providing children an option to video games, cellphones, loneliness and substance abuse. Since the inception of the Rising Stars: Guitars for Kids, Wane, his wife Lisa and guitar builder Jay Murphy have given away more than 300 instruments to children throughout Northeast Florida.

“I got my first guitar when I was 8 years old, and it just kind of ingrained in me that’s how kids get their first guitar – somebody’s got to give them one,” Wane said. “I know God chose to save my life with a guitar. I want to make sure, if I can, I can help another kid get through the tough times because guitars can save you. Music can save you. It’s musical, spiritual medicine.”

Wane also donated an entire sound studio, including guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, amplifiers, speakers, lights, and soundboards to Keystone Heights High.

Starting at 3 p.m., every child at Jumpin’ and Jivin' will receive a gift bag, T-shirt and a meal, and some will go home with an instrument. There will be a bounce house, dunk booth, yard games, reptile encounter, face painting, magician, tye-dye station and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Wane said communities can be united by music’s “magic” to inspire creativity and build unity across generations. Some children who’ve received instruments have already created bands, and one, Shopping Mall Guerillas, will be recording songs in Atlanta this summer.