December 19, 2025

COMMUNITY URGED TO SUPPORT SPIRIT OF GIVING BY HELPING SINGER DARRYL HOLLINGSWORTH IN GO-FUND-ME CAMPAIGN

Jack Hutton moved to action after emotional

Christmas concert performance in Torrance

BALA — An emotional Christmas concert performance this week has sparked a community fundraising effort for well-known Muskoka musician Darryl Hollingsworth and his wife, Lynne.

Following Wednesday night’s holiday concert at Zion Church in Torrance, pianist Jack Hutton, along with his wife Linda and son John Jackson, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Hollingsworth, citing financial hardship.

“They have fallen on hard times,” Hutton said of his good friend who has sung the hard time blues and is now experiencing some of his own.

**Darryl Hollingsworth has been a popular singer with Jack Hutton for years including this spring’s Jack and Friends concert at the Opera House in Gravenhurst. PHOTO Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

Despite a wintery forecast that kept some residents at home, the concert still drew a strong turnout. Hutton said those who missed the show missed a truly moving and memorable performance.

Hutton said Hollingsworth had expressed concern beforehand about his beautiful bass voice, but any doubts quickly disappeared once the performance began.

“The synergy kicked in,” he said. “He has never sung When You Wish Upon a Star as well as he did that night.”

Hutton admitted he held his breath during the song’s closing moment.

“I worried about that final last note,” he said. “But he hit it right on.”

The concert concluded with Silent Night, a performance Hutton described as deeply moving.

“Darryl turned that into a hushed musical prayer that had more than a couple of people brushing away tears,” he said.

Hutton noted Hollingsworth’s long history of volunteering his time and talent for local causes in Bala, Torrance, and across Muskoka.

“Throughout the years Darryl has given so much to our community. Now, our Muskoka neighbours have the opportunity to give back,” Hutton said.

He encouraged residents to contribute whatever they can.

“No donation is too small, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Go to the link here for Hutton’s GoFundMe page he says to donate to a good guy.

It says: “The name Darryl Hollingsworth is not easily forgotten and his voice is never forgotten. You may have heard him decades ago when he was the featured performer at the Muskoka Sands, Deerhurst Resort and over the years with Jack Hutton.

“Sometime fame isn’t enough to live on in your late 70’s. Although Darryl has been a beloved performer at Muskoka Seniors Homes , gigs can get cancelled due to COVID and flu.

“He has gone through unexpected financial setbacks due to a multiple car collison giving him a severe neck injury. When insurance money ran out Darryl and his wife Lynne lost their home in order to pay for futher treatment. On top of that they lost their life savings through a scam.”