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A message from musician, Pete Sears.
(Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Hot Tuna, John Lee Hooker, Flying Other Brothers)

I am starting up a West Coast drive to help musicians who have lost their musical instruments and other music-related equipment due to hurricane damage on the Gulf Coast, specifically in the New Orleans area. Other disasters in need of attention have stricken the planet since Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, and CNN has now moved on to reporting new horrors to retain people's attention. However, the devastation that Katrina inflicted on the people of New Orleans will continue for many years to come, including its enormous impact on the lives of professional musicians and the rich musical tradition of the area.

I am asking companies to consider passing the proverbial hat around, to try to come up with as close to a $2,000 donation as you are able. The money you donate will be tax-exempt through Tipitina's Foundation of New Orleans, and will go towards buying a considerable number of musical instruments for musicians who play Jazz, Blues, Rock, and other forms of the classic music associated with the Louisiana area. One decent quality sousaphone, the big old tuba-like looking instrument that resembles a rather large Python dispatching its prey, goes for around $3,000 to $5,000.

Tipitina's will not be purchasing top-of-the-line vintage equipment with the money raised, but as the recipients are professional musicians, they will be making certain the instruments are of satisfactory quality, and are set-up for serious playing. Although many of the musicians lost very high quality, vintage equipment in Hurricane Katrina, they will of course be happy with anything that will enable them to once again earn a living and share with the world the unique brand of music the New Orleans area is famous for.

The historic Tipitina's club is now back in operation in the French Quarter, and has already held several highly successful shows, including one featuring the great blues man, Robert Cray.

Please make checks payable to: "Tipitina's Foundation" and specify for: "Musician Relief". Include all your return contact information in the envelope, and Tipitina's will send you a Tax-free ID number. Please send your Tax-exempt check donation to the address below:

Tipitina's Foundation
800 Baronne Street
New Orleans, LA 70113-1103

You may also donate by Pay Pal, but my contacts at Tipitina's tell me a check will be better if you would like to specify for "Musician Relief".