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Hurricane Ike "6" Galveston Bay Musicians Artists "0"
(Scores by Ike represent total losses)

Down Load Press Release

Photos by Andy Eng tell GBAMA story
Pictures of Island Music Store in Galveston were taken by the store's owner, Robert .

10/04/2008 Good afternoon everyone and welcome to today's broadcast. We are in the top of the second inning and your home team, the Galveston Bay Area Musicians, have been shut out so far. While the pitcher is warming up, let's re-cap the first inning. Basically, no matter what our starting pitcher brought, whether it was a slider from Slide Effect or a curve ball by reliever Bodacious Tata’s, the visiting team, Hurricane Ike was shattering the bats ( venues with blown off roofs, guitars, pianos, drums destroyed, etc.) and knocking it all over the playing field (Galveston, San Leon, Bacliff, Kemah, Houston, etc.). If it were not for some blue star plays by the defense (evacuations, boarded up windows, etc.) the home team would be getting killed. Unfortunately, we've had some injuries: Rex Bell (Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe) was hit by a season ending pitch and was left stranded on first (Reports say he will be back and we wish him the best), and of course, the career ending blow to the old timer and future hall of famer Balinese.

Inning two started out with a triple from Brittney Wilson-Sullivan on the Channel 11 Debra Duncan show but was left stranded when power hitters Channel 13 and News 2 Houston failed to lay down a sacrifice. It's going to take a bit of coaching here to survive this but it can be done. The way I see it is our pitchers (musicians and bands spreading the word) need to throw strikes. Defense has already cleaned it up for the most part and we'll need the hitters (music community, venues, media, and fans) to band together to overcome Ike.

And now it's the third inning.....
All, I hope this analogy does not offend anyone. We need to come together and help our fellow musicians artists that have suffered losses due to Hurricane Ike. Our once vibrant music scene has been devastated. The following is the injury report that I have so far:

Rex Bell from the Old Quarter lost everything.

The Balinese, Maribelle’s and the 18th Street Pier are gone.

Pat and Holly Beadles from Slide Effect suffered severe damage and equipment loss to their home in San Leon.

Sandbar is shut down for 8 months.

Taildraggers’ Troy Long lost his amplifier and had significant damage to his home.

San Leon Beach Pub is shut down till October.
Joey Cone from Fuzz Box Junkies lost his clothing and a drum kit.

Chris Elliot of the Bodacious TaTa's home is unlivable.
Abel and DeAnn Salazar lost their home and severe damage to their grand piano.

Andy Upchurch of Andy and the Dreamsicles lost two keyboards.

T-Bone Toms, Monkey Bar, Palapas, Gingers, Green Parrot and the Amadeus Lounge will be delayed in re-opening.
And there are many more.

What do we need to do? We need to raise funds to help get these people their equipment replaced so that they can continue to perform.

How do we do that? We will ask the communities, the fans, and the media to support an event or several events that raise the funds. We will form a Pitch Team to ask for equipment donations. We will create an awareness of our situation.
What can I do for the immediate? Share this message with everyone you know and email me at onleadguitar@sbcglobal.net with information about musicians artists that suffered losses due to Hurricane Ike.

What else can I do? Email me at onleadguitar@sbcglobal.net with what you are willing to do to help this cause. We need sales people, graphic artists, web site designer(s), people with marketing skills for press releases, people who have contacts with the media; people have contacts with the local city councils, etc.

Who will coordinate all this? The Galveston Bay Area Musicians are forming an alliance to start organizing fund raisers. Bill Perkins is contacting the Mayor's offices of the local municipalities to find out if they are planning any Ike related events, Jay Trevino and Rick Valente are contacting out door venues for the event and assisting with the formation of an alliance of Galveston Bay Area Musicians. Dave Raub and Alexis Thomas are assisting with development and marketing. Andy Eng (Andy and the Dreamsicles) is assisting with the development and Scene Magazine’s John and Betsey Ennis have weighed in and are willing to help. We’ll ask Barry Radcliffe to assist in legal matters. Christi from “theCrisis”, Brandi, Steve Revak and Bobby Emerson (Wood ‘N Wind) will be assisting us as well. Toree Montgomery, who made sure that our alliance was mentioned on The Great Day Houston Show with Debra Duncan through Britney Wilson-Sullivan’s interview, will be contacting the media via emails daily.

All, I am very proud to be associated with the Galveston Bay Area Musicians. When Cindy Peterson needed assistance paying her cancer related medical bills the musicians artists came together for her. When Charlie Greenway's (God Bless) family needed assistance with his funeral we were there. When Mark Fenton needed help paying his medical bills we were there. The list goes on and on. We are a passionate, giving group of musicians artists and will continue on helping all those in need. Now, our fellow musicians artists are in need and it's our turn at the plate. Let's knock one out of the park!

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Here is some support from Ohio

From: Kathy Hill <gncwildlife@nls.net>
Subject: Fw: Musicians Friends struck by Hurricane Ike
To: " Kathy" <gncwildlife@nls.net>
Date: Monday, October 13, 2008, 10:39 AM

Dear Friends and Family:

RE: Hurricane Ike

As most of you know, I’ve spent a great deal of time in Texas and the Galveston area. Ever since the hurricane hit, I’ve had a desire to contribute someway to the relief effort. Initially, I inquired about volunteering on Galveston Island , but was told it was not a healthy situation. Unfortunately, bodies are still being recovered and due to Ike’s impact, there are still no water or facilities etc. Daily these people are on my mind. Please note picture attachment of Galveston .

During this past weekend, Richard and I took a drive through areas that are so devastated we cried. People still waiting in long lines just for water, 26 days after Ike hit! We witnessed a couple in the front of their home, his arm around her shoulder, both crying knowing their home was a total loss. This was in an area that was low income housing anyway, most likely not insured. We saw houses flattened from the weight of the water; we saw watermarks on houses and fences 5 feet high in this area. Mind you, this is an area not even on the Island of Galveston ! It was very disturbing and disheartening to view peoples life possessions piled high along the roadway for pick up.

On Sunday I attended a Musicians Meeting with Richard in which he is a member. The meeting was an effort to promote a benefit event that will take place on November 16th to generate money for the musicians in the Bay Area. Many musicians have lost their instruments, homes and their livelihood. The venues at which they performed no longer exist or are so damaged…they will not open for months.

This benefit will help defray costs such as house payments, car payments, insurance payments, and many bills the musicians are unable to pay during this time.

My goal is to petition Ohio corporations, friends and family to help in anyway they can. I want to let the musicians of the Bay Area know that Ohioans, care about their situation and want in some way to help monetarily resolve their dilemma.

I feel so Blessed to have my home and all the amenities that make my life an easy path to follow, I want to help these friends to have hope again!

Will you be willing to donate? If so you may make an online donation Click Here

Thanking you in advance for your time and efforts.

Kathy