A Project of
The Luther Allison Endowment Fund
Of the Blues Community Foundation
And Forever Blues Productions
©®
Dear Artists and Friends of America's Music - The Blues!
YOU ARE INVITED TO BE LISTED IN THE INAUGURAL EDITION OFLUTHER'S, THE FIRST BLUES MUSICIAN'S ROAD RESOURCE DIRECTORY!
YOUR PARTICIPATION
WILL MAKE LIFE ON THE ROAD A LITTLE EASIER FOR OUR FAVORITE MUSICANS.
The Luther Allison Endowment Fund was created to honor the legacy of a blues great, Luther Allison. Those of us who were fortunate enough to meet Luther know that he "never met a stranger". Luther was always truly "THERE" for you. Now, in his memory, it is OUR turn - WE have a chance to be THERE for other musicians. This is a PERMANENT charitable fund for the purpose of addressing some systemic issues facing blues musicians.
Through many conversations with artists, agents, and labels, the problems that road musicians have, kept coming up. It isn't easy being on the road with few support systems and resources. Yes, sometimes an angel can be found to assist. But the real need is to create a system - a continuing source of dependable resources to meet this need.
The FIRST project of The Luther Allison Endowment Fund launched on 2.2.2002 aboard The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise! With the help of blues fans just like you, LUTHER'S, THE BLUES MUSICAN'S ROAD RESOURCE DIRECTORY will become a beacon of light to a musician in need of some basic resources.
Inside the covers of LUTHER'S Directory will be found the names and contact information for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of blues music fans around the country who have volunteered to be called upon in emergencies when a band or musician finds themselves on the road with typical "road vexation" issues.
Consider this scenario. It's 7:00 pm and the band has just rolled into 'Gigsville' for 8:00 pm sound check for a 9:00 pm show.
*The drummer has the flu!
*The band van has dropped a muffler!!
*The road manager (if they have one!) can't find lodging!!!
*There is an unintelligible contract for the next night's gig!!!!
Where can they turn for help?
Well, today, they'd be mostly out of luck but tomorrow, with your help, they will reach for their LUTHER'S! They flip to the listings for 'Gigsville' and lo and behold, they see listed in the directory several
*physicians! *mechanics!! *lodging contacts!!! *and attorneys!!!!
YES! It is likely that in that very town of 'Gigsville' there will be a physician who will help that drummer, a mechanic who would open up the shop to take a look to see what is wrong, a chamber of commerce board member who could contact someone for band housing and an attorney who would scan the contract to either calm the concern or address the issue.
This then is the "lifeline" that LUTHER'S offers!
Let's be clear about expectations: The people listed in LUTHER'S have volunteered to be of service to meet an emergency need when the usual pathways to assistance are not available.
* No one expects the physician to perform a medical procedure or dispense medicine without compensation, but she would make herself available to evaluate and help as she could.
* Certainly the mechanic, after determining the problem, would not be expected to buy a new muffler, but they might just install it as a courtesy.
* Naturally, the housing that the chamber member works to find for the band would need to be paid for, but the service he provides in making those connections can be invaluable.
* Likewise, the attorney can point out issues with the contract and maybe make a call on behalf of the band. It should not be expected of him that he write a new contract without some compensation.
So, we, these volunteers, are plugging a leak in the damn that is threatening to overwhelm. It's the escape valve that makes life on the road not quite as precarious as it was before LUTHER'S was created.
The success of this endeavor is built upon respectful and responsible People to People contact. Some of my friends say I 'm naive to think people helping people can work on this scale. I say, they don't know the blues community very well!
We're used to being there for others in an informal way. Now, LUTHER'S Resource Directory harnesses the good will, skills and talents of YOU! - The blues fans and supporters, from all walks of life, sitting in clubs and festivals all over the United States. By extending a helping hand to those artists who give so much of themselves to us onstage we are now able to give back to them when they need us.
Among the recipients of the LUTHER'S directories will be booking agents, road managers (or other designated person in the band), blues societies, blues clubs and festivals: Wherever the point of contact is needed.
On behalf of the Luther Allison Endowment Fund of the Blues Community Foundation, and the Forever Blues Project of Bean Hollow Productions, this opportunity is offered to you with the hope that we build this network of support to the highest levels and therefore feel connected in important and meaningful ways.
You know, it's not just about getting your car fixed, it's about connecting with someone and something that makes the day or night a tad brighter because someone cared. That's the value of this project.
So, please do it today! Fill out the PARTICIPATION FORM AND EITHER EMAIL IT OR SNAIL MAIL IT to B. Hammerman, Forever Blues Project, 5114-E Pt. Fosdick Dr. NW, #276, Gig Harbor, WA 98335
Those of you who step up to indicate your commitment to supporting our blues musicians through submitting your Participation Forms will be gratefully acknowledged and you will receive a beautiful 5x7 full color photo of Luther Allison in performance. Amanda Gresham, the photographer of this photo may be found on the web at www.AVIVAimage.com.
I am extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to work on this project and share so many of your fine stories. Talk to each other! We're strong together.
Forever Blues,
Barbara "Toez" Hammerman
TypezWToes@aol.com