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Strings for a Cure Cancer Benefit Show


Kaiser Bill

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I just returned from playing a benefit show to raise money to fight breast cancer. My band from the 70s was asked to do the show for the third year in a row. We played to a sold out house and raised over 27K. The foundation gathers strings from players like Willy Nelson, Paul Rodgers, Carlos Santana, Train and Bret Michaels. Jewelry is fashioned from the strings and sold with a certificate of authenticity. 100% of the money goes to cancer survivors. In the past three years over 80K has been given to survivors to help with various expenses. I am proud to help out this foundation. Here are a couple pics from the show on 10/4/14 at The Brewerie. This is in the Erie Pa. train station.

 

 

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I think that musicians playing benefits for causes they strongly support is something too seldom recognized by the outside community regardless they may cough up some cash to attend the event or otherwise support the cause.

 

Nowadays a few benefits is about all I have time to do with my work schedule. One last week for a little ranch village in southeast Montana to keep the doors open on their only real meeting place for everything from funerals to weddings and baby showers; one this weekend to help keep the doors open at the senior citizens' center where they have senior meals and prepare "meals on wheels" for the disabled and shut-ins.

 

For those playing for money it's good PR for both them and the cause; for others of us, it's a way to give that beats the heck out of writing a check to bring emphasis to the cause.

 

m

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Hey Milo...good to see you are still around. [biggrin]

 

These past two benefits have cost me well in excess of $3,000 out of my own pocket. I never believed in charging to play a benefit. Whats the point?? I know a lot of big names work benefits, but are paid handsomely to do so. [thumbdn]

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Good job, Bill. Definitely a neat charity idea those strings. Pity they can't compensate you enough that you at least are breaking even. I don't mind donating my time to a worthy cause, but $3000? Maybe you can tax deduct it at least.

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jdgm...thats an old Fender Concert...heavily modified. It must weigh 75lbs. It belongs to one the truly great musicians in my home town. He let me borrow it...he was working in Brazil and didn't need it that weekend.

 

surf pup... the flight to the show this year was most of that expense. We stayed with friends so I didn't need a hotel or a rental car. Last year we had to get a motel room for 5 days. That was costly, but worth it in the end. If I can possibly do it again next year, I will. My wife is very sick, and I've recently been asked to join a group here. They are already booked until November of next year. Not every weekend, but they are working on that as I type. I will have to wait and see what next year brings. Let me know the next time you are in town so we can get together again. Very enjoyable last time for sure. You have a great group.

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surf pup... I've recently been asked to join a group here. They are already booked until November of next year. Not every weekend, but they are working on that as I type. I will have to wait and see what next year brings. Let me know the next time you are in town so we can get together again. Very enjoyable last time for sure. You have a great group.

 

Thanks, Bill. Will do. Hope the new band goes well. Keep me posted on the dates. Love to repay the favor and come see you guys. [thumbup]

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I'm with the $3,000 to do a benefit. I couldn't afford it. OTOH... I'll wager that the group of us at the "cowboy poetry and music" deal last weekend spent that much in gas together... In that case, though, it's almost as much "family reunion" as benefit for us.

 

m

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