Flood
The DISTRIBUTION to deliver FREE instruments was completed Saturday October 29 at the KNOTT COUNTY CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL. Over 600 instruments were collected and restored from across north America. Hundreds of folks showed up and in the crush of activity everything was gone by 1:30. Some left empty handed and we wish we had more. Here as sample experience:
PRESS RELEASE: Folksinger Michael Johnathon and volunteers from the WoodSongs internationally syndicated broadcast completed the WoodSongs Flood Relief Effort project for the flood victims across Appalachia and eastern Kentucky. Volunteers of the program gave away more than 600 new and refurbished musical instruments on Saturday, October 29 at Knott County Central High School in Hindman, Kentucky.
“I believe that love is the greatest transaction of the arts, it drives everything we do, everything we create and everything we feel,” Johnathon said. “This was a time to put our politics, opinions and divisions aside and be loving neighbors to those in real, actual need. Let’s not underestimate the comfort music and art can bring to families and neighbors in a time of great loss.”
Among the several hundred mountain musicians that came for the instrument distribution was Polly Barse Fleming and her 17 year old daughter Bellamie. After arriving early and helping to unload the 20′ box truck loaded with guitars, banjos, mandolins, fiddles, band instruments and more they waited patiently for over an hour to make their instrument request.
“Today a dream came true,” says Polly Fleming. “When WoodSongs got there Bellamie and I got out of our cars and helped unload the truck. Michael asked what type of instrument we were hoping for today. I told him the dream instrument would be an upright bass. There was only one insight.”
After waiting patiently as hundreds of instruments were handed out, their turn came.
“We stood and waited as they gave out guitars, banjos, dulcimers, fiddles, drums, banjos, etc. When they made it to Bellamie, Michael pointed to an upright base, turned toward her and jokingly said, “Girls don’t typically play upright bass!” and then told her it was hers,” Polly continued. “Bellamie began trembling and crying which also made me cry, too. I thought this was only a dream instrument, but here it is! Once home we find that it is a Wurlitzer 1934 worth nearly $5,000.”
WATCH one of the many TV NEWS stories: CLICK HERE
LISTEN to the PUBLIC RADIO FEATURE CLICK HERE
DOWNLOAD OUR FLYER, distribute and Share CLICK HERE
IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO REPLACE A PIANO OR PA SYSTEM please send your request as an email to wfpa@woodsongs.com and we will connect you to folks who have one to donate.
Simply show up Sat Oct 29 1-5PM at the Knott County High School, it’s that easy.
WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, WE WILL BE THERE
The WoodSongs community is collecedng instruments for the musicians in the flooded regions of Appalachia
The families of eastern Kentucky succumbed to torrential rains that flooded entire communities. From Whitesburg to Hindman, Hazard to Prestonsburg the hollers were covered in a tsunami of rain that put homes, businesses, creative centers and lives under water. WoodSongs, along with our friends, fellow musicians, companies like Martin Guitars, Highbridge Spring Water are collecting instruments to restore the music of one of the most artistic and creative regions in America.
SEE THE WS TORNADO PROJECT CLICK HERE
WATCH A TV STORY “THE WS FLOOD PROJECT” FROM WKYT-CBS CLICK HERE
WATCH A NATIONAL TV NEWS STORY “THE WS FLOOD PROJECT” CLICK HERE
WATCH MOUNTAIN TOP TV NEWS “THE WS FLOOD PROJECT”
WHY WE ARE DOING THIS:
We can’t build bridges, lay foundations, repair roofs and plumbing … but we CAN bring the music of the FRONT PORCH back to the people that lost their instruments in the floods. In many ways, the people in Appalachia embody the spirit of America’s Front Porch. The music and art from Appalachia is important to preserve and, when the time comes, we want to restore the instruments lost by the floods.
Donate your instruments!
CURRIERS MUSIC WORLD attn Cathy Currier 292 S 2nd St, Richmond, KY 40475 in Richmond KY will again be the PRIME COLLECTION CENTER for all music instruments donated. Here is where ALL INSTRUMENTS COLLECTED they will be polished, serviced, restored and prepared for distribution
WHAT WE NEED – BAND INSTRUMENTS OF ALL KINDS (trumpets, trombones, flutes, sax, clainets, drums and more) guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, art supplies, keyboards, upright basses, electric instruments, amps, etc. PLEASE ONLY DONATE INSTRUMENTS IN GOOD, PLAYABLE CONDITION. You can mail, Drop off or ship directly to Curriers Music World 292 South 2nd St, Richmond, KY 40475
THANK YOU to all the drop-off locations that helped this project:
KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & Museum (Renfro Valley, KY) MOUNTAIN HEALTH ARENA Huntington WVa KENTUCKY CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MUSIC (Morehead State University) KENTUCKY SCHOOL OF BLUEGRASS & TRADITIONAL MUSIC Hazard Community College Hazard, KY MOUNTAIN MUSIC EXCHANGE attnPikeville, KY MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER Prestonsburg, KY LEXINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Northside Branch 1733 Russell Cave Road, Lexington, KY
TO STATE IT CLEARLY: this project is totally volunteer driven.
WHAT WE NEED
Contributions to rent a box truck about 24′ long, funding for fuel, instrument conditioning, travel and volunteers expenses. We won’t need much but every little bit helps. Make a TAX DEDUCTIBLE contribution via PayPal to WFPA@woodsongs.com send a check to WoodSongs PO Box 200, Lexington KY 40588 …or to use your credit card CLICK on the DONATE button below
To support Gov. Beshear’s general relief fund to help the flooded communities CLICK HERE
“There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” Vincent Van Gogh