Hi Folks. On Monday night the Canadian Country Music awards were held in Calgary, with many well-known performers here to participate. Most were scheduled to return to Eastern Canada and Nashville on Tuesday morning, and stood in shock with the whole world while they watched the tragedy in New York unfold. They were among the millions of others everywhere in North America who had to seek shelter somewhere far from home, desperately wanting to do something to help. Twenty-four hours after the disaster began, actor and singer-songwriter Tom Jackson along with other members of the Canadian Country Music Association started making phone calls, including one to me, in an effort to put on a benefit concert that night starting at 7:30. The Jubilee Auditorium and staff, the IATSE members who man the stage, about 50 musicians, singers and songwriters and even the piano tuner banded together to put on an impromptu show. Admission to the 2,750 seat concert hall (http://www.saja.com/southern where I service the pianos) was free, with donations going to the Canadian Red Cross to aid in US relief. For the full story, please go to http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/story.asp?id={5EE14DF8-D15C-4A64 -92B0-A5AF97AFDBB3} (I hope that link comes out... if not, see http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryherald/ and look for the story called "Country Stars Sing From The Heart" by Heath McCoy) At last report the benefit concert raised about $64,000 CDN with more still coming in. Calgary native and now Nashville resident Paul Brandt donated two of his guitars, which were auctioned off for a total of $12,500. On a related note, I've placed a banner on my WWW site that allows you to make a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund through amazon.com. So far they have collected more than 4 million dollars. If anyone wants to put one on their site email me and I'll tell you how to add it. God Bless America and the World. John John Musselwhite, RPT - Calgary, Alberta Canada http://www.musselwhite.com http://canadianpianopage.com/calgary mailto:john@musselwhite.com http://www.mp3.com/fatbottom
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