March 20, 2008

2008 JazzFest ThreadHeads Raffle For Charity And A Challenge

Who are the Threadheads??

The Threadheads are a group of lovely ladies and not-so-attractive men (but with big hearts) who reside on the JazzFest website forum. Ok, maybe some of the guys are slightly handsome, but it is usually because their better half has helped them along the way….

Their mission in life is to provide the details of all the music going on during Jazzfest at night, tips on finding the cheapest hotel, best restaurants and a host of other tasks that are too numerous to list. If you need an opinion on life in general, there are always willing participants to share their knowledge.

But the biggest quality they possess is their generosity by donating time and digging into their wallets to support a duo of music related causes in my old stomping grounds of New Orleans.

Who Does The Raffle Benefit?

The New Orleans Musicians Clinic helps artists with their medical needs and provides a variety of other social services. Most musicians have limited or no medical insurance, so the NOMC in conjuction with LSU Heathcare Network and Daughters of Charity Service of New Orleans makes their lives a bit easier.

The Fest4Kidz is a partner with Silence Is Violence which helps children find a better way through anti-violence campaigns and music clinics in schools and communities in New Orleans. They also provide tickets to JazzFest for kids as well as collect donated instruments.

Take a gander at the websites to better understand where your money is about to go.

What Is Being Raffled Off?

One of the ways to raise funds is by having a raffle every year of items donated by Threadheads and other souls with giving hearts. The 2008 version of the raffle has 170+ items and the goal is to raise over $15,000 for these fine organizations. Some of the items include:

1st Weekend Grand Marshall VIP Pass for 2008 JazzFest
2nd Weekend Overpass to WWOZ Hospitality Tent for 2008 JazzFest
2 Tickets to the Bonnaroo Music Festival with camping
George Rodrigue Blue Dog Print
A ton of music CD’s from various artists and concerts
Trip to Disney World
Several JazzFest posters
A weekend in New Orleans
Autographed photos of Dr. John, BB King and George Porter, Jr
and much, much more..

The MusicRoadMan was in a charitable mood so I donated a VIP ticket to see Galactic on Thurs, May 1st and one VIP Ticket to see the Greyboy Allstars on Fri, May 2nd on the Riverboat Creole Queen. These are separate raffle items and if you win, it does not mean you have to been seen with me. But you are only getting half of the drink tickets….

How Much Does It Cost?

The raffle tickets are from $1 to $10 depending on the value of the item, plus a little bit added to take care of those dreaded Paypal fees. All that is explained toward the bottom of the 1st page of the raffle website and if you win something and you are not in New Orleans for JazzFest this year, the Threadheads will gladly mail it to you. Such a sweet bunch of people….

I know this is highly doubtful, but if you don’t see anything in the raffle that ruffles your feathers please give money to these worthy charities. You can donate to the New Orleans Musicians Clinic here and to the Fest4Kidz here. Any donation will go a long way to provide help for a musician or kid in need.

The Challenge From MusicRoadMan

In addition to possibly winning through this raffle, I have decided to make the odds a bit better in your favor.

If you send me a short message with the email address you used for the raffle or from a donation to either of the charities, your names will put in a drawing for 2 winners of a $100 gift certificate to either iTunes, eMusic or Amazon. Some people like CD’s and some are into the 21st century by downloading their music, so I will give you a choice.

I will compare the email addresses to the ones the Grand Rafflemaster and the charities have to make sure a donation was made. I will then give the entries to the Threadheads and they can pick the winners on April 28th along with the rest of winners of the raffle.

This offer also goes out to those who have bought tickets already.

I promise I will not sell addresses, send you email you don’t need, show up on your doorstep, etc., etc,…( insert lawyer talk here)

Why Are You Doing This??

To provide an incentive for you to donate money to these causes.

I live a charmed life by most peoples standards. I travel all over the United States going to music festivals and concerts and lucky enough to have a job that affords me this luxury and much more.

But somewhere in New Orleans today, an elderly musician that I have probably listened to sometime in my 43 years on this earth will need medication.

Or a kid is trying to decide whether to pick up a trumpet or go run with a gang.

I am not trying to do a hard sell, but that is the reality of the situation. I know, I grew up there.

I love New Orleans with all my heart and the MusicRoadMan appreciates anything you can do to help these charities achieve their goals.

Ok, what are you waiting for…….

On behalf of the Threadheads living all over the world and the musicians and children of New Orleans, We Thank You…….