Greetings Dead Horse,

Thank you very much. I emailed the CFMA and received this response:

PRESS RELEASE
September 7, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO ALL MEDIA:

RE: Lafayette Music Alliance helping displaced New Orleans musicians


Attention all displaced New Orleans Musicians; help is just a phone call away. The Lafayette Music Alliance, in conjunction with MusiCares, an affiliate of the National Recording Academy (the Grammy folks) have bonded together to bring help, comfort and work to dislocated New Orleans musicians. Music Cares has earmarked $1,000,000 (one million) dollars to help musicians rebuild their lives. Start the ball rolling with one toll-free phone call to MusiCares (877) 626-2748 or visit the website www.musicares.com. After a short screening process, applications will be taken over the phone and help will soon be on the way to replace lost instruments or meet immediate personal housing, food and clothing needs.

The Lafayette Music Alliance also is providing a gathering area at 307 Downtown on Jefferson Street (337-262-0307) for musicians so that they can find lost friends, network on jobs and find support in our Lafayette community. There will be a message board and contact information displayed in the club so that musicians passing through Lafayette will be able to find lost band members or friends. Michael Delcambre and Robert Guercio, owners of the 307 Downtown, have also graciously offered to hire displaced New Orleans musicians for their 8:00 – 10:00 PM show hours. Other downtown music venues are also offering similar opportunities

The Lafayette Music Alliance is an umbrella organization formed from other groups that serve the needs of musicians. The Alliance is composed of the Southwest Louisiana Health and Education Center, Health Care for Musicians, Music Matters, Cajun French Music Association, KRVS, 307 Downtown, New Orleans Music Clinic (NOMC), MusiCares, Jazz Foundation of American, and Acadiana Arts Council. Our goal is to offer immediate assistance and comfort to displaced New Orleans musicians. These musicians have provided us with years of entertainment and joy and they are our cultural ambassadors. Let us now give back and help our brothers and sisters in need. Donations from the public are greatly needed and appreciated. Donation checks can be made to NOMC Emergency Fund and mailed to SWLAHEC, 103 Independence Blvd., Lafayette, La. 70506. For more information, contact the Southwest Louisiana Health and Education Center at 337-988-1583

I will lobby for this organization to receive the benefit of our efforts here.

PoppaGator: If you are still in NJ and wish to participate in this venture let me know. We are in Hudson County.

Peace,
Ed

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