More Emergency Sale Items

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 01:32 PM

The package stores have gotten quite enough of my business, Joe. I am Scotch/Polish, after all [/stereotype]

Believe me, gang, I am looking high and low... I know I have the love of my family; my wife knows my integrity and how diligently I am searching for a solution to our issues. I'm glad I have a place like this, too.

I dunno, but I think there's just something to be said for "folk music" when you realize that folk musicians are very often what I like to call "just folks". You know, regular people. The kind that ain't too proud to ask for help, thoughts, prayers, good vibes or what-have-you, and the kind that ain't too high-falutin' to offer same.

This place seems to be a microcosm of what the larger world should be like... sure, there's differences, disagreements and whatever, but once everyone gets around the living room and starts to pickin', we're all alright again, ain't it?

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Joe Offer
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 01:21 PM

...or a package store?


Oh, that's something else.

Best of luck to you, BBS.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 12:49 PM

I think it would be good to PM Genie if she is OK with that and ask er about her traveling elder shows.

Also, I wouldn't point it out to them specifically, but it is good for children to know you are going the last mile for them. Think of music as a supplement and keep looking for part-time for yourself and yourwife if she does notwork.

You mention being a great packer. Perhaps a mailing store could use your talents. mg

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: DonMeixner
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 12:20 PM

Where do you live Big? Have you a promo pack, demo tape, or disc?

Don

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 12:20 PM

What city are you in? Bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Crowhugger
Date: 27 Jul 11 - 12:13 PM

My cousin in NJ wants the guitar. Will PM the details.

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 03:51 PM

UPDATE: The banjo has been sold, pending the arrival of the funds.

Thanks to all (you know who you are) who have offered help, encouragement and suggestions for job searches, etc.

This truly is an amazing place... so many people with such wide ranges of knowledge, expertise and interests that they are willing to share.

God's peace to all of you, sincerely, from my heart.

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 12:12 PM

Howard, this isn't Social Security... they've already refused to deal with me once; their process will be starting again soon, I think.

This is our county's (and state's) Social Services board, and they are used to dealing with two kinds of people:

Non-English speaking immigrants who may or may not be illegal

and

Those who live in, ahem, "economically challenged" areas of the state, who, in my area, are usually people trying to 'milk' the system for every dollar they can get. I see them in the office waiting room by the several dozen, waiting for free money and food stamps while the women are wearing $100 sunglasses and the men have on $50 short-pants and $200 basketball shoes.

No, when I suggested once to a person at these offices that musical instruments would help me get work, they responded as a cross between grouchy parents and government bureaucrats: You'll never make enough money to live on as a musician, and if you have no income, we can't offer you assistance while you have assets of value. But if you go and play music, then you're working, so the amount of assistance you would receive would be drastically reduced.

See? It's garbage, plain and simple.

Thanks, though, for the encouragement.

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Melissa
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 04:25 AM

PM sent

Subject: RE: More Emergency Sale Items
From: Howard Jones
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 03:52 AM

I don't know how Socical Security works over there, but if you can demonstrate a record of paid gigging could you argue that the instruments are "tools of your trade"? It seems perverse for the social security system to deny you the opportunity to earn some money and come off benefits.

Subject: Another Emergency Sale
From: Big Ballad Singer
Date: 26 Jul 11 - 12:49 AM

More financial deadlines have forced the sale of the last of my working instruments. I simply cannot find enough paying gigs in my area, and the venues I can find are just too far away in terms of fuel cost and extra miles on the one car we own.

I've even been forced to sell instruments that were gifts and instruments that held some sentimental value.

All that said, here's the list of what's for sale. I will gladly ship these items; we can discuss overseas shipping (I'm in the US) by private message or email.

1) Yamaha FG400A acoustic guitar. Nice tone, medium-low action, new Martin SP strings. No cracks, breaks or warping, plays well. No case, but I pack my shipments like they're Waterford crystal. $125 shipped.

2) A non-labeled Japanese five-string banjo from the early to mid 1970s. Low action, good tone, LIGHT weight, even with its resonator. Fully-bound neck and resonator. Grover tuners on headstock, original geared 5th peg still in place. This is a nice banjo and would serve a beginner very well to learn on or provide a working player with a solid, well-made instrument. $150 shipped.

3) A set of handmade playing spoons, hand carved by Steve-somebody (His name is on the spoons, but they are in a box right now and I can't remember his last name). These are two hand-carved wooden spoons that are connected. They measure almost a foot long, are solidly made and give a good, loud tone. $15 shipped.

Again, there are no cases or bags with these instruments, but I pack extremely well (I once had a guitar collector tell me that he'd never seen an instrument packed more securely than the one I sent him, and that included ones sent from professional shops).

I'm doing everything I can to look for work, having been unemployed for 19 months now. Family members paying our mortgage represent the only reason we can keep our home. We simply would not be able to make it, even if both my wife and I could work, on the kind of money we'd make, not with three kids to feed.

According to our Social Services caseworker, if I kept any of the remaining gear I have, it would impact the amount of government assistance we receive (food stamps) because those things would be considered "assets of value".

Thanks for reading.