Support

[Phil Lackey]

Even though as a youth I lived in an argumentive,dysfuncional family,I still was allowe to be exposed to many things,therefore allowing me to form my own views and opinions. For all to understand I was taken to art exhibits,the art museum,went along with my father when he sketched portraits,and painted avrious signes for different stores/nightclubs/barbershops,and newspaper delivery trucks. Also I was allowed to take music class in schoo,and to have them pay for weekly private piano lessons. In our house we had 2 pianos.My father would be in the basement sketching/painting/doing sign work,and on his turntable(yes,a turntable)he would have on such artists as Miles Davis,Sonny Stitt,Coltrane,Cannonball,and many more. Upstairs my mpom would have on Al Green,James Brown,etc.When I got a little bit of money9 and finally a job),I bought my own system. Which had to include a turntable,and cassette deck. thru the years I made tapes,learned off of the radio,and went to concert to see my favorite artrists.later I went to some of the smaller nightcubs which featured live acts.i later met several different musicians who wanted to start a band.So I was formally a bass player(self taught). What I am trying to say is this. I was blessed to have a talent,fortunnate enough for my parents to at least spend money on me,and later for fellow musicians to give me a chance,which opened doors for me. I can remember not having any money,and a fellow musician,told the door man to let me in(he had me covered),and sometimes I even did roadie work for the the band. Still now I have passion for this thing called music,constantly trying to find out how the old cats did it(recording,touring,etc). I have no offspring to pass on my knowledge.I have been wanting to start a foundation for children who were not as fortunate as me,but want to not just like music.but embrace it. For them to know that most rap/hip-hop is now based on tracks done back in the day,by such artists as Miles Davis. That a true musician acn play the parts (or at least one instrument of it),and not sample.Yes some of the old,and new jazz is complicated,and even some old school R & B,but it's fun. It's fun to sit alone on your Bass,or Keyboard,and find yourself (after so many hours of )trying,playing Mr.Magic,or Street Life,or even Summertime. I would like to have myself and others provide Bass Guitars,and Electric Keyboards for them.They don't have to be expensive. You can buy a cheap bass for $100,or a cheap keyboard for $100. Would anyone like to give me feedback on this idea,or how to set it up?.Any feed back is greatly appreciated. Thanks.Phillip Lackey

[2SweetNSaxy]

I think it's a great idea and something worth persuing if that's where your heart is. The trick would be finding the right spot to begin pushing such a thing but I'm sure it can be done. If I were going to do something like this I would first start with a game plan of exactly what it is I want to accomplish and what I plan to do with donations received. Say you get the money? Who would would you be donating the instruments to? Would it be a community thing where you might also get musicians to volunteer time to teach? Would it just be to schools in need of instruments?

Once I figured out my goals I would set up my non-profit organization, start a webpage with a paypal account of some type to accept donations. You might do fund raisers, small concerts of musicians willing to donate a little time to your cause. There are so many things you can do if you just let your imagination run with it.

First, set your goals in mind so when you speak to people they know exactly what you have in mind and know this isn't just some fly-by-night idea not thought out. And go for it! If you need help with a web page when you're ready, let me know.