"Battle of the Bands" Prizes Sought

[Firebrand]

Folks,

I am the sponsor of our high school's "Guitar Club," which boasts about 150 members (I've taught radio & TV production for the last 16 years, was the system Teacher of the Year this year and a finalist for STATE TOY, too!!..but I digress). All of the kids have to do a community service project, and they have come up with holding a 'Battle of the Bands' event to benefit the South Georgia Animal Shelter (which is a pretty good group to support).

I am an old shredder from the 80's, but pretty much out of touch with any gear or companies that might be able to help me put together some cool prizes to give away to the winners of such an event in exchange for their being listed as the sponsors of the event.

This will be the first time ever anyone has tried something like this around here...and I'll admit I was skeptical to begin with. Well, lo and behold if the kids haven't sold nearly 2,000 tickets at $3 a head for this thing...and still more coming!! So, we are going to be able to make a $6,000-$7,000 contribution to help these folks help these poor animals (one of the jobs on this earth I simply cannot imagine having to do every day and keep my sanity).

If you can steer me to anyone you think might be good to contact in regard to some gear, please shoot me an email to ryoung@thomas.k12.ga.us and let me know how to get in touch with them.

Roth Army, as one who is proud to be counted amongst your ranks, I salute you!!

[PETE'S BROTHER]

i sent this to an animal forum we are part of. gettin' the word out.

[Firebrand]

[Firebrand]

...we got an email this morning from Mighty Moe Ampstraps that they are going to send a few of their straps, so we are moving!!

I need a guitar and/or an amp...doesn't have to be anything wonderful, but something that kids would be excited about.

Anyway, the cupboard isn't as bare as it was yesterday!!!

[Nitro Express]

I would contact Peavey Electronics. They have been known to be pretty generous in that regard.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

i had one lady try ta email ya and she said it didn't work? she's forwarding me info

[Firebrand]

...and if you will, try this email:

nomercyjacket@gmail.com

Thanks a bunch...and about Peavey, anyone have any contact information along those lines??

FWIW, I've contacted Neal Moser, who is an old bud of mine who built the guitar I have had since 1980. I don't know if he'll be able to help, but again, hey, at least it's a start.

[Firebrand]

I have written three guitar companies (including Peavey), and all have said they would love to help, but..........times being what they are, they can't.

I understand that, but man, I am really going to be aggravated at myself if I can't come up with something to at least properly approach a decent reward for what these kids are trying to pull off. If I have to come out of my pocket to buy something, I will...acoustic, amp, whatever. I just don't have any 'insider' contacts to utilize.

Again guys, any help would be greatly appreciated...and as always, thanks.

[GAR]

I have some "buy one / get one" Happy Meal coupons from McDonald's I'd be willing to part with..

[jhale667]

Try your local music retailers, then the chains...got any radio & TV contacts you can dig up from the past?

[Firebrand]

....it was kind of vague, but a response is a response.

I wonder if Dave and the boys could contribute something????

[GAR]

Fuck the animals, Firebrand. The kids need the money more than the mutts!

If you can't find 10percent to go directly to the kids in some way, you're a fucking knob dude.

Kids have so much to deal with these days, its chaos. Battle of the Bands contests should always have a top prize worthy of something.. what about a $500 gift card from somewhere?

Why don't you try hitting up every fucking online retailer for giftcard donations for your top winners? Or something for every entrant.. kids first. Mutts last!

[standin]

Hold them to it. Get a commitment. These "kids" are going to be their costumers one day possible, if they treat them right, if not they will buy off then net.
The prizes should be coming from people these kids will be dealing with for the next year, two years or longer.
BTW, Why would your local music store be thumbing their nose up to a battle of the bands? With how many tickets have you sold? That is not very logical of them. 2000 possible tambourine and harmonica buyers, along with 150 known wanta be guitar players. That is not logical. Go press them. How many local music shops are in your town? If there is enough in your town for you to be being brushed off, there is enough in your town for one to want some 2100 guaranteed eyes on their name.

Unless you are asking for a $1000's of dollars worth of equipment, there is no logical reason to turn you down. Some local music store will want their name on the banner to a fresh batch of naive buyers.

[GAR]

How many local music shops are in your town?

It's been a really, really bad 2 years for the struggling musical instrument retailers. I'm not surprised even Peavey turned 'em down..

[standin]

Come on, Gar. You know there is dusty starter equipment that kids would be thrilled with and the shop could fully mark up in cost. S/he would need to make sure it went through a proper 501, but that should be happening anyway.

[Diamondjimi]

It's been a really, really bad 2 years for the struggling musical instrument retailers. I'm not surprised even Peavey turned 'em down..

Hey Assmunch. Why not donate a couple of things from vast "collection" that you have in your imaginary warehouse.

[GAR]

I'm not shipping guitars to Georgia.

And folks, this guys' a teacher, not a proper 501-nonprofit. He's doing this for the kennel. Or the kids. I'm not sure.. but his hearts in the right place I think.

[kwame k]

Clay, give 'em your lead guitar from back in the day...like Eddie did for Dimebag....give the children more than your piss for once.....give 'em Lucille.

[kwame k]

Sorry Firebrand...I couldn't help myself....

I hope someone will step up to the plate and get you guys something good.

[GAR]

give 'em your lead guitar from back in the day..

if it wasn't stolen.. duh

[ZahZoo]

....it was kind of vague, but a response is a response.

I wonder if Dave and the boys could contribute something????

You could try to contact EVH via his web-site contact at evhgear.com or also try Michaels contact at madanthonycafe.com. Mikey might send you some hot sauce...

Your best bet might be through the Fender Music Foundation... they do a lot of promotions for music within schools. Here's their contact page. Foundation - contact us

[Firebrand]

...which every club in our school has to do. So, we are just tying the "BOB" to the Humane Society, which I really don't have a problem with...but I do get your point 100%. If this REALLY goes well, we may try to organize something independent in the summer...but with this being the first one, I figured it was good to have that tie-in.

As far as 501c-3 is concerned, any contribution to a public school is considered a contribution to a non-profit, since the schools themselves are not for-profit entities (that's such a fun word).

I've written the EVH folks, and am waiting to hear back from Fender. The main thing is just finding something really cool to use for a grand prize...and like I said, if I need to come out of my pocket to help on it, so be it. It matters that much to me and obviously to the younguns.

[Firebrand]

...nothing yet from EVH or Fender. We'll see...and I'll keep y'all posted.

[PETE'S BROTHER]

...which every club in our school has to do. So, we are just tying the "BOB" to the Humane Society, which I really don't have a problem with...but I do get your point 100%. If this REALLY goes well, we may try to organize something independent in the summer...but with this being the first one, I figured it was good to have that tie-in.

As far as 501c-3 is concerned, any contribution to a public school is considered a contribution to a non-profit, since the schools themselves are not for-profit entities (that's such a fun word).

I've written the EVH folks, and am waiting to hear back from Fender. The main thing is just finding something really cool to use for a grand prize...and like I said, if I need to come out of my pocket to help on it, so be it. It matters that much to me and obviously to the younguns.

gar is such a dick.