"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]

Thank you suh!**

[Firebrand]

OK...some news along the way...

...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]

Hey Pete..thanks bro...

...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]

Update

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]

I got a delayed response from Peavey today...

....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.