Song Painter, the music CD you have had the pleasure of watching be born over the last year will be ready for duplication in a week or two.

Pierre tells me the remasterd tracks will be ready the in first week after Thanksgiving.

There are 12 songs by Joe Rees, Dave Grinley and myself. Joe Rees even added a vocal track to one of my instramentals. Art work for the CD was created by John Deaton. (and not to forget Mark Fair who coined the "Song Painter" title.)

Some of you have had preview copies to play at Letterhead meets. Those preview copies didn't include all the songs. Everyone has told us they have been quite impressed with our efforts.

You are going to have a great deal of fun listening to this 45 minute CD while your work in your sign shop. I play it everyday in the shop, it gets me fired up and in a happy mood to start the day.

When we first started this project, we were hammered by skeptics who said this was "all talk and no show". For a while, I was worried they were right.

This project first started back in 1998 with the release of 1 song, "Keepers Of The Craft", and then came alive again one year ago when a question on this board asked for a tally of sign folk who play or write music. I saw a chance to realize a life long dream of a putting together collection of music, original music, written by people who make a living in the sign profession.

There are many of our sign "brothers and sisters" who have these musical talents. They have expressed a desire to be a part of the Song Painter project, but the difficulties in getting a song into the recording studio is a real obstical. Coupled with the fact that these people hold thier musical creations very dear to their heart in a private sort of way, which means risking criticism by their peers. We hope that Song Painter will convince them to lay these fears aside and contribute to Song Painter 2.

The proceeds of the sale of the Song Painter CD minus production expenses will be given to a charity that YOU get to name. At one time, the money generated by the sale of the CD was going to go into the Letterville Community Chest for improvements to the web site. It seemed fair since letterhead.com was letting us promote and advertise this for FREE.

Then the terroist attack on the WTC back in September prompted the owners of letterhead.com, the Shortreed family, to suggest the proceeds go to the families of those lost. Now we see that the RED CROSS in New York has managed to mis-manage the millions of dollars intended for those families. So, I would like to propose that we all make suggestions as to where we would like the proceeds to go, then vote on it.

When you contribute money to this "charity", to be voted on by the residents and visitors of "Letterville", then you will be sent a copy of the Song Painter CD.

Your comments and suggestions are welcome. Please post them below.

For those that have heard the Song Painter demo, please tell the folks here what they can expect to experience when their copy of Song Painter arrives.

As for the money...
I still prefer the money goes to this web site.
If not here, there are gazillion charities that are struggling from lack of funds after so many donors diverted their giving to the various funds related to the attacks of 911.

Do ya plan to go ahead with sales/distribution of the CD while we debate the final destination of the profits?
I would, it may take some time to reach a consensus here. I would like to order the CD and don't really care where the profits go.

I'm looking forward to this!

Here's a new thought...how about starting a Scolarship Fund...letting the money set in escrow and gather interest (this will take a board of trustees I'm sure) Then once or twice a year bring a young person (under 25) to a major Letterhead meet,as a guest of honor.(all ticket costs payed to and from)possibly a small travel expense account (to cover meals etc.)

We could bring youngsters from other countries to Canada or the U.S. or vice versa someone from there to OZ or Europe.

Doesn't matter what affiliation they have (Paint or Vinyl/Designer or Craftsman)

What beter way to introduce new blood to our trade.

Whadaya think?

I've been thinking about this for some time but never could come up with a way to fund it.

If this is not the way...anyone that has a thought on another way to fund this endeavor I really feel like this would be a worth while cause.

Consider it please!

[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]

I also want to Override the Mayors decision and give the money to this site. But I think the decision should be between the people producing it & contributing to it.

They are the people who are actually " working " and they should have the final word on were their paycheck goes.

It really shouldn't be up to me to tell you were to send your profits made upon your efforts.

I will respect your decisions

PS. how much & how soon

[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: Bob Rochon ]

I'll post it another day on it's own merit and see if there would be any interest!

Good luck on this project anyway...hope you find a good cause.

[ November 23, 2001: Message edited by: Monte Jumper ]

Just checking back in to view comments.

Monte, I think your idea is a great one. Let's keep this idea in the mix and see what others suggest. Then we will all take a vote on it.

Keep your ideas coming as to a cause the majority of us would feel comfortable with supporting.

Is it $15? And does that include mailing?

Do we make checks payable to you, Pierre, Letterhead.com? and what address do we send them to?

If it's getting pretty close to Christmas and the purchase is for a gift, can we have have it sent directly to a third party?

but...

why not set a portion of the funds be placed into escrow for low interest emergency loans or grants for the folks like Rick Sacks (if needed) to help get em back on their feet.

Let the remainder help support the site.

and let Steve monitor it.