The Vulcan Thing To Do

Greetings,

Just for tonight, I'm going to take something Mr. Spock said and reverse it. Just this once, the needs of the one outweigh the needs of the many. Tonight Gruhn Guitars is sponsoring Band Together for Butch to help mandolinist Butch Baldassari and his family during this time of his battle with cancer. The event is happening right now at Vanderbilt University's Blair School of Music. A long list of bluegrass greats is slated to perform.

Since a lot of us can't get down to Music City for the event, the fine folks at Gruhn provided me with this information for those of you who might like to make a contribution:

Donations may be mailed to Blakemore United Methodist Church, 2021 21st Ave. South, Ste. 207, Nashville TN 37212, to the attention of Barnabas Ministry. On the check memo line, note "Baldassari family." All of that money goes directly to the family as a gift.

Butch Baldassari is very highly regarded not only for his playing but his compositions and teaching as well. Despite his place on the Blair School faculty he is not tenured, but he took his role there no less seriously. He has also contributed widely to compilations of all kinds both on his own and as a ringleader of the beloved Nashville Mandolin Ensemble.

Back in March, Butch noticed he was having unusual trouble with some fingerings along with a few other simple tasks. Doctors discovered a large brain tumor. Surgery was not likely to be an option when the long road to treatment began.

Consider a gift in thanks for all Butch has done and in support of and hope for the future. You'll be glad you boldly went.

Where No Mandolin Has Gone Before (especially for fans of Captain Kirk)

Performed by the Nashville Mandolin Ensemble on their cd, Plectrasonics.