Press release from my friend Stella at The Yale
Jun 23, 2010 Events, Fundraising, Press Releases
I am so grateful for the Yale for not only giving us the venue for the upcoming event, but also to Stella, who has worked really hard in putting together a polished press release, that will be going out to all press this week. So thank you Stella!
I’ve included the press release for everyone to read. Looking forward to the show, the musicians that are performing are very happy to be involved and all are donating their time.
Karl, we love you!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 21, 2010
FULL WATTAGE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR KARL WATT
VANCOUVER, BC – A fundraiser for the Friends of Karl Watt will be held at The Yale on Wednesday, July 28 from 6-9pm. This three-hour concert that is coming straight from the heart will feature performances by former band mates and musicians Jonathan Todd, Johnny DeMarco, The Jardines, and Stonebolt.
In 2006, BC drummer Watt was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Four years later, Watt has gone from a non-stop active musician, to a person confined to a wheelchair with no use of his limbs.
Founded by local singer/songwriter Cherelle Jardine and high-school friend Achim Klor, the Friends of Karl Watt helps to raise funds necessary for Watt’s home care, while generating awareness about his fight against the disease.
Watt who has played with countless local musicians over the years is now faced with monthly costs of more than $5,000 for home care, which includes 24-hour supervision. Unfortunately, BC’s health care system only allows a maximum of four hours of home care daily.
“We want to make a difference for Karl by giving him some much needed funding so he can beat this thing. He can’t do it alone,” says Achim Klor. “I believe he would trade any of our worst days just to get back on his kit again. Our hope is that we can help him do that,” he adds.
Tickets to the Full Wattage Benefit in aid of Karl Watt are $40 in advance or at the door. Advance tickets are available by contacting
- Cherelle Jardine – 604-306-0632 or by email at cherellejardine@shaw.ca
- John Hansen – 604-970-9722 or by email at chugger5@shaw.ca
All proceeds go to the Karl Watt Trust Fund. Doors open at 5pm. Show starts at 6pm. Those who wish to make a donation, can do so by visiting www.karlwatt.com or donating at the event.
For more information on this and other upcoming Yale events, call 604-681-9253 or visit www.theyale.ca. The Yale is conveniently located at 1300 Granville Street in downtown Vancouver.
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Media Contact
Stella Panagiotidis, Marketing Manager
The Yale Hotel
Tel: 604-681-9253, ext #3
Fax: 604-681-9353
E-mail: stella@theyale.ca
Web: www.theyale.ca
Tags: ALS, benefit, drummer, FullWattage, Johnny DeMarco, Jonathan Todd, Karl Watt, Lou Gehrig's disease, Stonebolt, The Jardines, The Yale
Where does the money go?
Jun 9, 2010 Donations, Fundraising, Updates
The short answer… ALL OF IT goes to Karl
I just want to be crystal clear about where our donations and fund-raising dollars go. Like I mentioned above, all of the money this project generates goes directly towards funding Karl’s home care.
The 24-hr home care that Karl needs is very costly… $5,000 per month. Our health care system only provides a fraction of that (only 4 hrs a day). That’s a huge burden on Karl’s parents, especially when you consider they are retired pensioners.
The FullWattage Benefit funds
Thanks to Cherelle Jardine’s effort and connections, the fine folks at the The Yale have graciously donated their facility and equipment at no cost to us. That means every penny from every ticket goes directly to Karl.
Future fund-raising events will be handled the same way.
No one gets paid
Everyone that is working on this project is a volunteer. No one gets paid. No one. The FullWattage Benefit at The Yale is totally pro bono. None of the bands are getting paid. The Yale will only make money on the sales of food and drinks.
All the effort and money that went into setting up and hosting the websites, organizing the events, and creating the marketing is all pro bono. That also includes any future marketing efforts.
PayPal and Bank Accounts
Currently we have a PayPal account set up in trust for Karl. It will be controlled by Misty, Karl’s mom. Eventually we will have a Trust Fund set up through Misty’s bank and then donating will be a little easier and more direct (for those that prefer that method over PayPal).
Hope that clears up some questions about money.
Please let us know if you need more info.
Tags: cost, Donations, FullWattage, Fundraising, health care, home care, Karl Watt, money, The Yale
Yale Gig
Jun 9, 2010 Events, Fundraising
The gig at the Yale is going to be a really fun time as well as raise much needed funds for Karl. The Yale not only is giving us their venue, but also donating 500.00 towards the fundraising that will go directly to Karl.
I wanted to give you a little insight into the bands that are donating their time.
Jonathan Todd is an up and coming talented peformer. I just produced his EP at the Soundlounge Studio. His music is alt/roots and has he has been dubbed the new Steve Earle. You can find out more about him and listen to his music at http://www.myspace.com/jonathantoddmusic
Johnny DeMarco is a songwriter/performer that knows the value of a well crafted song. Be it a ballad soundtrack or a rocker, Johnny’s powerful melodic and anthem oriented, radio ready songs are jammed packed with attitude, honesty and integrity. http://www.johnnydemarco.net
The Jardines are Cherelle and Ajaye Jardine, a mother daughter band from Richmond BC.The Cherelle and Ajaye combination is a delicious mixture of street smarts and innocence.Their life experiences are meshed together, giving the listener an ageless body of work to fall in love with.The Jardines new self titled cd is now available on www.thejardinesband.com
Stonebolt Formed in the late sixties, Stonebolt was the brainchild of Vancouver natives guitarist Ray Roper, drummer Brian Lousley and Danny Atchison on bass. Originally called Perth Amboy, they honed their chops playing practically every small venue in the Vancouver area. They recruited John Webster on keyboards and brought in David Wills, formerly of the Seattle-based group Shaker on vocals in 1973.Individually, the members kept busy with their own side projects until 1997. With the emergence of the classic rock festival, Stonebolt reunited for what was supposed to be a one-time gig. But after being met by rave reviews and rabid fans, they’d come full circle and found there was once again a home for cleverly-written rock and roll with an edge. REGENERATION was put out that year and featured a mix of the band’s classics, including “I Will Still Love You” “Queen Of The Night” “Don’t Ya Hide It” and “Going Through The Motions Of Love” and three new songs, “Let’s Go Back” “Extra Mile” and “The Love I Found”.
Tags: ALS, FullWattage, Fundraising, Johnny DeMarco, Jonathan Todd, Karl Watt, Stonebolt, The Jardines, The Yale