Help on the Way LA, the wildfire relief initiative launched by beloved guitarist and producer Eric Krasno in partnership with Song Summit Foundation and Fandiem, is rallying musicians and fans to provide urgent support to children and musicians who have lost everything following the recent wildfires in the Los Angeles area. A new fundraising campaign launched on Tuesday will give fans the chance to bid on and win guitars and other memorabilia donated and signed by Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon (Phish), Billy Strings, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Widespread Panic, Warren Haynes, Bob Weir, John Mayer, Zac Brown, Wynonna Judd, Oteil Burbridge, Stewart Copeland, John Scofield, Mick Fleetwood, Grahame Lesh, Duane Betts, Ross James, and many more.
Help on the Way LA was created in response to the widespread destruction caused by the Altadena wildfires, which displaced families, destroyed homes, and left entire communities struggling to rebuild. Late last month, Krasno gathered an all-star cast of musicians for a Help On The Way LA benefit concert at The Lodge Room in LA’s Highland Park neighborhood that raised more than $15,000—but, as he wrote in a post following the performance, “We are just getting started.”
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Eric Krasno explained the new auction and sweepstakes in a press release, “As many of you know, our neighborhood was nearly destroyed by the Eaton fire. My son’s school burned, and countless friends lost their homes and surrounding community. In the midst of the madness, I decided to reach out to friends in the music community to raise some money and help those in need. In partnership with Song Summit Foundation we started Help On The Way LA. Right away so many amazing artists got involved and signed instruments, photos and merch that we will be up for auction and sweepstakes through Fandiem following our benefit show at the Lodge Room in LA. So far we have signed guitars from Dave Matthews, Billy Strings, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Warren Haynes, Trey Anastasio, John Scofield and many others plus signed photos from Bob Weir, Mike Gordon and a list of other items being added.” Browse the various items available or place a bid here.
He continued, “Our beneficiaries include the Pasadena Boys & Girls Club, which has been providing mental health and physical support to displaced children/families and hundreds of children who lost their schools in the fires, as well as Sweet Relief Musicians Fund, which is assisting musicians who lost their homes and instruments. … I wanna send a Huge thanks to the massive generosity from Gibson Guitars, Beth Heidt, D’Angelico Guitars, Justin Friedman, Jay Blakesberg for the amazing prints, and of course Song Summit, Ross James, and Fandiem for helping put this all together.”
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Added Paige Anderson, founder of Song Summit Foundation, “We believe in the power of music to bring people together, heal, and create real impact. The devastation caused by the LA fires has left so many in need, and as a foundation dedicated to using music for wellness and community support, we feel compelled to act. This benefit concert and auction will not only raise critical funds for those affected but also serve as a reminder of the strength and resilience that music can inspire in times of crisis.”
Bids and entries will go live Wednesday, March 5th at 11:00 a.m. ET and run through 8:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 19th. Items up for auction and available as sweepstakes prizes as part of the Help on the Way LA fundraising initiative include:
- Trey Anastasio (Phish)–Signed D’Angelico Guitar
- Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi–Signed Gibson SG Standard ‘61 Stop Bar Guitar
- Dave Matthews–Signed Breedlove Discovery S Concert CE Edge Burst Guitar
- Mike Gordon (Phish)–Signed Jay Blakesberg Prints of Mike Gordon and Phil Lesh from July 17, 2016
- Billy Strings–Signed Gibson Acoustic Hummingbird Standard Guitar
- Gibson Les Paul Studio Modern Guitar signed by Mick Fleetwood, John Mayer, Zac Brown, Wynona Judd, Sierra Ferrell, Marcus King & More
- Gibson ES-355 Guitar signed by Rick Mitarotonda (Goose), Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend), Jeff Chimenti, Duane Betts & More
- Warren Haynes–Signed Gibson Les Paul Standard ’50s Plain Top Guitar
- Widespread Panic–Signed Yamaha F335 Acoustic Guitar
- John Scofield–Signed Ibanez JSM100VT John Scofield Signature Guitar
- Eric Krasno–Signed D’Angelico Premiere Brighton Guitar
- Bob Weir–Signed Jay Blakesberg Photo or Chloe Weir Print
- Joe Bonamassa–Signed D’Angelico Premier DC Boardwalk Guitar
- Dawes–Signed D’Angelico Premier Bedford Guitar
- And many more…
More prizes and exclusive opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks, keeping the fundraising efforts alive just as the LA community’s need for assistance continues beyond the news cycle. Check out the available items and enter the sweepstakes or place an auction bid via HelpOnTheWayLA.org.
Eric Krasno, Ross James, and many more will also come together at New Orleans, LA’s The Joy Theater during Jazz Fest for A Dream We Dreamed: A New Orleans Tribute to Phil Lesh on Thursday, May 1st. The all-star homage to the late Grateful Dead bassist will also feature moe.’s Vinnie Amico, Rob Derhak, and Al Schnier in addition to Duane Betts, Jennifer Hartswick, Jay Lane, Aron Magner, Ivan Neville, George Porter Jr., Karina Rykman, and Nicki Bluhm. Get tickets here.
