Dana told me that Les was a big Morphine fan, and that he sometimes performed Honey White in his set.  Well, Les was playing in Boston withe his latest project, and he stopped by HI-N-DRY to record with Billy, Dana, and Jerome.  We had an idea of trying to get folks to come by the studio and record for the Tribute recordings, but Les was the first to accept.   I can't tell you what a jolt of confidence his acceptance gave us here at the Project- maybe we had finally found a conduit to reach Mark's audience and expand people's awareness of his songs.  I also can't say enough about Les (and crew) who, besides being a great guy, understood the whole point of the recording implicitly,  and was totally in the spontaneous spirit of the session. Couple of hours, minimal overdubbing, just do it.  And, man, he did it. 

We are honored and moved by the Alcazar Hotel's contribution to this summer's Tribute Recordings.  Of their own initiative the band, and a group of friends and collaborators recorded "Tomorrow" by Mark Sandman and filmed the making of it.  It's an amazingly generous and beautiful addition to our Tribute, and we hope that it inspires others to help ouot in any way you can.  We are, and hope to be, all about kids and music.  we're in our infancy and still finding our legs though, and most of our time right now is taken up trying to pay the rent.  We have great programs on tap, and this fall should be a very productive time.

This from our friend, Tony:

 

It's hard to believe it was ten years ago today when I got the news of Mark's passing. 

Someone has pointed out to us that Sandbox was over-priced on some websites...you can purchase that album/dvd, as well as the rest of our catalogue at Hi-n-Dry.com. No middleman, straight from the source...
 
Thanks for your on-going support of the music of Hi-n-Dry...
peace--Sandman Music Project/Hi-n-Dry

Overview Of the Mark Sandman Music Project

The Mark Sandman Music Project (formerly the Mark Sandman Music Education Fund) is a not-for-profit community-based organization dedicated to bringing children and music together to foster recreational, educational, and artistic goals. The Project's after-school, evening and weekend programs will offer ensemble music instruction, teach song and lyric writing skills, provide classes in music recording and production, and stage regular performing events showcasing the achievements of the children.

The Project was founded in the memory of Mark Sandman, a Cambridge resident and internationally acclaimed performer and songwriter, best known for his work in Morphine. The Project has a unique opportunity to expand its reach and functionality by securing a studio and offices in the newly renovated Somerville Armory Arts Center. Through the generosity and civic-mindedness of Joseph and Nabil Sater, the owners of the Middle East Restaurant and nightclub in Cambridge, the Armory is being renovated as an arts center, and the Project's new facility will provide practice rooms, a recording studio, and access to a spacious performance facility.

The future of music education in the public school systems in Massachusetts is imperiled by budget cuts and competition for children's time from other activities. The Project stands for the belief that a child's participation in music, whether by playing an instrument, singing, or by being an educated listener and fan, is a positive and socializing activity with life-long benefits. In a social climate where budgets for school arts programs have been reduced or eliminated, the Project seeks to offer children a fun and rewarding experience creating music.

The Project is 100% dedicated to its musical mission. Besides the staff and Board of the Project, many well-known and dedicated local musicians will be participating in forwarding our goals. The HI-N-DRY musical community, comprised of some of the finest bands and artists in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, is the driving force behind the Project. The principals of HI-N-DRY have donated over $100,000 of recording and musical equipment to completely outfit the studio. HI-N-DRY Recordings, the record label that was founded in the memory of Mark Sandman, will be operating on-site, and will be donating a portion of all proceeds to the project. HI-N-DRY members will manage and run the studio for the project's benefit.

The Armory Arts Center will be a rich and stimulating environment for the Project's programs to flourish. The Armory will house artists and arts groups of all types, including dance companies, visual artists, and artisans. The Armory has a large Performance Hall and a café. The Project's approximately 2000 sq. ft space is on the lower level, and includes office, meeting, recording, performance, and rehearsal areas. The environment will be unlike any other currently available to children in Somerville. The Program's participants will be members of a vibrant and active artistic community. The community of musicians and instructors from which the Sandman Music Project will recruit its staff recognizes and embraces the artistic and social benefits of musical collaboration.


The Project's Target Population

Although the Armory Arts Center is located in Somerville, the Project is planning to take applicants for programs from all surrounding communities. The recruitment process for applicants will be aggressive in the sense that the Project seeks to be more than simply "available"; but rather seeks to actively attract artistically curious children, teachers, and mentors through solicitations, referrals, collaboration with established arts groups, and advertising. The Project and HI-N-DRY have tremendous contacts and outreach into the community and we expect a great response to a call for participants.

The target population includes:
• Schools
• Youth groups that do not have a music component
• Community arts programs
• Pilot programs
• Community and neighborhood groups
• Established music programs without rehearsal or performance facilities

Program Information
From 2000 until 2006 the Sandman Music Project existed as the Mark Sandman Music Education Fund. The Fund provided money for school programs to purchase instruments, and brought the participants and their instructors to the HI-N-DRY studio in Cambridge to record their projects. With the opportunity to secure a facility of its own in the Armory Arts Center, the Board decided to revisit the mission (and the name) of the Fund. The newly re-energized Sandman Music Project will offer a wide range of hands-on activities designed to introduce children to the benefits and fun of participating in music.
A progressive attitude and curriculum will stress participation and group interaction. The programs will emphasize fun and healthy group interaction. No genre of music will be ignored, and lack of skill will not exclude a participant. An uncertain candidate may be inclined to participate because he or she can do it with friends. A child does not have to be interested in formal music education to benefit from what the Project offers. All equipment will be provided. The Sandman Music Project is founded on the belief that music is best enjoyed as a participatory event. The child who participates in the Project's programs will learn that playing music, at whatever level one can, is something that one can always enjoy.

After-school, evening and weekend programs will offer:
• The use of practice rooms, a recording studio, and professional performing facilities.
• Use of musical instruments and equipment
• Ensemble instrument instruction,
• Song and lyric writing workshops
• Classes in music recording and production
• Performing events showcasing the achievements of the children.


Methods of attracting attention and recruiting will include:
• Print advertising
• Store window postering and handbills
• Media co-buys in local newspapers and magazines for events
• Radio/Television sponsorships
• Broadcast to email lists
• Promotion and publicity campaign with mailings.
• A monthly online newsletter
• Production of CDs for general distribution and placement
• Web site and Myspace page
• Links with schools and community organizations