when i received the news early on november 4, that dj melodic was hospitalized, ofcourse my initial reactions were shock followed by sadness.  then once i started mobilizing some folks to go to the hospital, the chain of reaction was enormous!  everyone who had been touched by melodic, personally or through his dj-ing was curious and most immediately offered help.  nick cooper from the free radicals arrived at the hospital on the second day and he was the first to mention "benefit".  tina zulu was in the room, and within minutes of nick's utterance, the mobilization was on!

it took a tremendous amount of work to pull off an event as big as we had on sunday the 16th.  i am so eager to credit tina zulu for pulling it all together, but she would be really quck to remind me that there were many others involved.  the generosity that houston has become known for (see hurricane katrina, see hurricane ike, and many other examples) is really heart-warming. thank you!, houston!!...
melodic was definitely and visibly touched by all of it.  he was able to attend and stayed til the end (though he probably should have gone home to rest, earlier).  since then i have spoken with him and he has been in bed for most of the last 4 days, resting and recuperating.

thank you, houston! i feel really good about being part of this community that supports soular grooves the way it does and that comes out to take care of one of their own...