First I would like to say thanks to all who have shown concern over this episode, and who have given me and the band their support either with well wishes or offers of use of equipment, and those actively assisting in the recovery of our tools.

Richard Carr in Montreal really stepping up for someone he really doesn't know, by posting our stolen gear online and circulating the list in Montreal to pawn shops, music stores, and musicians and collectors. Thank you again Richard.

Here is what happened...

We arrived on Friday July 4th, at 3:00 p.m. at La Tour Centre-Ville Hotel 400 René Levesque Blvd.-west in Montreal to play the Montreal International Jazz Festival. After checking in I asked where would a safe place be to put my van. I was informed that their parking garage was too small for my van, I was then told to go three blocks to the Hilton "they might have room for you there." When I went to move the van from the front of the hotel, I noticed the small private lot that was very visible from the street next to the hotel. I went in to ask an employee who the lot belonged too, I was informed that it was a secure lot provided for the managerial staff of the hotel and that if there was a space available I could park there because they had a surveillance camera in the lot and it would be the safest place to put my van.

Saturday morning at around 9:30 a.m. i went to get my van from the "Secure" lot. It was nowhere to be seen. I asked the hotel clerk if they had my van towed, they assured me that if it was towed it would have been them who called it in, and they most assuredly had not called for a tow truck. To be sure, they called all the tow companies in the city. In the mean time I walked back to where my van had been parked (less then 50 yards from the front entrance of hotel). It was then that I noticed the bent radio antenna lying on the ground which was clearly used to gain access to my van; I knew right then my van had been stolen. I went back in and the Manager on duty swore to me that he saw my van at 8:30 a.m. when he arrived for work. The manager called for the police, while we waited I suggested that we look at the surveillance camera tape to see if the theft had been recorded. While rewinding the tape and playing it forward it was discovered that the tape had not been changed, and the last recording was of Wednesday evening sometime the 2nd of July! The police arrived, I gave them my statement and description of the van and our equipment that was gone. The only instruments that survived were Gerry's mandolin and my Les Paul which were in the hotel rooms.

After renting a car at 2:00 p.m. we were off to do the Ottawa Blues Fest (130 miles away), our set was scheduled for 4:30 p. m. After a few frantic calls between the Ottawa people and myself, I assured them I would be there, and they told me they would have all the gear we would need. We arrived at 4:15 p.m. and true to their word they had a bass, another guitar, drum sticks and cables for us to use. We had another gig in Ottawa at the Rainbow Bistro on Sunday July 6th, and the great staff at the Ottawa Blues Fest loaned us a piano and bass amp for the gig!! I can't thank Mark Monahan, the festival director, and his assistant Sara Pitters-Caswell for their generosity and assistance with our needs! J.W. Jones came through with a few amps, cables, tuner and guitar and a bass for us, and Art and Mannie from the Polaras donated a drum set and hardware and a few more guitars for our use at the gig. I had never met Mannie or Art, and had only met J.W. one time at the Cincinnati Blues fest a year ago. I can't believe the kindness and generosity we received from these people.

On Monday we headed to my wife Kate's family. They were all up visiting relatives in the Ottawa area; Kate, my daughter, Kate's sister Mary and two of her daughters, Kate's mother, father and brother were all vacationing at a lakeside summer home. They made room for four more for a couple days, and Mary offered her mini van for our transportation to our next gig and back home. I made few calls to line up some gear for a gig in Grand Rapids, MI. on Wednesday the 9th. We relaxed for a day and a half at the family's place, ate some good food and drank some good beer before we had to leave on Tuesday evening for the drive to Grand Rapids.

I would like to thank Hank Mowery for spearheading the gear donation for our gig at the "Blues On The Mall" in Grand Rapids, and for the use of his amplifier and harp mic. Jr. Valentine donated a guitar, a bass, a bass amp and cabinet, a guitar amp and some cables, Doug "Preacher Man" loaned us a drum set and hardware, Eddie(?) brought us an electric piano, and Dan "O" loaned me a Les Paul and a tuner. I am forever grateful to these good people and fellow musicians. Thanks!

Today I received word that my van had been recovered. There is no word on how bad a shape it is in other than it was described in the police recovery report as "in dis-array". I also found out that none of the gear was in the vehicle when it was discovered. I am waiting to hear from an insurance agent as to what kind of damage has been done to my van, and how I will get it back home.

Again I can't thank everyone enough who stepped up to help us out, and to all those who have thought enough of us to send us an email or give us a call with there sympathies and offers of assistance. I am truly thankful to all of you!!

Thanks,

Nick,