Here’s a holiday shopping idea that can do us all some good.
This month you buy some music from this site. I’ll donate 100% of all of our music sales in December to a fund set up to help the family of the late Dan Schoen here in Denver.
You already have my stuff? Buy some for your pals and loved ones through a cool gift-giving option in our music section.
Dan was my first music fan when I moved here in 1995. He died unexpectedly a few weeks ago from a brain aneurysm. He was just 46. He left behind his wife Debra and their 6-year-old daughter.
Shall we have a collective George Bailey moment this Christmas? Chip in and buy some songs at www.martyjones.net.
I first met Dan back in 1995. I was new to town, felt lost here, and had just played my first gig in Denver. A frightening (for me and the crowd) solo show opening for the then not-so-famous Slim Cessna’s Auto Club. (Thanks, Slim.)
A week or two after that show, I pulled up a seat at the bar at the Lion’s Lair. Where Dan turned to me, called me by name, and introduced himself with this: “I think you are the best thing to happen to this town’s music scene in a long time. And anybody that has the guts to sing a song by himself while playing a washtub bass has my respect.”
I was far from my Norfolk, VA home and had left behind medium-sized-fish-in-a-small-pond status for the breadth and anonymity of D-Town. So those were some very comforting words. Especially since my solo set before the mighty Slim and his mates was (as they are today!) a bit shaky.
But Dan sure appreciated it. I sure appreciated his kind and welcoming words. And his appreciation of my music long after that wonderful first meeting. Here's a fine tribute to Dan from Yellow Scene Magazine: http://yellowscene.com/2013/10/31/danny-stood-up/
Alright, I hope you’ll spend some dough here this month on behalf of Dan and his family. Biggest December shopper/donator gets a custom mixed case of beer from me.
On a different note: Me and the fellas are working on a new recording and getting ready for a pair of our famed honkytonk burlesque shows at Lannie’s in February. Details soon.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Marty Jones