Help Kids Trio Reach Their Music Dream
Donation protected
Take three young boys, ages 11 and 13, add natural music talent, and you have the amazing banjo trio called the “HOT SHOTS.” These gifted kids, brothers, Ben (11) and Aaron (13), and Eli (11), play instruments ranging from the banjo to the ukulele, cello, piano, bass guitar and mandolin. These amazing young musicians have also written some of their own songs.
(For the full story, click where it says "Read more" below.)
This trio of talented boys will definitely "put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, a snap in your fingers & a tap in your toes!" which is badly needed at this time. They have entertained for church events, retirement communities, holiday events, a school district awards ceremony with an audience of over 900, an area-wide sports awards program with over 500, as well as a live appearance on the local Houston NBC TV program.
Audiences everywhere are impressed by the wide variety of music they present and the talents they possess. Pop tunes, oldie-goodies, folk, rock & roll, gospel, classical, Broadway tunes, vocals, comedy & just plain fun are all part of their concerts. As one fan said, "Once you hear them play, you know why they are called the "HOT SHOTS!"
Enter Buddy Griffin
And who would best be able to judge the artistic abilities of these three boys than National 4-String Banjo Hall of Famer, Buddy Griffin. He founded and directed several senior adult ukulele bands including the Jubilee Banjo Band that performed at the famed Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas for 20 years and directs The Eagle’s Trace Strummers.
Buddy has also spent close to 30 years teaching youth across the world how to play musical instruments. He went to Africa three times to teach children how to play the ukulele. Wanting to help children to have a love for music and develop their talents, Buddy founded the ALL STARS Youth Banjo Band in Houston Texas, with currently 70 members, ages 8-18, now in their 22nd year. There is no charge for lessons, printed music, or the instruments he loans to the boys and girls.
Buddy’s teaching focuses on life skills like teamwork, self-discipline, respect, patriotism, loyalty and common courtesy. The “HOT SHOTS” are part of the ALL STARS group. Under Buddy's tutelage, the boys have fine-tuned their musical skills and are now ready for the next step in their musical career which is the reason he is reaching out at this time.
The Next Step for the Boys
Aware of their talent Buddy also knows from experience that the groups who might be interested in having the “HOT SHOTS” perform will want to hear the band before hiring them. He explains, “We need to show the public we are a real, serious and professional band. But a band without a CD is like a car without tires.” The CDs serve many marketing and publicity purposes by being sent to potential customers but can also be given out as surprise gifts at concerts and as benefits to donors. There is something about having a “HOT SHOTS” table with CDs, caps and photos available and the boys there to sign the purchases.
Knowing what is now needed, Buddy had made arrangements for the three boys to go into studio to record their first album. The date was locked in for May 2020. Then the pandemic hit the U.S. with all its might in February 2020.
A Dream Just Beyond Reach
You've heard the news and read the stories about the impact of the pandemic. Nearly the entire U.S. is under shelter-in-place. As you may imagine, pieces of the dream started to fall apart. This disease has resulted in the cancellation of several big concerts for these boys, including performing the National Anthem at a Texas state political convention, and providing banquet entertainment at a state service club convention. The cancelation of these appearances have also greatly reduced needed income to get the boys into a studio to record their first album. This is where you can make a life-changing impact for these three boys.
How You Can Make a Difference for These Three Boys
To continue on their path to bring their music to the public, it's imperative that $4,100 is raised by May 31, 2020. With Buddy offering his services for free, other kind-hearted people have already made generous donations to get the boys through the recording process which will cost close to $13,000.
Another $4,100 is still needed to secure the album production that includes editing, artwork, cover design, packaging, printing, shipping, etc. and that amount has put the project beyond reach especially during this time of economic need.
Why does this have to happen so soon?
Recording studios work on a tight schedule. Buddy has secured a slot for the HOT SHOTS but the timing cannot be changed and post-production budget is based on having the album at a specific period of time. The production costs include the cover art work, photos, written copy, printing on disc, actual production (making the CD), copyright, plastic wrap, packaging, shipping, etc. It also involves the additional expertise of the recording company for further fine tuning. No production at the time available, no possibility of recording.
You Can Be a Dream Giver to These Young Musicians
There are so many parts of our lives right now that we cannot control. You may feel like so many others that you would like to see something positive happening at this time. This is your chance to share in creating an amazing outcome for these three boys. If you have children or have friends who do, you can share how you helped these three to reach a truly awesome milestone in their lives. Everyone agrees that this particular music is a joyful expression and the boys themselves show forth that joy physically to a world that is sadly in need of uplifting and hope at this time.
There is nothing more happy, fun and uplifting than joyous kids - and then, when you put banjos, ukuleles & a guitar or two in their hands, playing toe-tapping, joyful and smile producing music, the world becomes a better place and those clouds of fear & anxiety begin to drift away! That is what the “HOT SHOTS” deliver!
When their music fills the air and invades one’s heart & soul - it’s like the old song: “ Happy days are here again”. That is one reason this CD is so needed!
Take action now and give.
From Ben, Aaron, Eli and Buddy, thank you for your generosity.
(For the full story, click where it says "Read more" below.)
This trio of talented boys will definitely "put a smile on your face, a song in your heart, a snap in your fingers & a tap in your toes!" which is badly needed at this time. They have entertained for church events, retirement communities, holiday events, a school district awards ceremony with an audience of over 900, an area-wide sports awards program with over 500, as well as a live appearance on the local Houston NBC TV program.
Audiences everywhere are impressed by the wide variety of music they present and the talents they possess. Pop tunes, oldie-goodies, folk, rock & roll, gospel, classical, Broadway tunes, vocals, comedy & just plain fun are all part of their concerts. As one fan said, "Once you hear them play, you know why they are called the "HOT SHOTS!"
Enter Buddy Griffin
And who would best be able to judge the artistic abilities of these three boys than National 4-String Banjo Hall of Famer, Buddy Griffin. He founded and directed several senior adult ukulele bands including the Jubilee Banjo Band that performed at the famed Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston, Texas for 20 years and directs The Eagle’s Trace Strummers.
Buddy has also spent close to 30 years teaching youth across the world how to play musical instruments. He went to Africa three times to teach children how to play the ukulele. Wanting to help children to have a love for music and develop their talents, Buddy founded the ALL STARS Youth Banjo Band in Houston Texas, with currently 70 members, ages 8-18, now in their 22nd year. There is no charge for lessons, printed music, or the instruments he loans to the boys and girls.
Buddy’s teaching focuses on life skills like teamwork, self-discipline, respect, patriotism, loyalty and common courtesy. The “HOT SHOTS” are part of the ALL STARS group. Under Buddy's tutelage, the boys have fine-tuned their musical skills and are now ready for the next step in their musical career which is the reason he is reaching out at this time.
The Next Step for the Boys
Aware of their talent Buddy also knows from experience that the groups who might be interested in having the “HOT SHOTS” perform will want to hear the band before hiring them. He explains, “We need to show the public we are a real, serious and professional band. But a band without a CD is like a car without tires.” The CDs serve many marketing and publicity purposes by being sent to potential customers but can also be given out as surprise gifts at concerts and as benefits to donors. There is something about having a “HOT SHOTS” table with CDs, caps and photos available and the boys there to sign the purchases.
Knowing what is now needed, Buddy had made arrangements for the three boys to go into studio to record their first album. The date was locked in for May 2020. Then the pandemic hit the U.S. with all its might in February 2020.
A Dream Just Beyond Reach
You've heard the news and read the stories about the impact of the pandemic. Nearly the entire U.S. is under shelter-in-place. As you may imagine, pieces of the dream started to fall apart. This disease has resulted in the cancellation of several big concerts for these boys, including performing the National Anthem at a Texas state political convention, and providing banquet entertainment at a state service club convention. The cancelation of these appearances have also greatly reduced needed income to get the boys into a studio to record their first album. This is where you can make a life-changing impact for these three boys.
How You Can Make a Difference for These Three Boys
To continue on their path to bring their music to the public, it's imperative that $4,100 is raised by May 31, 2020. With Buddy offering his services for free, other kind-hearted people have already made generous donations to get the boys through the recording process which will cost close to $13,000.
Another $4,100 is still needed to secure the album production that includes editing, artwork, cover design, packaging, printing, shipping, etc. and that amount has put the project beyond reach especially during this time of economic need.
Why does this have to happen so soon?
Recording studios work on a tight schedule. Buddy has secured a slot for the HOT SHOTS but the timing cannot be changed and post-production budget is based on having the album at a specific period of time. The production costs include the cover art work, photos, written copy, printing on disc, actual production (making the CD), copyright, plastic wrap, packaging, shipping, etc. It also involves the additional expertise of the recording company for further fine tuning. No production at the time available, no possibility of recording.
You Can Be a Dream Giver to These Young Musicians
There are so many parts of our lives right now that we cannot control. You may feel like so many others that you would like to see something positive happening at this time. This is your chance to share in creating an amazing outcome for these three boys. If you have children or have friends who do, you can share how you helped these three to reach a truly awesome milestone in their lives. Everyone agrees that this particular music is a joyful expression and the boys themselves show forth that joy physically to a world that is sadly in need of uplifting and hope at this time.
There is nothing more happy, fun and uplifting than joyous kids - and then, when you put banjos, ukuleles & a guitar or two in their hands, playing toe-tapping, joyful and smile producing music, the world becomes a better place and those clouds of fear & anxiety begin to drift away! That is what the “HOT SHOTS” deliver!
When their music fills the air and invades one’s heart & soul - it’s like the old song: “ Happy days are here again”. That is one reason this CD is so needed!
Take action now and give.
From Ben, Aaron, Eli and Buddy, thank you for your generosity.
Organizer and beneficiary
Richard Villasana
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Buddy Griffin
Beneficiary