Man seeks help bringing music to New Orleans
Spare instruments sought for children in devastated areas
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK - New Orleans is famous for its music, so it's only fitting that the beleaguered city be refitted with musical instruments.

Local musician Michael Meade will visit the Crescent City in December to bring instruments he's been collecting to children and schools in areas still devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

On Dec. 6, Meade, a township resident who plays in a rock/bluegrass band called Lackawanna Rail, will meet up with other musicians in Virginia before heading to New Orleans.

"We believe music has healing properties, and the kids down there are in big need of healing," Meade said.

Meade is asking other Central Jersey residents to help the cause by donating an instrument, regardless of the shape it's in.

"We are hoping to find people who have some instruments around their house that aren't being played anymore," he said. "And we'd like to donate them to the kids in Louisiana who lost their own instruments and cannot replace them."

Marching band instruments are especially welcome, but the schools can use any type of instrument to teach music, he said.

The idea of donating instruments to the schools came from a musician friend named Bill Hudson, who is one of the people Meade will meet up with in Virginia.

"He saw news stories and he and another musician, Al Coffey, went down there to play music," Meade said. "They thought they'd try to liven up the spirits."

While performing on what they called "The Feel Good Tour," the musicians found that the schools were lacking in instruments, and decided to help build their programs back up.

"They thought, 'Maybe we can contribute some of our things,'" Meade said.

When they mentioned the idea to friends, they were given more instruments to bring down. Now, it's to the point where they make periodic deliveries.

Meade said he was very moved when he heard of the idea.

"It is such a heart-wrenching and beautiful thing, that I want to be part of it," he said.

He will be loading his van with instruments, some of which he's already collected. People have donated small keyboards, as well as guitars, banjos and even a Hammond organ.

Many people have spare instruments, he noted, because their kids played them at one time but gave them up. These often include flutes, clarinets and other band instruments that schools on the Gulf Coast are seeking.

Meade, who plays guitar, drums, dulcimer, auto harp and American Indian flutes, said this will be his first trip to New Orleans. He and the other musicians will perform at several schools while they're there.

The trip is sponsored by the Slidell, La.- based company, Dragonfly.

"The key thing is to bring music back into kid's lives," Meade said.

To donate an instrument, contact Meade at (732) 257-8743. Money is not being accepted, only instruments. T-shirts will be given to those who donate.