April 23, 2009

Update on Chris Kew


Last Weeks Chris Kew Fundraiser Festival in Black Mountain was an overwhelming success. Great music from 4pm til after midnight thrilled the crowd and Rollin Stone Wood-fired Pizza kept everyone well-fed.

Many of the participants were old friends and band members of Chris and that made the evening like a big homecoming of sorts. There were many special moments at the festival including a reunion of 3 of the original members of Hypnotic Clamback, a reunion of Steel String Theory, and the amazing sounds of Acoustic Syndicate with Chris Kew on bass.

The thunderous ovation at the end of the night was a fitting climax to the days festivities and the Black Mountain Music Scene wishes to thank each person who participated including performers, volunteers, food providers, musicians who donated cds, festivals and music stores who donated gift certificates and all those who attented the event, purchased raffle tickets, and made cash donations.

Over 1700 dollars was raised to help defray medical costs associated with Chris's upcoming surgery.

Chris Kew will be headed to Duke in May for the surgery related to the arterial veinous malformation in the left temporal lobe of his brain. The funds raised at last weeks festival at White Horse Black Mountain were a huge help in paying off previous medical bills for doctors visits and medications. Many of you asked us how you could help in the future or how you could keep up with news from Chris.

Donations and well-wishes can be sent to:



Chris Kew

33 Mountain View Ridge

Fairview NC 2873O



Chris's email address is:





On-line Donations can be made via secure

Paypal transactions to

at

1 comment:

Chris Q said...

Hi everyone, this is Chris Kew here. I just wanted to extend a huge thank you to all the great ans unselfish people who put their time, effort and creativity into this project. I realize that playing a gig for free on A saturday night was probably a loss of income for you and/or your band, and it's greatly appreciated. I can't properly express my gratitude to you, Don Talley and all the volunteers who made it possible. The money raised was of great help in settling some of my local medical bills before I head off to Duke which is a week from Tuesday. (the 26th) Also seeing all of your support helped me a great deal emotionally as well. It really made me feel that I am not going into this alone, and their is no price that can be put on that. So once again, Thank you. Chris Q

May 17, 2009 at 2:17 PM

Post a Comment


THE CAUSE

THE CAUSE
Chris Kew hails from Newfoundland by way of Boston and toured his way around North America countless times before settling down in Asheville NC.

In past years Chris has performed with a number of bands Hypnotic Clambake, Jiggle the Handle, Steel String Theory, and The Recipe. More recently Chris Kew teamed up with Mars Farris to form Junco Partners. Music is his passion.

But for the past year Chris' ability to pursue his passion and support his family has been severely limited.

Several months ago, Chris Kew was been diagnosed with an arterial veinous malformation in his left temporal lobe. It affected his speech center and language comprehension. The complications from the condition made it very difficult for Chris to pursue his profession as a musician.

His doctors recommended surgery and after several delays, the surgery was completed late in the spring of 209. It's was very delicate surgery with many potential complications and risks but Chris pulled through. He now faces a long and slow recovery.

Chris longs to return to playing music full-time but he's got quite a journey ahead of him. Anyone one who has been through brain surgery is aware that recovery is a slow and painstaking process and things which were once simple tasks, now require significant energy and focus.

Chris continues to take several prescriptions which take a toll on both his physical and emotional status. The prescriptions also take a toll on his wallet and the financial burdens are difficult since Chris is unable to return to work as of yet.