Whyte Panther Guitar Fund

Hey there gang, this is Whyte Panther coming to you from Tucson, AZ.




I've been writing and recording original music since July of 2010... over 700 songs written to date... so please forgive this wordsmith for being a little long in the tooth ;)

We've gotten amazing feedback since first posting the music online and have been holding onto the #1 slot in Tucson on the Reverb Nation country charts for the majority of that time and have spent most of the last year in the top 10 on the national charts. All of my music has been available for free downloads from the get-go... although it is available for sale just about anywhere online...

My old friend, my "stringless guitar", has finally given up the ghost... the soundboard met its match with the last set of Martin guitar strings. 

I recently found out that a company out of Brooklyn, NY (where I was born and raised) Gretsch, has released a new guitar called... and you can't make this stuff up... the "White Panther"




... it's got a rich warm sound that immediately caught my ear. My intuition had me thinking about looking for a new guitar even before the stringless guitar started showing signs of early retirement.

It's difficult for me to think about investing money that I KNOW I need to invest right now to keep the songwriting and recording going when the real world keeps jumping up in my face with more and more expenses... it's hard for the artist in me to admit that sometimes your art has to take a back seat to your everyday responsibilities. But then again... I've been that way my whole life.

I'd heard lots about folks raising money online for one cause or another... I've even helped out some folks in need either with direct financial contributions or by spreading the word to the fans... the generosity with which they all responded truly warmed my heart... that makes this request seem so self indulgent by comparison.

When we start making music, very few of us ever even THINK about doing it for the money... it's the love of music and the love of those who help inspire us that keeps us writing and recording and sharing our passion. I don't REQUIRE anyone to pay a cent for any of the music I've recorded and made available, but as all musicians know it DOES cost money to write and record... for instruments and studio time... and god help us to promote that music so that those that may be inclined to make a purchase get exposed to the music in the first place.

So here I am... humbly putting out a request for some assistance... to keep the music alive... to keep the songwriting going... and to continue to share the demo recordings as I have for better than 3 years now.

AND NOW FOR THE NUMBERS...

The "White Panther"




(http://www.gretschguitars.com/products/index.php?partno=2400600806) retails for $3550... but I can get it for $2500... and that's my goal for this fund raising attempt.

I simply cannot think of a more appropriate guitar for a Brooklyn Born Italian Cowboy who goes by "Whyte Panther" than this modest but wonderful creation, the "White Panther" that also comes from Brooklyn, NY.

For the time being I have a loaner from my good friend and "magician"... an Ibanez Artcore AF55... who I have affectionately nicknamed "Cubbie" (the panther "cub" -- get it?)

If you enjoy the music and have a few dollars to spare it would sure warm this cowboy's heart to keep his newfound dream alive... I turned fifty (yes five oh) January 19th of this year... and I could think of no more appropriate gift for myself than this bad boy.


Thank you for your time and I hope you enjoy the music... I hope to continue making it for a long long time