On February 10, 2026, our dear friend and local musical mainstay, Bob McBain, faced an unimaginable tragedy. A fire completely destroyed his longtime home in Novato—the very house he grew up in, passed down to him by his late mother.

Because the home was an older structure, it was unfortunately uninsurable. In a single morning, Bob lost not only his shelter and a lifetime of family memories but also his entire livelihood. As many of you know, Bob is a talented professional musician, and every piece of his musical equipment—his keyboards, computers, amps, pedals, and gear—was destroyed by the fire.

Bob's dear friend, housemate and coworker at San Marin Flowers, Star Ford, also lost all of her possessions in the fire.

Fixtures of the Novato Community

When Bob isn’t on stage, he can usually be found at the flower shop with Star, helping neighbors find the right bouquet or sharing a kind word behind the counter. Bob is also a cornerstone of the Presbyterian Church of Novato worship team, where he has served as the Contemporary Worship Pianist for years. Both he and Star ask for very little but give so much; spending every day bringing beauty and harmony to others.

The Soundtrack of the North Bay

For decades, Bob has spent his life bringing joy to our weddings, festivals, and community celebrations. As a "local legend" in the North Bay music scene, Bob’s home was also his headquarters for a career that has touched thousands of lives. His incredible range as a keyboardist is the heartbeat of countless musical communities, including Pete Floyd, Sonoma Sunday Night Jam, Live Band Karaoke, The Humdinger Band, Poyntlyss Sistars, SugarFoot, The Workshop, Pamela Joyce, Z and the Benders, Third Rail Band, The Kerry Daly Band, Los Mad House, SwingSet, Dic Tees, and the Sonoma Sound Syndicate. More times than not, you can find Star by his side, helping with gear, merchandise and capturing images.

Bob has spent decades building the soundtrack of our lives. Now, it is our turn to provide the harmony for him and his dear friend.

How Your Donation Helps

With no insurance to fall back on, Bob is starting from zero. We are breaking our goal into three critical phases to help him get back on his feet:

Phase 1: Immediate Relief ($5,000) – Covering essentials like clothing, food, and temporary housing for Bob & Star.

Phase 2: Restoring the Music ($15,000) – Replacing the professional keyboards, computers, and gear necessary for Bob's primary means of income as a musician.

Phase 3: Long-term Stability ($30,000+) – Navigating the next steps of losing his permanent residence and family home.

Every dollar, share, and word of encouragement helps. Please donate what you can, and please share this link with anyone who has ever been moved by Bob’s music or greeted by Star's smile at the flower shop.