I ask myself from time to time why I play music.  The pay fluctuates, the hours are long and late, and the payoff (whatever that means) can take decades.  The answer that I remind myself of, (as I did in high school 10 years ago when I decided to pursue this career) is that to me, music is one of the highest forms of human expression and beauty that you can find in life, and if I can be a part of that, to help others see the beauty in life, then that will be my calling.

Unfortunately, I got to witness firsthand the antithesis of this beauty, when my band (Brat Pack Radio) had their trailer stolen containing almost every piece of drum equipment I have to my name (in addition to thousands of dollars worth of other band gear).  Almost $10,000 in gear I've been investing in over 10 years drove off in a night.    

The emotions this has brought have been surreal.  Grief at the loss of  instruments that have been foundational to my playing, anger at myself for not taking smarter security/insurance precautions, anxiety over the loss of such a substantial financial investment, and sadness that we live in a world where people could take someone's livelihood and means to provide for their families away from them without a second thought.  

I am asking for help to raise $10,000 to recoup the losses in drums, cymbals, hardware, and road cases.

In the interim, I've been blessed by the support in the community that has reached out to help get me through to the next step.  As I have gigs constantly throughout the year many people have been gracious enough to offer gear for me to borrow to keep the music happening until I can get back on my feet.  

My hope is that the police are able to recover the stolen items, in which case any and all donations will be refunded, but if that isn't to happen I am asking help so I am able to get back to creating music, and maybe bring some beauty back with it. 

Thank you,  Peter Barnes