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Burbank lends hand to musicians
BY JOHN KIESEWETTER | JKIESEWETTER@ENQUIRER.COM
When Gary Burbank leaves the radio studio, he’ll head for a recording
studio to produce a CD to benefit down-on-their-luck local musicians. Burbank
is organizing Play It Forward, a non-profit group which would raise funds for
musicians with medical or financial needs. It’s based on similar efforts
in New Orleans, Los Angeles and other cities.
“ Most musicians don’t have health care. When they’re hurt
and laid up, what happens to their families?” says Burbank, who plays guitar,
slide guitar and drums and writes music.“If any starving artists needs
help, it’s our musicians. We don’t want to lose our music. We need
to give these people help.” Since summer, the radio personality has recruited
former WLWT-TV anchor Norma Rashid, attorney Dave Eyrick, WUBE-FM morning host
Bill Whyte, and musicians Larry Goshorn, Nathan Whitt, Noah Hunt, Marco Sastre,
Bam Powell and others for the effort.
“I haven’t talked to anyone who doesn’t
want to help,” he says.
Burbank wants to gather local musicians and record original
music for a CD to launch the fund drive this spring.
The CD release could coincide with a Burbank roast and
golf outing, says Rashid, a University of Cincinnati broadcasting teacher.
“We want to raise as much money as possible,” Rashid
says.
Musicians in a financial pinch “would apply for grants,
and the money would be doled out by need, by the (Play It Forward) board,” she
says.
Burbank to be roasted
Local Media Sunday, December 23, 2007
BY JOHN KIESEWETTER | JKIESEWETTER@ENQUIRER.COM
Gary Burbank doesn't like roasts, but this one should be well done.
Next year Burbank will be roasted to benefit Play It Forward, his new
nonprofit organization to provide financial help to local musicians
in need.
"
I've never been a big fan of roasts. I'm not a stand-up comedian. I thought
I could do it, but I can't," says Burbank, who retired Friday
after 26 years at WLW-AM. Burbank will be roasted to kick off Play It Forward, which he started
last summer with his local music pals - Nathan Whitt, Larry
Goshorn, Marco Sastre,
Bam Powell - WUBE-FM DJ Bill Whyte and former Channel 5 anchor
Norma Rashid.
"
The roast is going to be huge. Who won't want to do it?" says Rashid,
a University of Cincinnati journalism teacher.
The roast would coincide with the release of a CD featuring
original songs performed by local musicians (with Burbank on
guitar) and
a golf fundraiser,
she says.
Play It Forward is modeled after efforts in New Orleans, Los
Angeles and other cities.
"
Most musicians don't have health care. When they're hurt and laid up, what
happens to their families?" says Burbank, 66, of Alexandria. "If
any starving artists need help, it's our musicians. We don't
want to lose our music."
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