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on February 2
George Collins
Posted project update #3Fat Lady Is About To Sing
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Thanks to everybody that joined in. Must admit doesn't look good for the project being successfully funded. But then the Fat Lady hasn't sung yet either LOL.
Regardless of funding or not I will be making this documentary if only of a lower quality than I had hoped for and not as soon as I had planned. So if this subject interest you be sure and sign up for factory blog updates to be notified when it is released. I truly believe this documentary will be of great historic value in the years ahead. Few people realize the role the humble kazoo has played in traditional American music for over a century. Even fewer realize that the kazoo is prehaps the first American musical instrument.
But until the Fat Lady Sings there is still hope. There's still time to join me in a project that will last for many generations to come.
Happy Kazooing
Doc Kazoo
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on January 18
George Collins
Posted project update #2Backer Rewards
Post CommentHello Everyone,
Welcome to my new Backer, Phyllis. Thanks for joining the project. I wanted to post an update for everyone but the $25 level Backers especially. I meant to add on to all levels the rewards available in the $1 or more range. As there are Backers already this level I cannot edit the reward. I apologize I should have thought of this at the start. I am much better at kazoo making than I am administrative stuff. LOL
All reward levels include the following:
"A personal thank you email from Doc Kazoo and a printed, signed and serialized Backers Thank You Certificate in the mail. You will also be recognized for your support of this project in the closing credits of the documentary. A copy of the documentary on DVD when released. All Backers will receive these rewards.".
I hope to be able to ship the DVD's immediately but am not sure on a release date at this time. Once in production the very first DVD's will go to all my Backers.
Thanks again to everyone. I do appreciate you support in producing this documentary.
Happy Kazooing,
George
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on January 12
George Collins
commented on a project updateYou are most welcome Jurgen. Us old kazoo makers are always remembering stuff we forgot. LOL I will be posting updates from time to time as things come to mind that I forgot to mention. I also am hopeful. I feel confident that the final result will be something we can all be please with and proud to have been associated with. So much of kazoo history has been lost because it was never documented. I would really love to preserve my small part that started in the 1950's.
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on January 12
George Collins
Posted project update #1A Things I Forgot To Mention
Good Morning from the Homestead,
I just wanted to share a few thoughts that came to me after posting my project. First off a big old kazoo THANK YOU!! to my first two Backers. I truly appreciate very much your joining me in this project. It is such a compliment for you to share my vision for this documentary.
I do intend on producing this documentary on DVD. However the first goal is the distribution to the Public Domain. I hope to be able to begin making DVD's immediately at the same time as it is released to the Public Domain. But right now I am just not sure if that will be possible. Once I get closer to finalizing the video I will have a better idea.
The uncertainty of exactly when I will be able to start work on releasing the DVD prohibited me from adding a copy to each of my reward levels. Despite the fact that a DVD is not listed as a reward each Backer will receive a DVD. In fact the first DVD's will be specifically made for my Backers.
Another thing I wanted to mention is that the ending credits of the documentary will identify and thank my Backers. I will be contacting each Backer to make sure they want to be listed in the credits and if so how they would like to be listed. This will happen a little further down the road.
There is just one more thing I want to mention. This project is going to take several months to complete. I want each Backer to be able to be part of this project from start to finish. If you go to my YouTube Channel you will see a long list of videos I make for customers to be able to watch their kazoo being made. I will be posting a similar Monthly Backer Update Video on my YouTube channel.
When I make a special order kazoo I am paid in advance. I make the customer update videos because I figure that if someone trust me with their money in advance they deserve to see it is being put to good use. I feel the exact same way about my Backers.
I am in my fifth year online at the same website and same email address. I place great value on my reputation, have pride in my work and am very passionate about this project. The humble kazoo's beginnings are somewhat hidden behind a cloud of mystery. There are lots of stories and legends but little documented truth, Even today there is virtually no detailed information about the wooden folk kazoo. This documentary will fill that gap and more. With the internet and Public Domain it will be around virtually forever!
It is very important to me as a folk kazoo maker to create a better record of my craft than kazoo makers before me were capable of making. This project is truly a labor of love for this old kazoo maker. It is extremely important to me that I get it done right.
Sorry to get so long winded this morinng. Well the sun is up and time to head off to the workshop.
Best of regards
George (Doc Kazoo)
Post Comment -
on January 9
George Collins launched a project
Journey From Tree To Kazoo - An American Folk Treasure by George Collins
A documentary video on the making of handmade traditional wooden folk kazoos from tree in the woods to kazoo on stage.
Funding Unsuccessful (02/08/2012) -
on August 4, 2010
George Collins launched a project
THE GREAT ASWEGO KAZOO FACTORY by George Collins
We are a modest, real life homestead and workshop in central Florida with a focus on original folk song writing and folk instrument building.
Funding Unsuccessful (09/18/2010)
George Collins
Eustis, FL
I am known by most people as "Doc Kazoo" or "The Old Kazoo Maker". I was born and raised in the foothills of Western NC where I was fortunate to be surrounded by a rich atmosphere of bluegrass and folk music and musicians as well as... view more
Thanks for the update George. I hope your project makes it!
You are most welcome Jurgen. Us old kazoo makers are always remembering stuff we forgot. LOL I will be posting updates from time to time as things come to mind that I forgot to mention. I also am hopeful. I feel confident that the final result will be something we can all be please with and proud to have been associated with. So much of kazoo history has been lost because it was never documented. I would really love to preserve my small part that started in the 1950's.