The Sons of Bluegrass need a new tour vehicle to travel safely around the country while promoting the growth of Bluegrass music.
The Sons of Bluegrass being the first and only professional Bluegrass band in the world completely comprised of four year Bluegrass Majors from East Tennessee State University have steadily been gaining popularity around the country and as a result the demand for them to appear and perform around the country has grown as well.
Bluegrass music's role in our cultural heritage is constantly evolving process and it is our intent to share our part in the evolution and history of a music so uniquely American with a larger audience. Bluegrass is a communal music and is largely based on sharing tales of our cultural and regional history and thus preserving those traditions for future generations.
The Sons are helping promote the growth of Bluegrass music with this tour and encouraging the public to become interested in our countries musical heritage. During the tour The Sons will be conducting workshops and seminars for those interested in honing their skills on their individual instruments as well as increasing awareness about continuing education in the genre through the B.A. degree in Bluegrass, Old Time and Country music now available at East Tennessee State University.
For the 2013 calendar year The Sons are already scheduled to travel over 6000 miles by ground! Thats a lot of driving, and a lot of Bluegrass! As college students in the appalachian studies department this is a huge financial undertaking!! As a professional traveling band however, The Sons need a more efficient means of transportation. Currently they are utilizing two personal vehicles, both of which get terrible gas milage and are woefully uncomfortable for the band to travel in. If one of these vehicles breaks down while on the road in some far away state it would almost certainly have to be abandoned as a lost cause.In addition they have no vehicle in which they can all travel together, let alone with their equipment.
Therefore the goal of this project is to raise $5000 to purchase a shuttle style van that can be converted to allow for The Sons to travel efficiently and safely to and from their shows around the country. The Sons will use this vehicle to promote the growth and development of interest in one of our countries cultural resources, Bluegrass and traditional music. A vehicle such as this would have ample room for the band, our equipment and sleeping accommodations for when needed. The main goals here are ... Safety, efficiency, and a higher comfort level for the band, and the families at home worried about them whilst they travel the country promoting the growth of Bluegrass music!!!
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With the purchase of the van will come several additional issues.
The Van will have to be converted into a suitable and safe band vehicle. Luckily the family members of the band have had experience converting buses into motorhomes and so with some good old elbow grease this should be easily overcome, and can be worked on gradually as time and touring permits.
The Van will also have to be insured. We will be insuring the van as a seasonal R/V and this should help lower the cost, but this is something that the band will have to ensure to set money aside for during their travels and performances.
Aside from that the biggest risk is that The Sons continue to travel in the vehicles they are using now!!
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Funding period
Feb 9, 2013 -
Mar 11, 2013
(30 days)
- First created · 1 backed
- Chris Armstrong 449 friends
- Website: sonsofbluegrass.net
Pledge $1 or more
2 backers
Recieve a free digital download from The Sons of Bluegrass for your support!
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $5 or more
12 backers
Your name, or the name you choose will be forever emblazoned upon the inside of our bus with indelible permanent marker, probably above Cameron's bunk or if you have a special place in your heart for the banjo, we can put it above Dan's bunk.
Estimated delivery: Apr 2013Pledge $10 or more
10 backers
A digital download of our next album before it is released to the public.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $25 or more
18 backers
A signed copy of our next CD before it is released to the public.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $50 or more
11 backers
A signed copy of our next CD plus a handwritten lyrics / music sheet from one of the songs on the album.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $75 or more
7 backers
All previous rewards Plus a Sons of Bluegrass T-Shirt of your choice. (please specify size)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Add $10 to ship outside the USPledge $150 or more
1 backer
All previous rewards Plus a special thank you in the liner notes of our next CD.
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $150 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
A display of Civil War relics found while metal detecting by The Sons of Bluegrass' very own, Chris Armstrong. Relics available from Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, or South Carolina, (specify State you want)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $250 or more
3 backers
A special song just for you. Have a song either written for you or requested by you recorded by The Sons of Bluegrass. The song will then be sent to you on your own personalized CD. (you can specify subject matter of an original tune, or pick a random weird cover for us to do, you can send us a picture of what you want printed on the CD face and we will fully produce your own custom SOB song !!!)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $300 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
A whitewater rafting adventure for two of your choice provided by our good friends and sponsors USA raft! Raft the exciting class four rapids of the Upper Nolichucky River in Tennessee, or the class three rapids of the French Broad River in North Carolina on an express trip, or if the a little bit calmer adventure suits your tastes you can enjoy the Lower Nolichucky River trip. Visit http://www.usaraft.com/rafting-rivers/nolichucky-river-rafting/ for more info on trips available. (only available during rafting season)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $300 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
Ski trip for two at Wolf Ridge ski resort in Wolf Laurel NC. Two lift tickets and rental equipment vouchers to ski / snowboard at Wolf Ridge ski resort. Enjoy the winter and come ride in NC, you may even get some free lessons from The Sons! ( only available during winter/ski season)
Estimated delivery: Dec 2013Pledge $350 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
2 free tickets to any one of the following shows that The Sons will be performing at : The NC state BG festival (with Tony Rice, Dailey and Vincent, Rhonda and the Rage, Doyle Lawson and several other amazing acts 8/15-8/17 2013) Bear on The Square( Blow out 4/20/2013 with The Sons at an amazing festival in Dahlonega, GA 4/19 and 4/20)
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $400 or more
0 backers
Corporate Sponsor. Have your company logo emblazoned upon the outside of the new SOB tour bus for everyone to see as we tour the country! ( logo will be placed in a visible area in a size deemed appropriate by the band and large enough to be clearly seen or read)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $500 or more
3 backers
Private Show by The Sons of Bluegrass! Have a party, bah mitzvah, wedding, or a wild hair? Have The Sons out to play your private event and be the talk of the town! ( allows for two sets of bluegrass by The Sons, at a time determined to be acceptable to donor and band, for donors more than 100 miles from Johnson City this private show will have to be scheduled when The Sons are touring in your area.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
Name our Next Album. That's right, you can have the power to name our next album and be a part of The Sons of Bluegrass' history forever! (within acceptable bounds, nothing vulgar or hateful!)
Estimated delivery: May 2013Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
Name our Bus. Thats right, you can name our new lady friend. We will have a special license plate made that proudly displays the name you gave her! Be a part of SOB history!
Estimated delivery: May 2013
