The New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund, a grass roots 501c(3), is grateful for all who helped out in the storm. Last week we gave an evacuation vehicle to a New Orleans drummer whose first donated car was stolen. NOMRF just sent the grand piano at right to a displaced musician in Chicago, and has a Pearl River baby grand piano for a New Orleans music teacher.  As Dr. John told Entertainment Weekly about the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund. "It's small organizations - they've done more than these big organizations with a lot of money." The Impact Channel, PayPal and MySpace are hosting a contest ending on October 16th with voters eligible to win Grammy tickets. Click on the badge to visit our MySpace page and show your support.

Gear and Tunes NOMRF (Merchandise) available includes our logo tee, seen on Elliot Easton of The Cars at the New Orleans House of Blues. The New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund gave out Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp scholarships and instruments to the children of local musicians, as Chris Rose of the New Orleans Times Picayune describes here. During Camp, we took the counselors to view recovery efforts of great local organizations including Global Green, the Musicians Village and Make it Right NOLA. For those who have returned and are just now furnishing their homes, Furnishing Our Neighbors has joined the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund's ReDefine 8/29 Campaign with hotel-donated furniture for returning residents behind Rock and Bowl.  More than 1,000 New Orleans residents have already been helped. Our ReDefine 8/29 download includes Ian Hunter, Edwin McCain and Maia Sharpe, Susan Cowsill, Barry Cowsill,  Spencer Bohren, Dr. John, Joe Topping, Rev. Goat Carson, Johnny Sansone, James Andrews, Backyard Tire Fire, John Rankin and many others (HERE).   The reload is coming soon, with even more great songs about recovery and renewal.  NOMRM also offers benefit Sax On The Web tracks with legendary sax players, and Lies on i-tunes by the amazing Abby Travis and the Bangles.

Founder's Piano REM featured NOMRF Founder Jeff Beninato's Family Piano Print in their Entertainment Weekly video along with New Orleans Instrumental No. 1: (WATCH HERE).   The piano print in support of our programs is available on the Donation page. Stay tuned for the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund auction (finally) which will feature items including a Fender Strat signed by rocker legends including Little Steven, Kip Winger, Mark Hudson, Glenn Hughes and Elliot Easton in solidarity with New Orleans musicians, Jimmy Descant rocketship artwork, and rock photographer Curtis Knapp's book prints. His REM book print has already sold, with more to come.

Gathering Celebrates Rebuilding Outreach is still crucial. On Mardi Gras Day, we gathered (left) with relief workers  and musicians including Abby Travis, Mike Mills and sousaphone god Kirk Joseph. The Saving NOLA Store in Jax Brewery made the Habitat for Humanity Musicians Village, Global Green, New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund and Make it Right NOLA banner (at left).