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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
   
Location: Baltimore, MD | Well folks, I just woke up from my second day trying to recuperate from the South America--holy crap my head is still pounding and can't quite seem to get enough rest! But I want to share with you some information on the Pinkburst Project--this information came directly from our very own, Mr. Jay Jay French.
PUT THESE DATES IN YOUR CALENDARS: APRIL 22, 23 and 24, 2011.
JayJay and I sat and talked for about an hour or so, and he shared with me an absolutely remarkable story about this Pinkburst Project--the story of how it came to be is truly a compelling story--I don't want to get the details wrong so I'll let that to JayJay, but I'll give you the bigger picture of it all.
Normally, I never discuss family members of the band--I've always considered that topic off-limits and private--but this is a bit different. JayJay's daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye disease called Uveitis. Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the vascular layer of the eye sandwiched between the retina and the white of the eye. If left untreated or not treated in time, it can lead to permanent blindness. The treatment itself can range from anti-inflammatory drugs, chemo drugs and surgery.
JayJay informed that she opted for the chemo drugs after other treatments were attempted--as some of you on the slamboard know, chemo drugs are not an easy path--they destroy your autoimmune system and leave your body exposed to all sorts of opportunistic infections and illnesses. They are also obscenely expensive--I'll save my diatribe on that--but it's more than you could even imagine. JayJay was able to get his daughter to a hospital in NY that specializes in this research, and in Samantha's case, the doctor caught it and diagnosed it during a routine exam, and she was able to get early treatment---her prognosis, so far, is looking positive, although Uveitis can re-occur.
As a way to give back to the extraordinary doctors, nurses, technicians and other support staff who treated his daughter (and saved her from a life of blindness) and help the effort to continue the research to fight this debilitating condition, JayJay dreamed up "The Pinkburst Project."
We all love and know JayJay's Epiphone Les Paul Pinkburst guitar--not only the signature pink paint job, but the pearl inlays and the TS logo. JayJay had a vision (no pun intended)--what if he convinced all of the major guitar makers to produce a single, limited edition, JayJay French pinkburst guitar, not only with the same paint job, but with the same pearl inlays and signature Les Paul characteristics. There would only be ONE of each kind, and he could auction them off as singles or as a collection, and donate the money to the hospital that treated his daughter.
As JayJay explained, guitar makers are very protective of their designs--and everything down to the exact paint colors and shape of the inlays--is a proprietary matter. Fender doesn't want to make a guitar with traditional Epiphone markings--they make a Fender that looks like a Fender. It's brand recognition as well as a pride issue with the artists who make these beautiful instruments.
Bur JayJay is very convincing, he told me the story--guitar by guitar, artist by artist, how he convinced each and every one to produce a one-of-a-kind Pinkburst. He succeeded after a much effort and some amazing stories! But he didn't stop there. What if he ALSO got every major amplifier company to produce a matching PINK amp? You guessed it! The end result was a spectacular photo that JayJay showed me on his iPhone--of JayJay, sitting admidst a seat of one-of-a-kind Pinkbursts and one-of-a-kind amps. The cost of producing these one-of-a-kind guitars and amps came right out of JayJay's own pocket.
Now! after you've all stopped drooling.....
here's where you come in!
There will be a charity event, auction and......a concert..... in April 2011. SAVE THESE DATES: APRIL 22,23 and 24, 2011. Boston Massachusetts. Don't have the venue yet but it will be a huge fundraiser. I'm not sure exactly where/when and what the concert will consist of, but does it really matter? This is an important event for charity, supporting JayJay French, his daughter and hospital.
I'll say it now....and I'll be repeating myself many times in the future: GO! No excuses.....no whining.
I don't know for a fact that TS will play, but I'm hoping they will, and for all we know....it could be one of the last times we see them playing live in the U.S. There are a hundred to go support The Pinkburst Project---and now that Airtrans and Southwest are merging, there will be a cheap flight near you. Buddy up with other slamboarders, share rooms, share rental cars and get your asses there Think of it this way--if you forego TWO Starbucks coffees (or two beers...or 2 packs of cigarettes) a week....by April you'll have saved around $200! Southwest specials online can get you to Boston from almost anywhere for about that.
The guitars were breathtaking....the amps are so amazing it made me want to run home and start learning guitar! Please share this information with everyone you know--pull every connection you have--Rock enthusiasts, musicians, art collectors, guitar collectors, Hard Rock cafe curators---the goal is to raise as much money as possible. If you can't bid on an item, at least buy a ticket to the events and find other ways to support this musically historic event.
There! you've heard it first here! Watch this space for updates from JayJay and start saving up now.
Yours in pink,
Armadillo |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 2072
 
| Terry
Thank you for the information. I hope the event makes a bunch of money for this great cause.
Once again we realize how special the members of this band are.
G |
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Geek-in-Chief
Posts: 606
Location: Noo Yawk | Wait'll you see the web site. 
- D |
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Road Reporter
Posts: 1729
Location: Baltimore, MD | Don--
when Jay Jay showed me photo after photo of these breathtakingly beautiful guitars, I said... "you know what would be great? do you have a photo of you sitting in the midst of all of them together?" and voila! he clicks on his next image, and all I could squeak out was "oh my god.....amazing...."
I hope that JayJay will post some of the story he told me of how he was able to commission each guitar. Every single guitar you'll see has a story to go with it, it was so moving, so incredible. I cannot WAIT for the SMFs here to see the photos of that "strawberry field of strats n' fenders forever..."
My hope is that a rock n roll curator buys the lot for a cool million...and puts in on display for the public to see and admire. it is EPIC. |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 717
Location: Chicago | Great stuff Terry! Thanks for sharing! Will be looking forward to all the details. |
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SMF 1st Class
Posts: 28
Location: São Paulo | That's the kind of thing that makes me proud to be an SMF! Hope everything goes well with the event... Jay Jay and all of the involved really deserve a huge success! |
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SMF 1st Class
Posts: 13
Location: Brasil - SP |
This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to be a SMF really has done with this news I am proud too that I hope everything goes well with the event ... Jay Jay the master! |
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Location: Graveyard BLVD. | I am deeply sorry that I missed this thread until now. My heart goes out to Samantha, I totally understand what it feels like, my heart sank when I read this. ♥ჯ♥ჯ T, thank you for bringing this to our attention and with all the other joking and kidding I have been doing here trying to catch up on older posts, I am embarrassed that this one did not get my first attention, I am sorry. 
Praying for a complete recovery for her. God Bless Samantha & Jay Jay for this project. ☂☂ Prayer and faith can move mountains! Let's hope that there is a miracle to behold. |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 1321
Location: on a Twisted planet | I saw the pics of pinkburst project on jay jay's FB page.... the idea is phenomenal all by itself.... I wish too a full recovery to Jay Jay's daughter and all the best with the project, if i wa s aguitar player and not a drummer i'd do some shopping.... it's for a great cause.....
One more PROUD SMF HERE |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 2072
| Mac
I don't have FB. My kids couldn't find the correct Jay Jay or the Pinkburst project on what we think was his page. Can you post the link? |
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Destroyer
Posts: 545
| http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=630731255 |
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 2072
| Thank you. I guess you have to be a friend to see the pinkburst information |
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Destroyer
Posts: 545
| I couldn't find anything either, except for one picture with all the guitars, and one with a bunch of pinkburst amps. says the website will be up soon...
What's really great is that the products are from a bunch of different companies!
Edited by Fast Joey 2010-12-28 11:28 AM
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Nearly A Band Member
Posts: 2072
| Joey
Thank you for the pictures. WOW they are beautiful. |
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| anyone know where to buy TWISTED SISTER memorabilia?  |
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Pinkburst Project: Calling all SMF's
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