NOrMAL - 'New Orleans Musicians Aid Lincolnshire', is the brain child of John Coops of the Vortex Brothers and Jonathan Hoare of Rauceby Hall Events. Both based in South Rauceby, Lincolnshire, they felt the compulsion to do something proactive for the betterment of Musicians in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, the region so cruelly ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. No one would disagree that New Orleans' heritage is built on the backs of those fine musicians who sprang from the region. New Orleans is culturally empty without its music.

One main function is to co-ordinate a variety of musical events throughout Lincolnshire on and around Mardi Gras ( 28th February 2006 ). This Mardi Gras will mark local solidarity with the people of New Orleans, and send the message that we are going to do our best to help their music to live on.

There will be no Mardi Gras as usual this year in New Orleans . This is the time when the musicians of New Orleans get a good proportion of their livelihood. The Musicians are scattered all over the country, some unable to contact their fellow musicians and family.

Aid

There are so many touching stories coming through from the aid workers in Louisiana. The director of the Jazz Foundation, Wendy Oxenhorn, says a musician which she had spoken to on the phone, but never met in person, was found to be alive. She nearly cried when she spoke to him on the phone and told him she was coming down to help, and asked him, “What would you like me to bring you from New York, what do you need?” He said, “I got no way to listen to music, and I sure do miss Charlie Parker, but if that's not possible cause I know that's asking a lot, then I'll tell you what I'd like most of all... I'd like some seeds. I just wanna plant some seeds...”

The events in New Orleans and the delta region are especially harrowing for musicians. People of the region have lost everything that was precious to them: their homes, family members, and most of all their livelihoods. It is hard to imagine how any of us put in the same position could find the strength to continue under such devastating circumstances. Aid is not only hand outs of food, clothing and temporary housing. Important initiatives by music based charities, include arranging concerts, gigs, reuniting band members, developing music workshops, and most importantly providing those who have lost their instruments with new ones. Musicians are regaining the hope and the direction to turn their lives around.

Fund raising in the short term is desperately needed to meet immediate needs and NOrMAL is asking every live music promoter to dedicate their next suitable event as a New Orleans benefit night.

Groups and individuals who wish to donate immediately should contact us if you want to make a donation by other means than a web transaction.