News

March 17, 2004

Fire destroys musician's belongings

Songwriter, musician and WYCE's Hat Trick Jammie Award Winner Ralston Bowles literally saw his music go up in smoke recently in San Diego. He was in town Feb 24-29 to take part in The National Folk Alliance Music Conference when an electrical problem resulted in his room catching fire destroying everything except his 31 year old Martin D-28 on Wednesday night.

"I lost my clothes and my handmade Bozouki instrument and firefighters carried out my Martin guitar in a cloud of steam and smoke. I feel very lucky my guitar was saved!"

A number of noted musicians which included among others Tracy Grammer, Lowen & Navarro and Rachael Davis organized a last minute fund-raiser towards the bouzouki's replacement under the direction of Pat Power, talent co-ordinator for Ten Pound Fiddle in East Lansing. National folk artist Tom Paxton even offered Ralston some of his clothes if he needed them.

"Losing an instrument and all of my belongings is rough," Ralston said. "But I'm glad I went to hear Chuck Brodsky instead of going to sleep. I guess you could say Chuck Brodsky saved my life."

Fortunately neither Ralston or his roommate Nashville songwriter David Llewyeln were in the room at the time. David was showcasing and Ralston was
listening to Chuck Brodsky's showcase in another room at the time of the fire.

Fire inspectors ruled it as accidental as no one had been smoking and no electrical appliances other than lights had been left on in the room.