3/15/2006 2:17 PM
Cary Allen Fields wrote:
Never has anyone accomplished so much in so little time for such a great cause. Dave you are amazing. I realize you have help, but you're the glue, buddy! This is going to be a big ol' deal and if the first year is shaping-up like this, ain't no where to go but upward. We keep pulling in the same direction we're going to get somewhere if we hain't careful! Reply to this
3/15/2006 10:58 PM
Don Anderson wrote:
Mr Dave, It is indeed impressive what you are accomplishing. This is gonna be a great event. And I'm so glad to see we have Carey pulling with us on this too. You know, the Saline City fair grounds is a beautiful place to be on Labor Day... I have known that for years. Lots of of big 'ole shade trees to jam & picnic under,concessions, good country food, good people. What a natural place for a festival. And that old dome shaped stage has to be the only one of it's kind. Birch Creek played in that old stage for the Saline City labor day fair for so many years..... Dave you know!...you were up there with us and Danny Wert and others were too. It is so fitting to have this event there. That was always Birch Creeks' main gig of the year! It is going to be sort of emotional to be doing this again. Keep up the good work Dave! Reply to this
3/16/2006 10:38 PM
Daryl Jones wrote:
Mr Dang Dave, Keep 'er going. You're doing a wonderful job. It sounds like it's going to be a-happening event for many years. With all the buzz going on about this event and all the people that just loved Bill that you'll probably have to park out on Hi.59 and take a shuttle into town. ....Moe, Larry, Cheese Reply to this
3/16/2006 11:14 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Hey Gwee-tar man, That's the hole idea-r. I would be really happy if people had to catch a ride into Saline City for the fester...kind of like Woodstock. Things just seem to be coming together. It is happening because we all care about the cause. We love & miss Billy. There will definitely be something missing without him there. I think that's another reason to do it...for healing. To (mis)quote someone,"How can he be gone when everyone that loved him is here to celebrate him & his music." Billy will be with us that day. I am looking "to get the word out on the streets" (misquote from The Blues Brothers). I've listed this with about every Bluegrass web site that I can find. If anyone finds a site that they can stick this info on, do it or contact me. At this writing we are up to 7 bands with possibly two more to commit. Keep buzzin'! Dave Reply to this
3/22/2006 3:30 PM
Dara Denman wrote:
Hey Guys! Just wanted to let everyone know that I've got the donation end on lock here in Nashville. Keep getting more donations everyday. Everyone keep up the good work! Look forward to seeing everyone come September. It's going to be a wonderful event! Reply to this
3/22/2006 6:02 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
I want everyone to know that Dara is kickin' it in Nashville, TN. She has been a lot of help putting things together, getting BIG donations, sharing ideas & maybe even getting a band to come up for the festival. She's been involved for 8 days & is tearing it up. Thanks for everything, Dara. Reply to this
4/5/2006 9:28 AM
Chip Jackson wrote:
We (Old City Trio) don't get to play festers much anymore, so for more reasons than one we're really looking forward to playing. But first and foremost for Billy. A Trademark reunion is not looking good at this time but we'll keep trying. Reply to this
4/15/2006 5:49 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Just an update...Lonnie Meeker & Timberline Drive are going to perform at the BFB fester. He said there might be one additional band playing for the event as well. More details to come on that. Thanks, Lonnie for helping BFB. Reply to this
4/18/2006 2:32 AM
Jerry Ellis wrote:
Dave, I'm pleased with the progress you've made on the festival in honor of Bill. Bill had a million dollar smile and personality, something to which the rest of us aspire. He was a fine musician and great supporter of our jams at EIU in Charleston, IL for the 14 years of their existence, '74-'88. I'll put a check in the mail. Reply to this
4/25/2006 8:37 AM
Lisa & Rusty Stanley wrote:
We are so psyched to be involved in such an awesome cause. Our lives have each been touched by cancer, tappin' a personal root. We didn't have the opportunity to know Billy on a personal level - boy did we miss out - we did catch him with Donnie and Daryl at a Saline City Labor Day event. DCH will be humbled to share the stage with the likes of Birch Creek, Troubled Waters, etc., Dave Denman - we love ya man! Dave Amerman, thanks for gettin' us involved! Reply to this
5/17/2006 6:37 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Just wanted everyone to know that my good friend Dusty Derigo, Account Executive at WTWO Channel 2, designed the new logos for BFB. Thanks, Dusty. Reply to this
5/22/2006 5:05 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Just want everyone to know that I just added the 10TH BAND!!! And I thought getting the bands would be the hard part. Tom Kirkman called & said that he'd like Stoney Point to be part of the BFB fester. We have enough music for 2 days...hmmm...2 days...maybe next year could be a 2 day fester. Reply to this
5/29/2006 9:18 PM
cin denman wrote:
I can't tell you how much this means to us to be a part of ..Billy was loved by so many ..it is hard to say just how many lives he touched...I know he touched ours for sure.. Uncle Billy ...we miss you ... Dave , thank you for letting us help with this ,, such a wonderful idea. Reply to this
5/30/2006 10:37 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Cindy, This was an idea many people had...not just me. I heard that some folks wanted to do something before Bill died, but that didn't happen. A lot of thanks goes to the Denman family for their TOTAL SUPPORT of BFB. This has been a labor of love for me. Bill meant so much to me that I feel this is something I want to do. It is OBVIOUS that Bill meant a lot to an entire community of people. Look how this fest has grown in such a short time...all the support it has received. The web site has averaged 100 hits per week since it has been floating. This marks week 12 & it's received over 1200 hits...what does that say? The bands, the volunteers, the silent auction items...all of these things will transfer into money for the causes. It's also a time to remember a good friend. There will probably be tears shed & great stories shared...that's what I'm hoping will happen. Billy is looking down on us & actually seeing how much he is loved & missed. I am sure he's smiling & proud to call us friends. Reply to this
6/16/2006 7:03 AM
Dave Amerman wrote:
We now have 12 bands participating in BFB. This is going to be a great day of bluegrass! Also, my computer crashed & I've lost ALL of my email addresses. Please send a note to me at dangdave@joink.com so I can copy them the old fashioned way...with paper & pencil. Still looking for auction items & cash donations. The silent auction will be held the same day as BFB. Reply to this
7/16/2006 4:01 PM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Met with Tom McClanahan from WTWO-TV in Terre Haute last week. He is interested in the project. They will do a story on Bill, do live weather from Saline City & run some FREE ads for it. Things are looking good as I confirmed the 13th band for the fest. Working on a tent...just in case. Trying to get some inflatables for the kids to play in & make some extra $$$. Auction items are coming in nicely. If you've got stuff or are getting stuff, let me know so I can post it on the web site. I booked morning shows on WTHI-TV & WTWO-TV in Terre Haute on August 23 & 24 respectively. Trying to get the T.H. Tribune-Star on board. They gave me 4 sentences last time...gonna try again. Waiting to hear this week from the American Cancer Society to see how they may help. If you've got any ideas, send them to me. My mother had surgery for breast cancer & is doing well...I have a NEW reason to raise money now. Reply to this
8/6/2006 12:58 PM
Larry Heck wrote:
Unfortunatly, I will be at the Kendall ville festival at the other end of the state on 9/2. I didn't know Billy, but he sounds like a great guy. I will send a check in memory of my best friend, Jerry Montgomery, who also lost his battle to cancer two years ago this month. He was an avid bluegrass lover and played upright bass. I wish you all luck with your fund raiser. Reply to this
8/6/2006 3:38 PM
Mark Richardson wrote:
Dave; It was great to get the word out about BFB via the radio waves, here in Bloomington (I interviewed Dave during the "Rural Routes" Bluegrass show yesterday, on WFHB-FM). I'll make sure to continue to spread the word. I sure hope that y'all have enough parking! To all those folks who read this who don't know Billy Reed--this event is exactly what *he* would do for any of his friends, so come out and support this great cause! I'll be there, with or without Mom's Pickles.
Cheers,
Mark Richardson WFHB-FM, 91.3 Bloomington, IN Reply to this
10/20/2006 3:43 PM
Kim Stevenson (Persinger) wrote:
Bill was my uncle. I feel so blessed to have had such a great person in my life. I have read everything about him on the websites that I can find. It is so amazing to me how many lives he has touched. I will always have wonderful memories of him growing up. The Persinger's and Reed's were a very close family. Uncle Bill had such a sense of humor and wit. With his contagious smile and personality who wouldn't just love him. He made everyone feel great! To all the ladies ~ you get prettier everytime I see ya!! When our families received the news about Uncle Bill's health I was crushed. He and the entire family were in my prayers from that moment on. At these times we find the priceless gift of family and friends. When I heard that Dave Amerman was planning a Bluegrass Fest for Uncle Bill I couldn't have been more proud and excited! When my husband and I drove to Saline that Saturday Sept 2nd and came around the corner by the big softball fields, I could not believe my eyes!! All the cars and the people just blew me away. Then we got over to the auction tent and stage and it became evident to me how much love and hard work that Dave Amerman and friends put into this. I think this is called a labor of love... this event was truly a class act. I'm sure I can speak for the Persinger and Reed families and say "THANK YOU" from all of us for such a memorable and successful event. You have touched my heart and we look forward to next year. Thanks again!
3/19/2007 11:41 AM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Making plans for the 2007 BFB Festival. It's going to be on Sunday & Monday this year. Looking for bands, donations of money & merchandise for the silent auction & volunteers. The video should be out in the next week or two. Thanks for your patience. I submitted the application to Clay City High School for students to apply for the scholarship. Last fall, I took a check to the American Cancer Society. Looking forward to this year's fest. It will be bigger & better than last year. I learned a lot about how these things operate. Also, a big thanks to all of those who donated time, talent & sweat equity. It was greatly appreciated. Reply to this
5/1/2007 8:37 PM
Daryl Jones wrote:
Mr. Dang Dave, I'm really looking forward to another great year for the Billy fest. Since it's going to be for 2 days this year that's just another day of the year that you'll have to put up with me. Great job Dave!!!!!! Reply to this
5/3/2007 2:13 PM
Guy Jackson wrote:
Just wanted to let you know we think this is a fantastic thing you are doing and we are looking forward to coming to participate! Great job! Fields of Home Reply to this
5/6/2007 10:12 AM
Rachael wrote:
That is my uncle bill i appriaciate everyone who has done this for him . thank you very much Reply to this
5/6/2007 10:22 AM
Rachael wrote:
I am Rachael Rowsell my moms brother was bill. she was lynda reed . but we are all prode of him . And i am glad to call him my uncle i was really close with him and he always told me how proud he was of me .When we found out he was sick it was horrable. I can rember going to see him in the hospital and he still had a good look on life. but then his fight ended. I wish he was still here but he is not . so we got to keep his memory going by the festivals and the websites thank you for all of you posting and blogs. Reply to this
5/6/2007 6:05 PM
Jim Reed wrote:
Im Jim Reed--Im Billys older brother-- Thank you all for doing this for my brother--Sorry it took this long to find this web-site--God Bless ya-ll for what your doing to keep Bills Memory alive--thank you all again-- Reply to this
8/12/2007 6:31 PM
Greg Brown wrote:
we are proud to be included in this years line up enjoyed it very much last year. We are also proud to announce the release of our 1st cd"Lost River Risin".Can't wait . Reply to this
8/28/2007 11:51 PM
Dale Langley wrote:
If smiles were a nickle apiece Warren Buffet couldn't pay what I owed Billy! Lets all see if we can repay the dedt we owe to a wonderful man. Dale Reply to this
8/29/2007 10:21 AM
Dave Amerman wrote:
Well, here we are looking at the 2nd year for BFB. The weather is supposed to be wonderful...NO RAIN!! I'll be getting last minute things taken care of these next few days. Made the final decisions for the BFB T-Shirts this morning. Picking up the last minute donations for the silent auction. Getting stage schedules finalized & volunteers organized & finally...ready to hear some on Indiana's best bluegrass music. Thanks Billy for the inspiration to learn & pick some great music and thanks for showing me the kind of person I'd like to be. I got that from watching you. Reply to this
1/22/2008 7:29 AM
Jean wrote:
do we have a date yet for the 2008 festival? We came last year and sure want to come back!
2/22/2008 8:42 PM
John Rodgers wrote:
My name is John Rodgers; I am an artist from Brazil, Indiana. I'm wanting to do a small sculpture of Billy playing his banjo. I'm in need of any photos that his friends can send me, to do this project. All they have to do is scan them to my e-mail address. I have a few photos from his family. Any side views of his face for profile will help, along with any photos of him playing his banjo. This sculpture will be in the spring show of the Wabash Valley Art Guild show at Honey Creek Square. Also like to display it at this years Blue Grass For Billy Festival. Thanks, John R. Reply to this
