More generosity!

As usual, I don't know where to begin.

I want to start by noting that with this latest round of donations, I have broken the 900-pick mark in less than three months.

Of course when I say I broke the mark, it should go without saying that without all the tremendous support and donations, I would not be able to make this claim, so thank you to everyone who has helped me reach this mark so quickly!

This past friday, I worked with some great guys in the Seether and Three Days Grace crews this weekend and they were unbelievably generous. First, Scott with Seether (and the assistant stage manager - correct me if I am wrong in this title, Scott) donated eight Seether picks and seven other picks from his own collection to the fundraiser. Here are the Seether picks:



Scott also donated these picks from the bands Chevelle and Back in the Day:




Next, Moose donated TWO FULL BAGS of Three Days Grace picks to the fundraiser. I will be getting an official count on them later, as I am tired and lazy right now and I want to be sure I give Moose the proper credit for the amazingly generous donation. Here are the styles of the picks the man donated:

Finally, at least for this entry, I contacted the Queensryche website earlier this week and was immediately responded to with enthusiasm for the fundraiser. Literally within days of my request being received, I got seventeen different picks from the people in the Queensryche organization. Here they are:

In closing, I cannot thank Scott, Moose and the Queensryche people enough for their generosity and support in the cause. So far, I have exceeded my expectations in this drive, but I am not going to let that allow me to let up. I still have six months to go and I plan on making the most of it. Thank you for reading and keeping the fundraiser in your thoughts!

- Mesko

Easter Update

Happy Easter. Sorry for the delay, but with the Holidays, work and a sick family, I am lucky to be able to maintian a weekly update! I have a lot of people to thank this week. Let me start by thanking Little Steven's (of E-Street Band fame amongst others) tech for a generous donation. He not only donated four Little steven picks:

But he also donated four additional picks from his personal collection. One from Weezer, one from the Foo Fighters:

And two from Little Feat:

Thanks Aaron.

Next I got a great surprise from Dan at the BB King Online Store. Dan sent in an even dozen picks from the fabulous B.B. King.

I can't thank Dan and Mr. King's organization enough for the donation. Admittedly, it was solicited, but it is easy to ignore such requests. Which is why I am so happy about this particular donation.

Finally, through my stagehand friend Craig Crosby, I was given thirty REO Speedwagon picks of various style. These were kindly donated by T-Bird and Rooster from the REO crew, so a special thank you to these two guys.

Update...

In the last week, I was fiven 24 more picks for the fundraiser, bringing the total to 813 picks in only 2 1/2 months. First, Ace Frehley's tech gave me 10 picks from the current tour. Check 'em out (two are particularly cool as they left over from eht Kiss 200 Farewell tour):

Next, Doyle from the Bret Michaels tour donated 10 picks and was very enthusiastic about the fundraiser which was really cool to hear:

Last, and certainly not least, a friend of mine for years, Harry Gray donated four picks to the cause. HArry has been on tour with The Eagles and Aerosmith in the past, but thankfully still mingles with us "common folk" and does uprigging at many local venues Here are the picks Harry donated:

Thank you to Joel, Doyle and Harry. With only 2 1/2 months into the fundraiser and over 6 months to go, I am hoping for big things. Thanks for reading.

Another week, another 100+ picks

I know I am behind in my updates, but I've been busy (yeah, yeah, what else is new?)

However, I have been fortunate enough to be given another 114 picks for the fundraiser, this time from the people on the Taste of Chaos and Billy Joel tours as well as from a friend in Texas who donated some pretty awesome picks.

Let's start with the Billy Joel picks, Vinnie the stage manager took care of me to the tune of a total of 47 picks. There are multiples of most of them, and here are the several different kinds that were donated. Thanks a ton Vinnie!

Next, I want to thank Chris & Susan from the Houston area. Friends of my Aunt Becky, they heard about the fundraiser and donated a total of 15 picks, including some sweet stuff from Van Halen, Ted Nugent, ZZ Top, Collective Soul and Little Texas. Check 'em out...

Finally, I made some friends on the Taste of Chaos Tour. Alex from Arteyu donated 20 picks as seen below:

Pete and Za from Avenged Sevenfold donated a total of 9 picks:

And last, but certainly not least, Evan. A representative from Ernie Ball gave me 23 promo picks for the Taste of Chaos tour that Ernie Ball is sponsoring:

Thank you to everyone who is following, sponsoring, donating and pledging!