Topic: Our friend Jerry Ricks

[Rivers]

Many of us here have had the opportunity to spend time with Philadelphia Jerry Ricks. Jerry's wit & musical wisdom is legendary. His scheduled workshop classes at Port T, as well as unscheduled one-on-one mini-classes Jerry so enthusiastically will do, have put many of us players on a better track.

Jerry and Nancy have been out of States for three years and based in Croatia for the last six months. Jerry has been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The tumor is operable and he is scheduled to have surgery this week.

Medicine is not socialized in Croatia and the bills will be significant. www.Weeniecampbell.com urges its members to send your assistance to the accounts listed at the bottom of this post.

Many thanks everyone, please get behind this appeal and do what you can!

Rivers.

Follows the latest received message from Nancy:

-------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

Both Jerry and I wish to express our deepest gratitude for all the
calls of concern and best wishes received for Jerry's full recovery.
The operation to remove his brain tumor is expected this week; we all
hope and pray for the best results.

Since hearing of so many offers for support, accounts have been
established to accept donations for Jerry to help defray the medical
expenses and the costs of the following treatments and rehabilitation.

Again, our deepest appreciation for all your concern through these
difficult times, these miles of Blues...

Sincerely Yours,
Nancy Klein and "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks

---------------------------------------------------------
For donations made to:
The "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks Assistance Fund

[edit: added this bank address today, for sending checks direct]

The "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks Assistance Fund
      Bank of America
      100 Federal Street
      Boston, Ma 02110


For US Domestic Wire Transfer, send to:
The "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks Assistance Fund
Fund's account number: 004612096194
ABA / Routing / Transit number: 0260 0959 3
Bank address:
Bank of America
100 Federal Street
Boston, Ma 02110

For International Wire Transfer, send to:
The "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks Assistance Fund
Fund's account number: 004612096194
IBAN number: not implemented in USA
SWIFT Code: BOFAUS3N
Bank address:
Bank of America
100 Federal Street
Boston, Ma 02110
USA

---------------------------------------------------------
For Personal Donations In Europe Wire Transfer, send to:
Foreign currency bank account: Euro/USD
Bank account name: Gerald Lawrence Ricks
Bank account number: 4600559169
Swift Code: RZBHHR2X
IBAN number: HR03 2484 0084 6005 5916 9
Customer number: 1060876
Bank address:
Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d.
Poslovnica Matulji
Smogorska 1
HR-51211 Matulji
Croatia

---------------------------------------------------------
For Personal Donations In Croatia Domestic Wire Transfer, send to:
       Domestic currency bank account: Kuna
       Bank account name: Gerald Lawrence Ricks
       Bank account number: 3600275892
       Customer number: 1060876
       Bank address:
       Raiffeisenbank Austria d.d.
       Poslovnica Matulji
       Smogorska 1
       HR-51211 Matulji

[Richard]

I put a link to this on Michael Messers site as Jerry is well known at the EBA events

[Rivers]

Thanks Richard!

[lindy]

Just wanted to emphasize something that Rivers added to his original post -- that is, you can **send checks directly** to the account for Jerry at the Boston address. (If you do a wire transfer, domestic or international, the sending bank and receiving bank both charge a fee, which can wipe out most of a small donation.)

If you do send a check to the Bank of America Boston address, be sure to put the name of the fund on it. Adding the words "for deposit only" and the account number couldn't hurt.

Lindy

[Slack]

Thanks Lindy, appreciate your clarification - as it makes the most sense to send a check!

[Chezztone]

Anyone have a mailing address, or at least email address, for sending cards and messages? If I enclose a card along with a check to the bank, I doubt the card will be forwarded. This would be a fine time to wish Jerry the best and remind him how much we enjoy his music and miss him at camp. Also, let's encourage Phil and Peter to invite Jerry, if his health allows it and he wants to take the long trip, to teach at camp next year. Thanks. Cheers, SC

[Rivers]

Chezz, I'll see what I can find out from Larry H.

[Chezztone]

So how is he doing? Did he have the surgery yet? Anyone know, or know a way to find out? Thanks! SC

[Rivers]

Chezz, no news as yet, I've emailed LH and will post as soon as I hear.

[uncle bud]

Yeah, Riv, keep us posted. Here's wishing the very best for Jerry, who has cracked me up many times, whether he's holding a guitar or a glass of red wine. For those who may not have noticed, keep an eye on the Weenie quote generator. Some of the best lines -- both humorous and insightful -- come from Jerry Ricks.

[Rivers]

Got an email from Larry today, no news. A lot of people are asking him how Jerry is and he knows no more than we do. We'll just have to wait and hope for the best. Larry said he will email as soon as he hears, and I'll post here. He does not have a direct postal address for cards.

Chezz, check your PMs, I'm sending you an email you can try contacting.

[Rivers]

This just in from Nancy via Larry:

"A brief update: Jerry's getting stronger each day, but this is going to
be a long loooong haul!!!  Still 2 or 3 days for tissue results - very
important, he took his first "walk" on Tuesday, recovery is slow and
rough but he's fighting for it! "

[swampman]

Just got this from the Philadelphia Folk Song Society Newsletter

FRIENDS of "PHILADELPHIA" JERRY RICKS

Friends of "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks to organize Benefit Concert
Sunday October 28th, at The Commodore Barry Club, Philadelphia.
To help defray medical expenses incurred due to
Brain Tumor Surgery in Croatia.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contacts:
Doug Waltner: (267)-251-8666 ( p)
e-mail: dwaltner@hughes.net
Michael Cloeren: (570)-350-7973 (p)
e-mail: mcloeren@ptd.net
Peg Waltner: (570)-646-7872 ( p) (267)-251-5394 (c)
e-mail: pwaltner@hughes.net

International Blues Musician "Philadelphia" Jerrry Ricks, who got his
start while working in Philadelphia's Secend Fret Folk house in the late
1950's and early 60's, was diagnosed with a brain tumor while performing
in Croatia. The tumor was removed on September 6 th 2007, and while
everyone is hopeful that a full recovery is in the works, his lack of
health insurance and inability to perform has left Jerry and Nancy his
life partner in a desperate financial situation with mounting medical
bills and expenses.

Jerry's friends and admirers from his Second Fret days, the Philadelphia
Blues Machine, the Pocono Blues Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk
Song Society, have joined together to help remedy the situation with a
benefit concert designed to help generate as much financial support as
possible.

Confirmed at this time to perform are, The Dukes of Destiny, Steve
Guyger and Richard Ray Farrell, Ari Eisengar, Saul Broudy, Rolly Brown
and Mike Miller.

Musicians wishing to participate should contact Doug Waltner at
(267)-251-8666 or e-mail at dwaltner@hughes.net

For Information Updates please check www.mountainofblues.com

Benefit for "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks
Sunday October 28th 2007 - 2pm to 9pm
The Commodore Barry Club
6815 Emlen Street, Philadelphia PA 19119
Donation: $25.00 at the door day of event (NO advance ticket sales)
There will also be merchandise for sale, and raffles.
ALL Donations TAX Deductable

If you are unable to attend, and wish to contribute you may send
donations to,
Friends of "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks
PO BOX 1017
BLAKESLEE PA 18610

"Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks has learned from and performed with possibly
every Country Blues Great, The list is too long for this release, but
includes Brownie McGee, Son House, Champion Jack Dupree, Lonnie Johnson,

Mississippi John Hurt, and Many Many More.
As these Blues Musicians were an influence to Jerry, he became a GREAT
influence and mentor to countless musicians in Philadelphia and
Worldwide, passing on the Blues Tradition to the next generation.
Jerry spent most of his time from 1970 to 1990 in Europe, where he
performed over 2000 times; Including performances in almost every Major
Jazz and Blues Festival in Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the
United States and Canada.

[Rivers]

From Larry:

Dear Friends of Jerry and Nancy,

Nancy has asked me to share this with all Jerry's friends and fans who have
sent their prayers and best wishes:


"  Thanks for "being there"... Please pass thanks to Doug and Peg, and all
for their love and support to make a concert for Jerry...  I'm
completely wrung out just now, I can't keep up communications to
everyone the way they deserve... I will write them asap!   "


For information regarding the the benefit concert being planned for Jerry in
Philadelphia please link to:

http://mountainofblues.com/main.shtml

To make a contribution please send funds to:
\\
 The "Philadelphia" Jerry Ricks Assistance Fund
> >>         Bank of America
> >          100 Federal Street
> >          Boston, Ma 02110

Thanks and please spread this email to all concerned.

Larry Hoffman

http://www.myspace.com/lawrencehoffman

[waxwing]

I may be back east the week of the benefit, just over on the Jersey side of the river from Philly. Should be able to finagle it and be at the concert. Great way to make a donation to Jerry's cause. I hope to see lots of east coast Weenies there, too.

All for now.
John C.