A Few Weekend Photos

[bovinehost]

I'm sort of used to being around Luke and BP is himself a pretty impressive music industry human, and of course Johnny B Goode Ferrarro gets around a bit, too. Then there was the Dallas crowd - including Dave LaRue.

And Chuck Rainey - to me, Chuck is Bass Royalty. If all he had ever done was those Aretha records, that would have been enough....but hoo, there was more!

I guess I'm saying I'm not often too freaked out about meeting music people, but by god, that Albert Lee is Rock Royalty. I was kind of nervous about falling down and quivering in a pool of my own saliva, but yessirree, there are good reasons BP loves Albert so much (and vice versa). What a fine gentleman he is!

By the way, BP is reticent to talk too much about the CLB and what it is and what it does because he doesn't want anyone to think he's punching you in the mouth for donations or bragging about what good stuff he does, but in case you haven't read the official explanation, here it is:

"The Casey Lee Ball Foundation is a nonprofit organization where 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to pediatric kidney research. There are over 50 terminal diseases, yet kidney research has no famous spokesperson, no glamour, and as a result, it is dramatically under-funded. Casey Lee Ball, third son of Sterling Ball, President of Ernie Ball, Inc., was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease at age two. At age five, while Casey and Sterling were recuperating from kidney transplant surgery at UCLA, they decided to create the Casey Lee Ball Foundation."

(This doesn't quite convey the reality, nor do I claim to know it all, but I can tell you that Sterling gave one of his kidneys to Casey.)


"The major source of funding for the Casey Lee Ball Foundation has been the Casey Lee Ball Golf Classic, an annual charity golf tournament held with celebrity guests including Bill Murray, Jack Nicholson, Joe Pesci, Andy Garcia, John Brodie, Robert Urich, Wayne Gretzky, Chris Guest, Scott Hamilton, Cheech Marin, Chris Myers, Meatloaf, Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, Alice Cooper, Dweezil Zappa, George Clooney, and more. Now in its twelfth year, the event has evolved into a top level pro-am tournament featuring PGA professionals including Jonathan Kaye, Peter Jacobson, Scott McCarron, Jeff Sluman, Shaun Michael, Rich Beem, and many more."

"Another source of income comes from auctions held on Ebay. In the past, with the kind generosity of Steve Vai and Christopher Guest (a.k.a. Nigel Tufnel of Spinal Tap), substantial amounts have been raised."

"Since it's inception, The Casey Lee Ball Foundation has raised over five million dollars! This is a true charity. No one will make any money from these auctions except pediatric kidney disease researchers dressed in white coats! Again, every dollar raised goes directly to research. There are no administrative fees, no overhead, and all management, accounting, and legal fees are done pro bono."

"Our fundraising efforts help to pay for much needed research. As a result of this research, several new medicines have made it to market in record time and are now helping to reduce the side effects of kidney transplant anti-rejection medicines. At present, a transplant is only a treatment, not a cure for kidney disease."

"When you go to UCLA for Kidney disease treatment, you go to the the Casey Lee Ball Kidney Research Center, where we endowed a chair. This represents a million dollar contribution and one of only six chairs at UCLA that are endowed, ensuring kidney research will go on in perpetuity."

Last Saturday night, we watched the interaction, the love and the respect between Sterling, his family and the head research guy from UCLA, who also brought two of his award-winning researchers along with him to get some much-deserved recognition. God bless them every one.

On Friday night, there were some well-known music industry execs, fashion designers, sports figures, Olympic gold medalists and musicians who came together to celebrate and support the good work that Sterling and the CLB Foundation have done and will, with the support of those people at Sterling's house, continue to do. It's not my place to name names, but let me just say that the recognition for what the Foundation does cuts across many, many lines.

I just want to be sure that you guys understand what last weekend was all about. Yes, we all had a fine time, and it was a great party. But it wasn't like the Open House or Dallas. It was about continuing to work to save lives, including those of some people we all know and admire (and, okay - love).

So the next time an item goes up for auction to benefit the Casey Lee Ball Foundation, if you didn't know before, you do now.

God bless Sterling Ball and his family.

Jack

 

[Big Poppa]

Jack is being very nice...But I really am reluctant to trade on my sons illness or any kids. I can tell you that I made a promise 14 years ago to raise as much money as I could and serve them in any way I could.

I will name names because these people are just too kind....Mossimo Giannuli the clothing guy is a big supporter, Scott and Tracie Hamilton give 6 figures annually, Jimmy and Janet Daddario have given each year a ton of money and will hit the million dollar mark in just a few years. Marty and the fine folks at Guitar Center are big supporters too. Bill Murray gives money just about each year and unfortunately missed the events due to a family crisis. His brothers played on without him. Rodney Crowell came with his crew and played free in my living room and I couldnt even pay expenses.... He did manage to make me cry though....Luke has been there since day one with any kind of support..from the waiting room for the six surgeries to playing anytime asked. There are so many people that buy into what we are doing and our family is eternally grateful. WE even had the American Idol...(he was the last to leave)

The PGA pros are just great and were all at the Sunday Party. Jimmy D'Addario got first two picks and picked Rich Beem and Jason Gore. I picked the newest greatest player Anthony Kim and he played on the ball boys team , Poppa Scotty Brian Scotty Hamilton (my adopted son..joking but I call him son). Anthony had a hole in one and gave me the signed ball. Watch for him to make alot of news this year in golf.

I think that Jack and Ben and Tyler saw some really warm people who put their sucess to good work unhearaldedly.

Im so tired...I caddied at the hope for Scotty and worked the namm show by day and then commuted by night for many dinners that entertain and lure supporters and then we had two official dinners followed by a breakfast and another banquet.

We hit a home run. Saturdays party we collected over $200,000.00 and will probably hit $600,000 for the weekend. The Casey Lee Ball foundation is well over 7 million now (the website is out of date) and we are the largest private pediatric kidney foundation in the world. There are four drugs that are on the market that kids worldwide take that we helped bring to the market along with a boatload of cuting edge research. We also bring some concepts and discipline that are being adopted hospital wide.

PS Jack that research guy is the chief of staff.....

Ben and tyler it is ok to talk about the weekend...... How was the Kobe beef?

 

[phatduckk]

We hit a home run. Saturdays party we collected over $200,000.00 and will probably hit $600,000 for the weekend. The Casey Lee Ball foundation is well over 7 million now (the website is out of date) and we are the largest private pediatric kidney foundation in the world. There are four drugs that are on the market that kids worldwide take that we helped bring to the market along with a boatload of cuting edge research. We also bring some concepts and discipline that are being adopted hospital wide.

rock on!!!

 

[Oldtoe]

The Kobe beef was exceptional, Boss, as was the hospitality. Rodney made me cry, too. That last song hit way close to home. What a superb musician. He reminds me a lot of Lyle Lovett; which isn't all that odd, since they're both Houston boys. The Friday evening shindig bordered on the surreal for this Texas boy. You and your wife have a marvelous way of making people feel welcome, though. You and Stacey touched my entire family's heart.

The purpose of the whole weekend wasn't lost on us by a long shot. We are always at your service in any capacity that can benefit CLB.

 

[bovinehost]

Jack is being very nice...

Jeez, don't let that get out. I have an image to maintain.

I will tell you forumites a story that will embarrass BP - a story that he doesn't even suspect that I know.

BP has a friend - let's call him Leonard. And Leonard has a daughter who is very, very sharp. At some point in the not-too-distant past, Leonard's daughter was recognized as the smartest, bestest student in the state.

So she got a write-up in their local paper, which I believe was South Carolina, although that detail escapes me now. But Leonard's wife finds out and calls him, tells him to run down to the store, get some newspapers, dammit!

So he does. And sure enough, there on the front page, is a photo of his daughter and an article in which the reporter does a little Q&A.

And question number three or four is, "Who do you admire most?"

Leonard's daughter says, "Sterling Ball."

Leonard is telling me this in the Palm Springs airport, and he says, "You know, she could have mentioned me, but no - Sterling Ball."

And all I can do is laugh and that's what he's doing, too, because we both know that his daughter is not alone. I think to myself that actually Leonard and I might be members of that club, too.

Scott and Tracie Hamilton give 6 figures annually

And you want to talk about odd moments in history? (MY history, in any case.) I'm standing there, talking to BP about God knows what, and the front door opens and BP says, "Jack, do you know Albert Lee and Scott Hamilton?"

Well - no. No, I don't. I didn't get to spend much time with Scott H on Friday, but he showed up early on Saturday at the sound check and I fell completely in love with his three year old, who (Ben doesn't know this) did a pretty good job at slap bass on Ben's Bongo. What a great kid and what a great father.

Jimmy and Janet Daddario have given each year a ton of money and will hit the million dollar mark in just a few years.

Ah, the 'fierce competitior', and also just one hell of a nice couple. And do not doubt it - Jimmy knows more Beatles songs than you do, and Janet knows the harmony vocal parts.

Marty and the fine folks at Guitar Center are big supporters too.

I was sure glad to see Marty again so that I could thank him for his help and support in Dallas. For you guys who were there and maybe didn't know this, that stage setup wouldn't have been possible without Marty and GC.

Scotty Hamilton (my adopted son..joking but I call him son).

Well, his boy calls you Uncle Sterling, so I'm not so sure you're not in for the long haul on that one, boss.

I think that Jack and Ben and Tyler saw some really warm people who put their sucess to good work unhearaldedly. Im so tired...

There is not much I can ever do for you, but the opportunity to talk up these great people is one thing I will do whenever I can.

PS Jack that research guy is the chief of staff.....Ben and tyler it is ok to talk about the weekend...... How was the Kobe beef?

Bob, right? I won't soon forget him. And I know those guys, all of them, will never forget you.

Now, the Kobe Beef. I wasn't even hungry, as Tyler and crew had forced me to eat at La Quinta, which is hardly a bad experience, but Luke kept telling me I had to eat the Kobe beef, they fed the cows beer or massaged them or played them Yanni or something (and Luke loves Yanni), so I had to have one....and then I had to have another.....if beef can actually be like butter, that would be it.

BP, you can't imagine how glad I am that you opened the door for me to talk about this a little bit. Not the beef, the CLB Foundation.

Now cook some Peruvian food!

Jackie

 

[SteveB]

Now cook some Peruvian food!

Lock up your guinea pigs!

 

[robelinda2]

wow i wanna meet Albert Lee he looks like the greatest guy!!!

Tiff, that would be just cool! I like nice people.

 

[midopa]

Thanks for the great reads, guys. Love this company and the people behind it.

 

[francric]

I also have to Thank you guys for sharing............it's really cool to come here and read these great stories. Especially since I have had the pleasure of meeting you guys. It really adds a personal touch.

 

[Eggman]

It is indeed a rare thing to have a foundation that does such great work - do so with no overhead. BP - you have raised the bar for charities. I hope other foundations will follow your lead.

I once did a summer internship for a national charitable organization and was shocked to see how much money went to expenses other than directly funding the charitable causes the organization purported to support. Big cars for execs, fancy lunches and events, clothing allowances - you name it. I would guess that more than 50% went to overhead and wasteful expenses.

BP - I am involved in a project that will support the charity of my choice and I would like to support the CLB Foundation. I would like to talk to you about that, should you have an interest and a free moment.

Reading this thread about all your good work really makes me feel good. Congratulations on the wonderful weekend and your CLB work.

 

[Big Poppa]

Eggman
Give me a call at 800 543 2255

 

[kbaim]

Another fantastic thread that shows the depth and humanity of the many people orbiting the BALL family...not to mention the great work of the Ball family.

 

[Colin]

I have an unbelievable kidney donor story on our breakfast program next Monday. I'll post links to the audio after it happens. I've been waking up in the middle of the night thinking about this story. My hat goes off to you BP... as most of us don't realize what the process involves.

 

[fogman]

My hat goes off to you BP... as most of us don't realize what the process involves.

+1

 

[wolfbone07]

Thanks for sharing. Those pics are great.

 

[Eggman]

Eggman
Give me a call at 800 543 2255

I did late last week. Left you a message in your voicemail. I know you are busy - call when you can.

Egg

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Just more proof of how much good work the Ball family do - and another reason of why we're all so damned fond of them all

As if they didn't do enough for charity already, BP was kind enough, along with a large number of other people here, to donate a lot of money to my charity fund when I was jumping out of a plane - it will make such a difference to kids here in the UK and is enormously appreciated.

We don't tell you enough how much good work you all do, in so many ways, so here's saying thankyou