• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

stingray96191

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
771
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
So I signed onto Facebook this morning to check my updates and see what was new.. And who here can guess what it told me? Two years ago today i was truly blessed by the generosity and selfless nature of the Members of this web forum. For those not in the know, i have un operable brain tumors, and was in the beginning stages of the treatment that has been ongoing since the middle of 2009. I was knee deep in medical debt, and trying to sell some gear to help pay the bills. I had also recently ordered and paid for a yet to be delivered Big Al Dargie 2 Bass... And was really up a creek. Well that day, Sterling put a challenge out to the members of the forum, to start a collection for me. That if they could raise the $2500 i was trying to get for my guitars he would build the Big AL for me and give it to me as a gift. The response was incredible. Over the course of 48 hours everyone here had raised over $7000 to help me out, and I had a new Bass on the way.

2 years later.. I'm still around.. I have gone through Chemo, Radiation, Different Chemo.. more Different Chemo, and put more Steroids, Speed, Anti Nausea Medicine, and Sleeping Pills in my body than i ever thought i would. But I still get out of bed every day, and i still know how to rock and roll. I started a band where i sing and play bass. Ernie and the Berts | Sleazy Muppet Rock and that helps to keep my mind off what is still very much going on in my brain and spine. I got married to a true saint of a woman.. the love of my life, and my best friend. How she puts up with me i really don't know. But most of all i have not and will not forget the kindness and generosity that the members here showed me that day, and every day since then.

Currently I have opted to discontinue the chemotherapy treatments. After two years of being a zombie on chemicals i decided i would rather live my life for as long as i can.. than exist in a world without really living. I still take the steroids and the speed, and the sleeping pills to make my body function, but i feel pretty good, and i have all pod you to thank.

Sincerely

Erin Payne

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JayDawg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
1,880
Location
Sterling, Colorado
Erin,

I never knew your entire story. You are in my thoughts and prayers! If there is anything that we can do for you, please don't ever hesitate to ask.

Had I been a member 2 years ago, I would have contributed too.

Sterling Ball and the members of this site have gone up and beyond the call of duty so many times that it isn't even funny. I've told my wife that if we ever get into a position of wealth, the 3 charities I want to always support are the different cancer treatment foundations fighting to help find a cure, Childrens hospital due to our youngest son having to have open heart surgery 2 years ago and the Casey Ball Foundation due to the kindness and awareness that Sterling has done through that foundation.

Erin, a friends band is also out of Pittsburgh. They are always touring but if I ever get a chance to get back and there and see them play, I would also love to see your band play to support you as well! Keep your spirits up and keep on fighting!
Jay
 

stingray96191

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 3, 2002
Messages
771
Location
Pittsburgh, PA
The people here are good people.. The ones that are not don't stick around to long. I hope one day I can make the kind of impact on somebody's life the way everyone here has done for me.
 

Holdsg

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
1,320
Location
Alta Loma, CA
The instruments first attracted me to EBMM, but its stories like yours that make me a loyal customer. Fantastic job everyone on the forum, and keep on a-rockin Erin.
 
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mstott25

Member
Joined
Dec 24, 2006
Messages
22
Location
Sierra Vista, AZ
Wow Erin, that is a touching story, I was completely unaware of your circumstances. I just started going through all of this with my father last month and it rocks an entire family - medically, emotionally, financially.

I'm impressed but not surprised by the reaction of Sterling Ball and the members here. This kind of behavior is what drew me to this forum a few years back.
 

TNT

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 18, 2005
Messages
3,576
Location
Oakland - Raider Nation!
Erin,

Hey buddy, I feel the same way - fantastic company and forumites. Lots of kind-heartedness from owner, management, and on down to customers and fans.

And, I'm sure you may already know this, one of my favorite passages: "...all things are possible with God". Love it!!
 

ptg

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 9, 2007
Messages
309
Location
New York
Erin,

I float in and out of the forum and never heard your entire story!

God bless you and your family!
 

strummer

Enormous Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2005
Messages
4,513
Location
Safe European Home, Stockholm, Sweden
Erin, you know we love you, and I say good call on the speed and steroids, that **** makes things happen;-)

In all seriousness, I hope we'll have you around for many years to come, and I'm proud to have had a small part in rising to Sterlings' challenge.
 
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