As I have just finished the latest album "Beautiful Day", I am in the process of promoting that and beginning to think about the World Funk Pop Rock record that has been planned to come after the mellow rock album requested by Roots A'Risin' fans that I do of my "acoustic" style songs.  Well, it turned out to be more than an "acoustic" album, and so amazing with the guests included on it.  I am working on raising money for the next full-production album to be done at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, CA.  I am asking that people donate from $3-$3,000.  Every bit helps and just know that it took me about $30,000 to create and finish the "Beautiful Day" record from start to finish.

If you donate between $30 and $3,000, you will recieve many free gifts ranging from released CDs, live un-released CDs, special un-released live performance videos, merchandise like stickers, t-shirts, collectable posters, and even private in-home concerts when I am scheduled to be in your area.  Obviously, if you live in the San Francisco Bay area or around Washington, DC/New York City area it will be easier to do the in-home concerts sooner than later, but I am open to anyone who donates getting what they want in a timely manner.


Every dollar donated counts and means so much to me, that's why for every dollar donated I will give 10 cents to the Hearts for Kids Foundation.  www.heartsforkids.org

I had a chance to meet the founder of the Hearts for Kids Foundation, Peter, and was very taken by his story, having a daughter myself.   Peter Mbogo Kamau, following the death of his daughter from rheumatic heart disease, founded THAP in Kenya in 1992. He turned his grief to action, devoting himself full-time to helping the thousands of patients who suffer from heart defects and disease. THAP is a registered nongovernmental organization in Kenya and a tax exempt 501c3 nonprofit organization in the United States.

Kenya and East Africa have a significant number of children and youth that suffer from rheumatic heart disease due to poor living conditions and complications from rheumatic fever. A type of bacteria found in the water when left untreated can lead to rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever results in various symptoms including sore throats, and complications of rheumatic fever can lead to rheumatic heart disease, in which the valves that regulate the flow of blood to and from the heart are destroyed.

A common treatment for rheumatic fever is an anti-malarial medication that is readily available to the public. Unfortunately, without the proper attention a sore throat may become strep throat, a much more serious infection, which left untreated leads to rheumatic heart disease and valve damage. Rheumatic heart disease, therefore, is a common serious illness in these areas. Prevention of rheumatic fever involves prompt, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, especially for school-aged children and those living in crowded areas.

Since 1992, THAP has assisted 46 patients to undergo successful heart surgery in Kenya, India, Italy and the United States. Of the 46, more than half of those patients have been helped since 2002. The medical care that Hearts for Kids assists in providing includes pre-op diagnosis, coordinating facilities/physicians, arranging overnight and extended-stay accommodations, transportation to/from hospital facilities, and post-op care.