WoodSongs Announces Distribution Date To Benefit Eastern Kentucky Flood Victims

Mountain Top Media TV & WKYT-TV reports on why & how the effort came together

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum joins effort as instrument donation drop-off point

Those wishing to donate instruments or services may visit WoodSongs.com/Flood or
email [email protected] for assistance

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 13, 2022) – Folksinger Michael Johnathon and the WoodSongs broadcast wants to help restore the music of Appalachia’s front porches after torrential rains washed away homes, businesses, bridges and, for many, music instruments in communities of eastern Kentucky.  WoodSongs will replace musical instruments for FREE for any person or organization affected by the floods.

Hundreds of playable music instruments of all kinds are being actively collected at several drop-off locations across the state until Friday, September 30.  

After the instruments are inspected, polished, and refurbished with new strings and made presentation-ready they will be distributed to those in need. 

The distribution date to deliver instruments has been arranged for Saturday, October 29 at the Knott County Central High School parking lot (76 Patriot Lane, Hindman, KY 41822) from 1-5pm ET. Any resident of the flooded areas in Knott, Letcher, Johnson, Pike, Perry, or Breathitt counties can come and receive FREE replacement guitars, banjos, fiddles, dulcimers, band instruments while supplies last.

“I believe that love is the greatest transaction of the arts, it drives everything we do, everything we create and everything we feel,” Johnathon said. “This is a time to put our politics, opinions and divisions aside and be loving neighbors to those in real, actual need. Let’s not underestimate the comfort music and art can bring to families and neighbors in a time of great loss. When the time is right, we will be there.”

This past March the WoodSongs completed a similar project for the communities destroyed by tornadoes in western Kentucky, collecting nearly 1,000 musical instruments from across America for musicians in Mayfield, Dawson Springs and other regions in Western Kentucky (woodsongs.com/tornado).

If you need an instrument replaced, be at Knott County Central High School on Saturday, October 29 between 1-5pm ET. Instruments will be given free of charge, first come first served. It is recommended you visit WoodSongs.com/flood to reserve your request.

DONATIONS NEEDED:
Band instruments of all kinds: trumpets, trombones, flutes, drums, clarinets, guitars, banjos, fiddles, mandolins, keyboards, upright basses, electric instruments, amps, etc. You can bring your donated instrument to any of the locations listed below, or ship directly to Currier’s Music World in Richmond by Friday September 30.

To donate large instruments like a piano or drums send an email to [email protected], describing what you have, include a photo and your contact information. WoodSongs will connect your donation with a new home.

PRIMARY DROP-OFF & SHIPPING ADDRESS:

Currier’s Music World
292 S 2nd St.
Richmond, KY 40475
Phone: (859) 623-6010
*include ‘WoodSongs’ on package

ADDITIONAL DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

LEXINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
1733 Russell Cave Rd.
Lexington, KY 40505
Phone: (859) 231-500

KENTUCKY CENTER FOR TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Morehead State University
186 East First Street
Morehead, KY 40351
Phone: (606) 783-9001

KENTUCKY SCHOOL OF BLUEGRASS & TRADITIONAL MUSIC
Hazard Community College
One Community College Drive
Hazard, KY 41701
Phone: (606) 4387-3630

KENTUCKY MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM
2590 Richmond St
Mount Vernon, KY 40456
Phone: (606) 256-1000

MOUNTAIN MUSIC EXCHANGE
5171 N Mayo Trail
Pikeville, KY 41501
Phone: (606) 437-5551

MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER
50 Hal Rogers Dr
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Phone: (606) 886-2623

MOUNTAIN HEALTH ARENA
1 Civic, Center Plaza
Huntington, WV  25701
Phone: (304) 696-5990

*Additional drop-off locations will be posted as they are confirmed at WoodSongs.com/Flood

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