Sterling's kind of party!...

[DesertFiddler]

Dear Mr. Ball,

My name is Eric Frankson and I live in La Quinta, CA. I'm a local fiddler and pianoman. I'm also the Principal 2nd violinist with the Coachella Valley Symphony. I'm a director on the CVS Board, and teach group violin classes at various elementary schools in La Quinta and Indio for the Beginning Strings Conservatory. Add to that my participation with the Virginia Waring Intl. Piano Competition, and I'm pretty ingrained in the music scene in the Valley community.

Being also a rock fiddler, I've had to schlepp my gear like the rest of the band in 115 degree heat, to set up and play for of handful of people who don't give a damn. Me and hundreds of other musicians in this valley that play the cheap roadhouse gigs, the noisy restaurants, the outside weddings...

I thought we deserved a 'reward', a treat for being such noble guardians of 'Music' in such a tough place as the Coachella Valley. So I got together with Rick Jones at the new Indio Performing Arts Center (the old 'Twisters' building) and are co-producing a concert of local artists.

It's actually a bit more then that...

'ROCK the IPAC!' is a 12 hour rockfest celebrating LOCAL talent. It is being held on Sept. 6th, from 10 am till 10 pm. There are 5 stages being run concurrently, with a Pro Jam at the end.

So far 28 bands have agreed to play a set. We will have a total of 32 bands and 10 cabaret acts! These acts include entertainers that have been part of the local scene for the last 40 years. Three 'Hall-of-Fame' bands have been chosen as a 'headliner' on the main stages. Three stages are set in 120 seat movie theaters. One will be called the "Pro Stage" for smaller cover bands, one the "Eclectic Stage" for unique talented solo or duo acts, and finally, "Rick's Garage" for new bands and bands appealing to the 'under 25' set.

All proceeds will go the the Indio Performing Arts Center and it's children's education programs. There's a 'Vendor's Row' where the bands can sell their CD's for free, and various music suppliers can advertise their wares.

Pretty cool, huh?

Mr. Ball, I certainly could use your experience and expertise to help me pull this off. This is going to be a 'one-stop-shop' for restaurant and bar owners, local agents, and recording labels to see the very best the Coachella Valley has to offer. But the logistics, while managed, are growing exponentially every day.

I've seen you and your buddies rockin' on the stage a couple of years ago. The musical joy and elation you showed then is what I am hoping to supply to our local musicians, music lovers, and industry professionals on Sept. 6th.

Only 600 day-passes will be sold at $20 a piece. What a deal! This will be possibly the greatest local concert ever held in the Valley. I hope Ernie Ball Strings and Music Man will consider helping our cause.

Thanks for your consideration!

Eric Frankson
DesertFiddler