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Topic: Please see my post about Tony Locke in Extended Family |
Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 11:47 am For non-members who can't accesss Extended Family |
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Our friend and fellow steel player, Tony Locke, has run into some very unforeseen and difficult times. He was the recipient of a savage beating that has left him incapacitated and unable to play the gigs on Wayne Hancock's tour. Tony is at home recovering now.
Without getting into the details and making a court case out of this (that day will hopefully come), I'm asking our steel playing, steel loving friends to help ease Tony's burden, as significant medical costs have accumulated as a result of this beating. That and all the lost wages and that puts a serious dent in any professional musician's ability to keep afloat.
If you're interested in making a donation, I'm accepting donations for Tony at Paypal. I will also provide my address in the event you'd like to send a check or money order. I don't normally do these kind of things, but this is as good a time as any to start, as Tony is a really good guy, as many will attest.
To make a donation: Tony Locke Fund
Thanks friends,
Mike Neer (mike@mikeneer.com)
For more on the story there is a link to an Austin 360 blog that tries to tell both sides and also links to a graphic, horrific photo of Tony. Again, I do not want to open up a debate, I just want to help Tony.
Story link:
http://tinyurl.com/dlaxsb
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Mark Roeder
From:
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 12:09 pm
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| Thanks for posting this Mike. We should keep this bumped to the top for sometime. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 12:59 pm
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Mike, thanx for what you're doing to help Tony.
Is there an address or? we can send $ to? Many of us who are willing and able to pony up will need another venue than paypal. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 1:10 pm
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Thanks, Ron.
Payment can be sent directly by mail to Tony at:
Tony Locke
4502 Ari Court
Austin TX 78741
Thanks to all who have donated so far.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 3:51 pm
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Yes we should absolutely keep this bumped up.
Mike's other post in Extended Family should be maintained too, as it will be seen by more people.
I talked to Tony a little while ago, he's pretty groggy from the pain meds.
His medical bills are adding up fast - they include a catscan and several procedures that were necessary.
He won't be going back to play with the Hancock band even after he has recovered.
Can't say as I blame him.
But that doesn't diminish how he distinguished himself immensely during his tenure with the band - there are quite a few great videos on line that demonstrate his excellent playing.
This should never happen to anyone, but especially not to a guy like Tony. He's a truly good guy - thoughtful, considerate and easy going. A gentleman.
Izzy Zaidman, on the other hand, is nothing but a cowardly punk.
Pardon my directness, but this makes me really mad.
Izzy could have killed Tony, he almost did - for no reason, in a fit of rage.
Tony was walking away and Izzy knocked him unconscious from behind - then proceeded to kick him in the face repeatedly with his steel toed boots. Tony woke up being kicked and he thought he was going to die.
Then Izzy walked away and left him there.
Izzy was later overheard talking to someone on the phone gloating and bragging about it.
Then afterward he tried to play it off to the press, claiming it was a fair fight and that he was protecting himself.
Izzy didn't have a scratch on him.
There's no danger of opening a debate - what is there to debate about?
So let's stuff those envelopes gentlemen - and push that PayPal button that Mike has set up for us.
This is going to cost a small fortune. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 4:30 pm
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It was an absolutely heartless, cowardly act. He's the kind of guy you never turn your back on. Hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him.
I'm sorry Tony's not going to be coming to NY in May, but I figured he wouldn't. Tony, maybe I'll see you in Dallas next year.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Scott Thomas
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 4:46 pm
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It has been a pleasure recently discovering Tony and his fantastic playing through the forum and watching the video clips that have been posted. This is so appalling. I'm just really sad and angry at the same time. Mike, thanks for getting out front with this.
You are in our thoughts and prayers, Tony. |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 5:47 pm
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| Quote: |
| Hopefully, he'll get what's coming to him. |
They always do Mike. This will come back to bite his @$$ for sure.
Besides, who would hire him now?
People would be throwing rocks at him, so you don't want to be standing next to him on stage.
Some of those ol' boys don't always aim so good . .
| Quote: |
| Tony, maybe I'll see you in Dallas next year. |
Now you're talkin'! 
Tony said to count him in for the TSGA Non Pedal Session in Dallas next March, so he's on the roster as of today.
That gives him plenty of time to recuperate and get handsome again!
| Quote: |
| It has been a pleasure recently discovering Tony and his fantastic playing through the forum and watching the video clips that have been posted. |
Here are a couple of those videos.
I shot these at a Jan 31 show at the Kreepy Tiki in Ft Lauderdale FL:
VIPER
LONESOME HIGHWAY
That's Izzy on the left. Take a good look, and like Mike says - don't ever turn your back on him.
Tony plays some really sweet stuff in these tunes.
Last edited by Rick Alexander on 24 Apr 2009 6:00 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 5:57 pm
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I'm going to send the first of hopefully several checks to Tony tomorrow, this one for $205.
Thanks to everyone who has donated so far--I will pass all the info on to Tony.
If you can, even the smallest amount will help.
Thanks,
Mike
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 6:03 pm
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That's great Mike!
I'm putting an envelope in the mail in the morning too, so in a couple of days I hope it won't hurt him to smile . .
If anyone ever needed and deserved the help of his Steel Guitar Brethren as much as Tony does right now,
I'd like to know his name. |
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John Bushouse
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 6:46 pm
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| Absolutely unbelievable. There was nothing in the local paper about it (I'm local, too), so I e-mailed the music editor to ask why. |
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 7:09 pm
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This is a disturbing story. I will get something together here for Tony. These bills will not be cheap.
Thanks for the post Mike.
Todd |
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Jon Nygren
From:
Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 7:38 pm
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Shocking and disturbing. Im at a loss...
bump to top. |
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Drew Howard
From:
48854
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 9:33 pm
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| JESUS H CHRIST! I better call Huck. This is awful. I don't know Tony but traded emails. My best wishes for Tony's recovery. |
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Kevin Brown
From:
England
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Posted 24 Apr 2009 11:52 pm
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Just woke up and read this thread, I too traded emails with Tony on various magnatone queries and this is very sad news indeed, my best wishes to you Tony and your familly, , we'll sort you out buddy, your with friends here.
Last edited by Kevin Brown on 25 Apr 2009 9:18 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 1:11 am
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| Quote: |
| I better call Huck. |
Huck will shed some light on it for you Drew. He's the closest thing to an eye witness.
He was one of the first to see Tony afterward.
And it was Huck who overheard Izzy on the phone bragging about it. |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 6:05 am
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I've received $280 in donations up to now and I'm sending Tony a check this morning.
Thanks for your generosity everyone, please keep it coming, whatever you can swing.
Mike
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Tom Pettingill
From:
California, USA (deceased)
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Todd Clinesmith
From:
Lone Rock Free State Oregon
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 8:33 am Bump
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I just sent in a donation... one of a few coming. I ask folks to put them selves in Tony's position and help out with what you can. Dig in and then a little deeper. I don't know what I could do if I was in this situation.
Todd |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 5:36 pm
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I just posted a comment on Izzy's MySpace.
I'm sure he'll delete it the minute he sees it.
Here's the URL.
http://www.myspace.com/grizzlysguitarlessons
I also sent him a private message. Here it is:
| Quote: |
Izzy, nobody is buying your story about a fair fight.
Everybody knows what really happened.
You need to do three things:
1. Man up and admit the truth - that you cold cocked him from behind and kicked him in the face repeatedly in a fit of rage - while he lay there helpless.
2. Pay his medical bills!
3. Get some professional help - as in anger management.
I used to admire your playing, but now it doesn't matter if you can play well or not.
You just got fired from the best gig you'll ever have.
Anyone would have to be pretty stupid to hire you after this!
Sincerely,
Rick Alexander |
Last edited by Rick Alexander on 26 Apr 2009 7:33 pm; edited 3 times in total |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 6:49 pm
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Rick, while I can definitely appreciate your intentions and empathize with your anger, I really don't want this to turn into that kind of thing. I'd like to just stay focused on helping Tony out.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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Anthony Locke
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 7:45 pm
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| I am very grateful for all of the help and support I am receiving from everyone, but I would ask to please not send hate mail, even if he deserves it. Nothing positive will come of it. |
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Rick Alexander
From:
Florida, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 25 Apr 2009 8:00 pm
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Mike, you're right of course - we should focus on helping Tony.
I just felt very strongly that it's also important not to let this go by.
It's apparent that Izzy won't be prosecuted for this crime, since it happened in KC and both he and Tony are now in Austin.
And a civil suit would be futile - Izzy doesn't have anything to sue for.
Izzy is still claiming it was a fair fight and he was defending himself - so people need to know what really happened.
But they pretty much do, so I'll knock it off now.
Tony, I'm done now. Sorry if I upset you.
I didn't really consider it hate mail, more like truth mail.
I did what I did and said what I said, and I stand by it - and now we'll just focus on helping you.
To that end, I put a letter in the mail this morning.
Last edited by Rick Alexander on 26 Apr 2009 4:49 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Mike Neer
From:
NJ
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Posted 26 Apr 2009 11:40 am
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We've raised $595 to date, I think we have a little ways to go. Please dig deep and send if you can swing it.
I spoke with Tony today and he's on the road to recovery. It's really important to lift his spirits up and remind him of all the friends he has and the ones he has yet to meet.
_________________
Links to streaming music, websites, YouTube: Links |
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