My close friend, kumpare, and bandmate, Egay Imperio, is ill. He has hyperthyroidism with complications that cause his heart to fibrillate. Thus he gets easily fatigued and has been out of work the past year/months. Sad thing is that he doesn't really have much material wealth. You'd be surprised at how someone so talented and generous could live so simply. (Pero sa non-financial, he is the most generous guy I know. He will willingly give or lend you whatever he has -- whether music, knowledge, advise, etc. He's very intellectual and has a good, pure soul. Role model ko itong taong ito.).
Egay is the harmonica player of the legendary 70s blues rock band, Labuyo (which originally sang Tuloy Pa Rin and Batugan). He has sessioned w/ the country's top artists the past decades. He played harp on (my former band) Soul Dredgers' one and only commercial recording. He is the resident blues harpist of Soul Benders and he and I have done many duets in concert, gigs, and radio.
I'm thinking of putting together a benefit concert to raise funds to help him with his medical costs and other needs. I will talk to some friends who are into producing shows. Maybe QC venue since he has a lot of friends here. Or it could be a series of shows all around Metro Manila para marami ma-raise na funds. Depende sa reaction.
Guys, if you wish to support, please post here how you might help -- whether to help organize, play w/ ur band, or just watch the show. Others (especially expats/Fil-Ams) could also just donate directly. All net proceeds will go to Egay. I'll figure out how the money can be received by his wife, Mimay, directly. If you wanna give me advise on how to organize this, pls PM me.
Jim (pinoymusika) - Do you know how I can contact Mon Espia so the Labuyo guys can get involved?