Most of you probably know that the guitar has been a big part of my life for 50 years.

Most of you have also probably heard about the devastating floods in Alberta in June that forced more than a hundred thousand people to abandon their homes to walls of water, submerging much of Calgary.

These two seemingly-unrelated narratives intersected a couple of days ago when I learned (a bit late) that Amos Garrett, one of my guitar heroes, a huge influence on my playing, one of the most unique and revered guitarists in pop, R&B, blues, folk and country music history and a friend .. was one of those people.

Amos’s musical chronology and influence is too long to detail here, but take it from me, he is guitar royalty. His playing on “Midnight at the Oasis,” Maria Muldaur’s 1974 hit, remains, unquestionably,  one of the most famous guitar solos in pop music.  Beyond that, think Emmylou Harris, Stevie Wonder, Paul Butterfield, Bonnie Raitt, Geoff Muldaur, Ian and Sylvia, The Heavenly Blue, Jesse Winchester … and hundreds more.

Amos has lived in High River, just south of Calgary for many years. During the June flood, seven feet of water cascaded into his basement, destroying many of his guitars, a rich lifetime’s personal possessions, his wife Denise’s home office and, with cruel irony, Amos’ prized fly-fishing gear. Much of the rest of the house was also severely damaged: like other affected Alberta residents, his insurance does not cover flood damage; clean-up and repairs will easily reach into the six-figures.

Fundraisers have already been held in Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto.

You can contribute to the life-rebuilding effort for Amos and Denise, his wife – and to getting Amos out playing again right away! – here’s how:

1. MAIL : checks payable to “Amos Garrett” and mail to:
501 8 Street SW, High River, AB T1V 1B9

2. You can DIRECTLY use Interac® e-Transfer from your Canadian bank account to Amos by email …… send a transfer (check your bank’s easy system for doing this) to amosg@shaw.ca

3. PayPal: If you don’t already have an account, go to the this link and click sign up.
Once in, find the “send money” tab to your top left and send to info@meetyourmusic.ca

4. ATB Financial: In Alberta, you can go to any ATB Financial branch and donate directly to this intrust account
07209 -219-00186665600 (need more details, check out this link   for MeetYourMusic.ca in Calgary)

All contributions will go directly to Amos & his wife.

thanks for helping … and please share this email if you feel so inclined!

Frank