R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:04:02

Hey Guys,

I was waiting until Pharis or Jason posted something on Facebook and just saw a note there. Please send positive thoughts up to BC. The Romeros' shop, with five brand new banjos and all their personal instruments burned to the ground last night. F-ing terrible. Everyone is ok but you can probably imagine how much time, work and love was in that building. As well as their livelihood, building and musical.

Edited by - R. Blakeslee Gilpin on 06/05/2016 11:04:39

tjolson81 - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:22:34

So sad, I've been watching their builds on Instagram and they had the most amazing looking resonator banjo just yesterday. Hope everybody is okay.

Ken LeVan - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:35:26

A terrible shame. I hope he's OK and able to rebuild it as soon as possible.

BNJOMAKR - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:38:24

Winged Words - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:45:20

Jason emailed me a little earlier. Mine was one of the new banjos they lost. I lost a small hobby workshop to a fire many years ago and it's a horrible experience. All the jigs and templates, the special little tools. All the little drawers of bits and pieces. It's desperately sad for them.

Do let them know you're thinking of them.

And weren't those new Instagram pictures something!? Mine was the maple openback with a cloud on the peg head and a pine tree on the scoop plate. Watching them transform my vague ideas of what I wanted into a genuine Romero was an amazing experience and I'll be looking forward to working with them again in the future.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 06/05/2016:  11:59:15

An awful blow to such fine, talented folks. I wish them all the best on rebuilding their business. 

DD

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 06/05/2016:  12:24:25

That's very sad news.  I hope they are able to find the energy to get up and going again after such a blow.  I'm glad that they are all safe.

Zach

EggerRidgeBoy - Posted - 06/05/2016:  12:34:57

Very sad news. I can imagine it will be a very difficult year, trying to rebuild after a loss like that. I will probably never be able to own one of their banjos, but I enjoy just watching them take shape on the website, and admiring the beauty, artistry, and craftmanship from "afar".

I hope the Hangout, or somebody here, will set up a way for us to contribute to the rebuilding.

GrizClaw - Posted - 06/05/2016:  12:48:46

I had the privilege of spending time with them at a banjo camp several years ago. They are the nicest most down to earth folks you could meet. I'm very sad for them and pray they are able to recover soon.

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 06/05/2016:  12:52:35

They are great people and such wonderful builders. Their website is always a bonding point when I meet banjo players. I had a pair of banjos in the building that were supposed to ship tomorrow. Jason wrote me on Thursday saying he'd rather wait til tomorrow because he doesn't like shipping on Fridays. Here they are. 13" birdseye maple, one semi fretless, one fully fretted. Freakin' gorgeous, as is everything they build, but this batch seemed particularly special.

 

 

 

bhniko - Posted - 06/05/2016:  12:56:15

My heart sand to the ground. At a loss for words but hopefully their will be a rainbow in their lives again.

Hopefully we can all contribute to a fund of some sort. Will be watching.

bartmcneil - Posted - 06/05/2016:  13:51:11

Hope they believed in having a good insurance policy. But in any case this sort of thing can set you back years.
They seem to build every instrument as an individual work of art.

As a real fan of their work and their music I am saddened. They are a unique pair with a unique sound and a unique product. Almost unheard of in today's competitive environment.

mainejohn - Posted - 06/05/2016:  13:53:28

quote:

---

Originally posted by EggerRidgeBoy

 

Very sad news. I can imagine it will be a very difficult year, trying to rebuild after a loss like that. I will probably never be able to own one of their banjos, but I enjoy just watching them take shape on the website, and admiring the beauty, artistry, and craftmanship from "afar".

I hope the Hangout, or somebody here, will set up a way for us to contribute to the rebuilding.

---

I think going to their website for their mailing address and sending them a check would be a good start. We're a huge community, and we can help.

Kernel - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:01:57

If you have a PayPal account you can log into your account at PayPal.com and send money to them at jason@romerobanjos.com and they'll get it right away into their bank account. Since it's between friends/family there is no charge. 

darylcrisp - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:09:36

quote:

---

Originally posted by Kernel

 

If you have a PayPal account you can log into your account at PayPal.com and send money to them at jason@romerobanjos.com and they'll get it right away into their bank account. Since it's between friends/family there is no charge. 

---

this is a fast quick way to send.

imagine if half the people here sent $5

d

Tim Purcell - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:22:00

Man...that is terrible!  I hate that for them....I know they will bounce back though...and be even stronger from the bad experience.

Tim

guitarman8491 - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:29:14

So very sad and a tremendous loss for a couple with such artistic talent. Most important is that neither they nor their children were harmed. I know they will recover and wish them the best!

cmox - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:37:23

This is a tragedy and loss to the banjo community.

bluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:37:35

So sorry to hear this. Simply awful. 

pernicketylad - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:38:04

Very sad. My heart goes out to them.
Watching them on the Banjo Builder Series they seem like such nice folks.
Great musicians and craftspeople.

bluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:39:19

Prayers and thoughts sent for this loss.

darylcrisp - Posted - 06/05/2016:  14:47:45

just noticed at this moment there has been 478 reads on this. if 1000 of us skip drinking a soda pop each day this week, and send that amount in $ today-right now, to paypal as Ken noted above, these fine folks of our community would have a huge blessing in the morning.

lets keep this thread alive and on top, and show action!

I'm in, $5 just sent via paypal.

next..................

rbergesch - Posted - 06/05/2016:  15:04:17

Maybe a slightly more organized funding campaign might be a crowdfunding source: Gofundme, or some such site.  Kick the campaign off here on BHO, then the crowdfunding software will help magnify the efforts of contributors. 

Take a few days.  Figure out out how much insurance covers.  Set a goal. Plan the campaign.  Come back here with an amount, and a campaign.  I'll be happy to come up with some $$, and I'm sure others here will, too.  But organize and go beyond...  

Good luck!

Paul R - Posted - 06/05/2016:  15:05:56

This is awful. I saw them at a small concert here a couple of years ago, and had a chance to talk with them and see little Indigo, and Jason let me try his banjo. But they seem dogged by bad luck - their tour proceedings were stolen from their truck when they headed back up to Horsefly. But this, with the loss of their own precious vintage instruments, is so much worse. Just thankful that everyone is okay.

myfavefive - Posted - 06/05/2016:  15:07:09

Thanks for the tip on sending donations via their Paypal account. I just sent $.  Usually these kind of grass roots $ raising efforts are related to health issues,  but in this case when someone's livelihood is so quickly turned upside down...just put yourself in their shoes and help out a good neighbor any way you can. 

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 06/05/2016:  15:12:09

Indescribably sad.
A true tragedy for the Romeros, the folks whose banjos were lost,
and the banjo world at large.

Perhaps WHEN they rebuild,
they should call it *Phoenix Banjos*.

Prayers and Best Wishes headed North.

jswkingsfield - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:00:09

Great idea, about sending funds via Paypal.  Done.

Jim Yates - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:25:13

Again, from Pharis Romero:

Hi friends - An update on our fire. First, holy cats, we are so blown away by the love coming our way. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

We don't have power, phone or internet (we are at our dear friend's house contacting insurance and letting folks know). We do have a place to sleep, although we lost our usual sleeping cabin to the fire (it's right next to the shop, that's how Jason spotted the fire right when it started).

We do have insurance, but are waiting on coverage information and claims amounts. We are looking at a minimum of 6 weeks before we can start rebuilding the shop, and then unknown months before we're building banjos again. But we ARE rebuilding.

One of the hardest parts of today was sorting through the burned rubble; the piles of vinyl records fused together, nothing but brass parts and truss rods left of finished banjos, bronze hardware melted together, and not even a trace of the old guitars.

We have had so many friends already putting together crowd funding and fundraisers and other support. I don't know specifics but we are intensely grateful on this crazy day. We love you. Intensely right now.

darylcrisp - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:30:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by rbergesch

 

 

Maybe a slightly more organized funding campaign might be a crowdfunding source: Gofundme, or some such site.  Kick the campaign off here on BHO, then the crowdfunding software will help magnify the efforts of contributors. 

Take a few days.  Figure out out how much insurance covers.  Set a goal. Plan the campaign.  Come back here with an amount, and a campaign.  I'll be happy to come up with some $$, and I'm sure others here will, too.  But organize and go beyond...  

Good luck!

 

 

---

i'd say close friends will set up a more organized campaign, even though they may have insurance coverage, it takes weeks sometimes to get anything, plus the instruments lost that were headed out soon, tools, plans, etc can't be recovered or built back quickly-lots of time lost and $.

a couple dollars from a 1000 or more of us right now sure wouldn't hurt them, and when the more organized funding starts, a few more from us will not be missed by most of us.

d

kmwaters - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:33:54

Insurance policies are worth their weight in gold for people who have these kinds of investments. I hope they had one. And if not then I hope the community steps up.

Baltimonkey - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:34:50

I am so sorry to hear, that is tragic.  I am so glad that everyone is okay...  Banjo's and stuff are replaceable, but people are not.

frailin - Posted - 06/05/2016:  16:43:23

Oh my.

I slept on the couch in Jason and Pharis' shop when I visited Horsefly to film their segment of the Banjo Builder series.    

Before parting for the night, Jason told me I could play any instrument there (which, of course, I did!).  I also walked into the wood drying room.  He had a stash of amazingly beautiful Claro walnut at that time which he talked about the next day in the film.  I remember an interesting assortment of patterns, jigs, tools and more neatly organized on his workstations as well.  

I found both Jason and Pharis very organized.  In addition to their artistic/creative gifts, I also see both as "structured planners" and "do-ers" What has happened is indeed a tragedy.  But their mindsets and abilities are strong and optimistic.  I know they will be back.  I see resilience as one of their joint strengths. 

So as with Vega, another great builder will have both "pre-fire" and "post-fire" instruments.  We can all rest assured there will be NO change in quality or customer service.  Jason and Pharis are remarkably resourceful, committed people.  I'm humbled to be a part of the same music community.  

This outpouring of BHO love for their losses also makes me proud.  

Winged Words - Posted - 06/05/2016:  17:15:08

Hey Craig - when they rebuild you just get yourself back to Horsefly and do Shop Talk 2 with them.
G

Banjo Studio - Posted - 06/05/2016:  19:54:28

terrible news.

RG - Posted - 06/05/2016:  21:12:42

Two of the nicest people you'll ever meet, sad to hear...

Pine Cone - Posted - 06/05/2016:  21:18:58

Such sad news.  

Bill Rogers - Posted - 06/05/2016:  21:23:59

A major bummer.  At least no one was hurt.  I can add nothing to what's been said in the posts above, except to say I agree with all.

Lyndon Smith - Posted - 06/06/2016:  02:29:52

Wow, that's seriously bad news, thank God no one was hurt...

hugh153 - Posted - 06/06/2016:  03:25:15

What a lovely way to support others.Just sent a small donation via paypal. Trying to set up my  own  small hobby workshop .and I would be devastated if even the little bits and pieces I have were lost . Hope they recover quickly from this blow.

twelvefret - Posted - 06/06/2016:  04:13:18

Didn't Mike Ramsey's shop burn a few years back? Fire is awful and intensely personal. Our fire in 2001 destroyed so many memories that cannot be replaced at any price. My heart goes out to the family and all who go through a fire event.

OldPappy - Posted - 06/06/2016:  05:06:22

The loss of the building, and all the tools, instruments, and other things is a tremendous loss, but at least nobody was hurt, and that is what is most important.

Buildings can be rebuilt, tools and materials replaced, and though many fine instruments may have been lost which cannot be replaced, these are all next to nothing compared to the men who built them.

My thoughts, and prayers that they can recover quickly. 

OldPappy - Posted - 06/06/2016:  05:10:14

I created a lot of shavings over the weekend, and this reminds me I need to go clean my shop. We work with a lot of combustible materials.

banjers51 - Posted - 06/06/2016:  05:33:46

Don't think I can add anything to all that's been said, but feel compelled at least to add my best wishes to Pharis and Jason.  I had the great, great privilege to spend a long afternoon with them in their old shop in Cobblehill, and found them to be amongst the most gracious people I've encountered.  Their contributions to the old-time world have certainly not been limited to the instruments they build--they are unbelievably supportive of the entire scene as musicians, as well.  We should all be especially thankful no one was harmed.

Edited by - banjers51 on 06/06/2016 05:34:26

macv1 - Posted - 06/06/2016:  06:27:06

Ya, Ramsey, Brainjo, and now Romero, what's going on? It gives me a sick feeling just thinking about losing my house or shop. I'm headed out to clean my shop right after I visit pay pal.

riccardo - Posted - 06/06/2016:  06:34:10

Would like to know how, via pat pal,  to send money to the Romero family. Couldn't be a better cause here and now.

jswkingsfield - Posted - 06/06/2016:  06:44:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by riccardo

 

Would like to know how, via pat pal,  to send money to the Romero family. Couldn't be a better cause here and now.

---

From Kernel's post on page 1 of this thread:

If you have a PayPal account you can log into your account at PayPal.com and send money to them at jason@romerobanjos.com and they'll get it right away into their bank account. Since it's between friends/family there is no charge. 

dpgetman - Posted - 06/06/2016:  06:53:25

Adding this note to keep the thread going.  Don't know if folks have been keeping up with the Romero's recent work, but there was clearly a burst of creative energy there in the past 6 months, all sorts of beautiful innovations in the last round of instruments.  I hope that wave of creative energy helps carry them through this tragedy.  I sent a re-buiding contribution via paypal, which lets you add a note, sort of like a "sorry for your loss" digi-card and took exactly 1 minute.

DPG  

ramjo - Posted - 06/06/2016:  07:20:54

Ugh, what a terrible, sad thing has happened to such fine people.

jhko - Posted - 06/06/2016:  08:55:10

OK, just sent a small donation via paypal.