Banjophobic - Posted - 06/06/2016:  10:26:27

Oh no,terrible news, and the kind no repair person wants to hear.  I will be sending him a donation very soon. We should all chip in. Everything we send will help!

Edited by - Banjophobic on 06/06/2016 10:26:48

JanetB - Posted - 06/06/2016:  10:38:30

Prayer and PayPal -- we banjo buddies send both.  Best wishes to this wonderful family and thank you to the BHO community who so genuinely cares.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 06/06/2016:  10:45:19

Next to loss of life, this is the most tragic news imaginable. I had a balance languishing in my PayPal account that I didn't know what to do with - problem solved!

I don't know them personally, but I have heard only good things about the Romero's and their products.

hhunter44 - Posted - 06/06/2016:  11:55:47

PayPal donation done. The Romeros will rise again.

Dan Drabek - Posted - 06/06/2016:  14:03:11

Money well spent. Their work has always been inspirational. And they are still young.

DD

schlange - Posted - 06/06/2016:  14:08:56

So many incredible banjos came out of that shop. I look forward to seeing the next batch.

But for now, we're working on ways to effectively help the Romeros. Giving by Paypal (jason@romerobanjos.com) is a great start, and the Banjo Hangout just officially pitched in there. I also just shared that info on the BHO Facebook page too.

I'll see if we can get a raffle of some sort. Any openback builders/owners out there want to donate a banjo for a raffle? Hit me up. If nothing else I'm sure we could fund the cost of it via the raffle tickets as well.

Helix - Posted - 06/06/2016:  14:11:38

Even masters have disasters, get in there and DIG, best wishes.

AT THE BANJO HANGOUT WITH FRIENDS CAPO, PIX & STRAP

 

 

 

schlange - Posted - 06/06/2016:  14:20:23

Until further notice, the Banjo Hangout and Craig Evans are donating ALL PROCEEDS from the sale of the Banjo Builder interview with Jason and Pharis directly to the Romeros.

So please consider purchasing the video--it's a chance to see just what the old shop looked like as well as what remarkable people Jason and Pharis really are.

Get the video here >

Weitzel - Posted - 06/06/2016:  18:55:47

My prayers are with them. I'm glad they were insured, but I know that the financial end is only one part of a loss like this. Their beautiful banjos have been an inspiration to my getting started in this business. I  just started following them on Instagram about 3 days ago...

florianfreax - Posted - 06/06/2016:  20:28:41

Terrible and heartbreaking! Stay strong, Jason!

frailfellow - Posted - 06/07/2016:  06:05:13

Unsolicited advice: It might pay to  retain an independent insurance adjuster. Insurers try to value all losses at absolute minimum. People who have losses often don't have inventories, receipts for and pictures of their property and forget many items that have been lost. A good adjuster can easily earn his/her cut by beefing up the  claim without being dishonest.

ceemonster - Posted - 06/07/2016:  14:29:36

How/why is this a vulnerability with banjo workshops? This just happened to Mike Ramsey. Is it electrical wiring in walls or machinery, or heaters, or . . . ???

R. Blakeslee Gilpin - Posted - 06/07/2016:  14:32:20

I thought you all might appreciate this. Jason sent me this note today:

A string is connecting to the tailpiece and end bolt bracket
Don't mean to make you sad but wanted to send you this

It did make me sad but I know Jason's gonna bounce back.

 

 

 

ceemonster - Posted - 06/07/2016:  14:55:05

Here is a link to a Canadian news story about the Romero fire. It includes more than one color photo of the scene, including one with fire personnel amid the smoke, and a later shot of the ruined site:



cbc.ca/news/canada/british-col...1.3619429



They did have insurance, apparently. Ms. Romero estimated the damage at $250K. Cause unknown, per the Romeros.

Another short story:

exclaim.ca/music/article/phari...p_to_fire

 

What makes banjo shops vulnerable to fire? This just happened to Mike Ramsey.

Edited by - ceemonster on 06/07/2016 14:57:40

jmcconnan - Posted - 06/07/2016:  15:40:49

youtube.com/watch?v=aKVJ08joH1w

from Fretboard Journal.

Blackjaxe47 - Posted - 06/07/2016:  19:36:11

I just sent directly to their bank account via PayPal, not much but I am positive if we all chip-in it will help them get back on their feet. Insurance will only cover so much, it's the little things and memories that are now gone forever.

PayPal,....jason@romerobanjos.com

Edited by - Blackjaxe47 on 06/07/2016 19:37:37

banjered - Posted - 06/07/2016:  20:22:23

For those of us who like me aren't internet competent to do PayPal, their address is: Romeros   Box 124, Horsefly, BC   V0L 1L0  Canada 

banjered - Posted - 06/07/2016:  20:23:15

And will a regular US stamp work or do we need something more? Banjered

jswkingsfield - Posted - 06/07/2016:  21:52:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjered

 

And will a regular US stamp work or do we need something more? Banjered

---

I just worked through the USPS International price calculator -- for a 1 oz regular letter envelope, looks like you need USD $1.15 postage to mail from the US to Canada.

Edited by - jswkingsfield on 06/07/2016 21:52:56

JamieB - Posted - 06/08/2016:  04:38:23

So sad, paypal $ sent. I've always dreamed of owning a Romero banjo, I guess this is just an investment in that dream.

Kero - Posted - 06/08/2016:  05:46:41

You sent $10.00 to jason@romerobanjos.com

All the best for them!

Will1717 - Posted - 06/08/2016:  06:21:34

Jason contacted me yesterday by email asking if we could get a stock of parts built up, and ready to ship to him as soon as he is in a position to start up again. Naturally we'll be supporting Jason in way way possible. Prior to that I'd suggest that we all dig deep and help out financially, as the insurance may take some time to get sorted out. With cash in hand it would surely speed the rebuilding process up. Hopefully the insurance company will come through as quickly as expected, and not get into all that fine print usually attached to the end of the policy. Once I get a chance to speak to Jason I'll suggest that he may want to pass on an account number that we can make direct money transfers too, in the event that anyone wishes to make a donation but are not set-up to use PayPal.

Definitely terrible news, but at the same time it was very fortunate that there was no lose of life or personal injury.

Bill Rickard    

banjoretina - Posted - 06/08/2016:  06:39:29

Does anyone know if a fund has been started?

dpgetman - Posted - 06/08/2016:  06:52:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by Will1717

 

Jason contacted me yesterday by email asking if we could get a stock of parts built up, and ready to ship to him as soon as he is in a position to start up again. 

---

That's the spirit!  

giweb - Posted - 06/08/2016:  08:22:22

Just sent donation. Thank you BHO and PayPal for this easy route!
giweb
"Nothing Worthwhile is Easy!"
"Making Music is Worthwhile!"
Helping friends of music is priceless!

420picker - Posted - 06/08/2016:  08:32:07

Strength Resilience Perseverance

janolov - Posted - 06/08/2016:  11:22:06

I will send a donation later today.

I have a dream to buy a Romero banjo, and I will keep my dream alive.

BanjarTater - Posted - 06/08/2016:  14:14:41

My 2 cents for to echo all the above thoughts and sentiments.

I did better than that to PP for the Romeros...

Thanks to BHO and FrailinFlix for their proceeds. I'd go right out and buy all of them plus the Jason and Pharis CD's except I'd already done that.

Glad to be part of the community here, glad to pitch in...

Banjartater

mcgeorgerl - Posted - 06/08/2016:  18:36:54

Skipped my Starbucks while doing my grocery shopping at Kroger and sent the 5 bucks via Paypal. That was easy!

PeterJ - Posted - 06/09/2016:  06:13:49

Donation sent. So happy the family is safe. They seem to be remarkable people and I'm certain they will rebuild and come out stronger on the other side.

Mark D - Posted - 06/09/2016:  20:20:12

PayPal donation made to great musicians who also make great instruments. Seem like decent folks too.

Best wishes for the new house and shop.

Mark

J.Romero Banjos - Posted - 06/10/2016:  13:00:37

Oh man, you folks are very very amazing. Thank you so much for the condolences, well wishes, and the support.
Our shop burned down early Sunday morning, and the bedroom cabin we were sleeping in was irreparably fire and water damaged. Our kids are safe, and we are too. Our house (what's left of it, as we're in the middle of a major house renovation build) wasn't damaged other than some heat-broken windows. We did lose the entire shop, as well as beautiful old guitars, personal banjos and 5 beautiful banjos bound for shipment on Monday morning. All our CDs and vinyl were burned, and a bunch of personal storage. We are navigating the unfamiliar territory of insurance, and wrapping our heads around how to build a new shop in the middle of all the chaos.
We are holding off on a crowd funding campaign until we hear about the insurance results. In the meantime, the digital downloads and paypal support... well, y'all are amazing.
Some photos of the burn are on instagram @romerobanjos.
With thanks for all the love, and sending it right back - jason, pharis, and the kiddos

jswkingsfield - Posted - 06/10/2016:  15:03:42

Live link to Instagram page: instagram.com/romerobanjos/

janolov - Posted - 06/22/2016:  11:03:27

Are there any updates?

Winged Words - Posted - 06/22/2016:  22:04:02

My new banjo (pictured on left) was one of those lost, but it's way too early to expect any firm news about the future. Pharis has put a few updates on her Facebook page, most recently about a benefit concert organised for them. A bit too far away for me.
Their most recent Instagram post showed some very sad debris of, I think, my banjo among others. I hope they put pictures of the lost batch on their website as usual.
It's not too late to show them your support of course and give this thread an occasional bump!

Edited by - Winged Words on 06/22/2016 22:05:05

banjered - Posted - 06/23/2016:  06:57:44

I sent them 40 bucks in the mail (needs extra postage). If enough of us send just a little bit it can quickly add up plus let them know that you support them emotionally as well.  What wonderful contributers they are to the banjo community so lets contribute back to them in their time of need. Banjered

Winged Words - Posted - 06/23/2016:  11:29:31

Other ways of supporting are to buy the download of their latest album (details on their website) or the download of Craig Frailin Evans video interview with them (details from Eric Schlange in a post on page 3 of this thread).

Winged Words - Posted - 07/06/2016:  18:28:50

m.ebay.com/itm/331898956789?_t...wBanner=1

Deering and The Bluegrass Situation are auctioning a banjo - proceeds to Jason and Pharis.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/14/2016:  18:57:06

Here is a link for the Deluxe Banjo & Signed Banjo Head that are being auctioned by Deering Banjos and The Bluegrass Situation with the proceeds going to help the Romero's rebuild.

They have been a cherished and valued member of the banjo building community and we are honored to help in this way. 

This auction ends at 9am PDT Friday July 15th!!

thebluegrasssituation.com/read...on-romero

jswkingsfield - Posted - 08/10/2016:  08:40:20

Bump.

Helix - Posted - 08/12/2016:  02:43:04

I look forward to a day where I might be able to play one of your banjos.

Though the storm and its furies rage today, crushing hope that we cherish so dear.
The clouds and storm will in time pass away, and the sun again will shine bright and clear.

Probably your best work is ahead. I'm not a critic.