The Blind Man's Reader

Volume 3 No. 3      Published by Outtasite Productions Media PA  copyright 2006    80 proof read by Frontporchmusic@comcast.net

A letter about Jerry Burruss, people, love, and music

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of absolutely no one (Lawyer Proof)

Well, we promised another installment …so here goes…

Jerry’s Promotion Team has gone Berserk!

Jerry is live on the Web! 

Jerry Burruss and Sean Crane of Front Porch Music have teamed up with Steve Blaylock of www.Bluelakeproductions.com to bring you www.JerryBurruss.com The process took lots of energy and involves an ongoing commitment to keep it fresh and make it easier to use.  Steve will be working to do that.  Thanks to Kim Auger and Lisa Konigsberg for great photography. 

Jerry Has a Press Kit !

***Barbara Benton, Art Director at Friend’s Journal has teamed with Front Porch Music to finish a project Kim Auger got started here for us.  We would like to thank Barb for great art work and communication to make this happen.  The press kit will be added to the website when a printed proof returns to us.  This kit is an 11 x 17 piece of hard card stock folded to form a folder.  It features a black and white cover with an old feel which opens to dazzling Benton artwork in color & a slickly labeled EP in a clear envelope.  Kudos again to Kim and Lisa for photo contributions. 

Filming Continues

John Dorchester and the folks at Red House Films Inc. continue in filming Jerry ’s life story. Since we last wrote and you last read, Red House has filmed Jerry at Grape Street Pub in Philadelphia, at Jerry’s 71^st birthday party at the home of Katari Brown, and John Sherwood, at the recording studios, and at the practice house.

A new Axe for the Rocketman

A New Miracle from Nazareth…..????  Martin Guitars of Nazareth PA has accepted Jerry Burruss into their sponsored artist program.  Martin has committed to paying half the cost of a guitar made especially to adapt to Jerry’s unique style of play.  Jerry has ordered a spruce top, rosewood body guitar with electrics similar to those used by Jimmy Buffet.  Although Jerry plays right handed, the guitar we ordered is essentially a left handed cutaway guitar with a right handed bridge and bracing. 

Doing the Lion’s Share…  The Avon Grove Lions Club has put up $650.00 towards Jerry’s new Guitar.  This leaves approximately $100 unfunded.  If you would like to make a tax deductible donation toward Jerry’s Guitar or studio time you can do so by contacting Admin@AGLions.com. 

The Jerry Logo is in Process

Steve Blaylock of www.Bluelakeproductions.com and Kim Auger of Front Porch are working on a Jerry Logo for T shirts and stickers.  We completely admit to being inspired by the simplicity of the Patrick’s Head Logo and chalk outlines at crime scenes.

The Blind Man’s Reader

Volume 3 No. 3      Published by Outtasite Productions Media PA  copyright 2006    80 proof read by Frontporchmusic@comcast.net

A letter about Jerry Burruss, people, love, and music

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of absolutely no one (Lawyer Proof)

Jerry has a short EP CD!

It took an Army to pull this off.  Thanks go to Wayne Harvey of Linden Watchtower Studios who worked with Kim and Sean at Front Porch to design the label based on a Kim Auger photo.  Wayne first recorded Jerry at the practice house in September of 2004.  Wayne’s capture of “Today I Started Loving you Again” is flawless.  Its on the CD.  The folks at Media Music Studio helped Jerry record a laugh track & to record “He’ll Have to Go”.  Then Ken Tankel of Playroom Recording stepped in and recorded nearly 5 hours of Jerry, which gave us the other four raw solo tracks.

What all this means for Jerry Burruss

            Nearly all the tools are in place now for Jerry, finally, after 50 years of being denied it, to share his art with others while independently making a living and basking in the self esteem that comes with providing for one’s self and family. To enhance Jerry’s independence and to promote independence for others, Jerry and Front Porch Music have developed ……

Two Partnerships with the Visually Impaired Community. 

                If 2004 was Jerry’s musical coming out and 2005 was Jerry’s professional coming out, then 2006 is Jerry’s coming out as a visually impaired person and artist. 

The first partnership is with the National Federation of the Blind.

NFB’s President, Dr. Marc Maurer, met with Jerry and agreed to grant Jerry the funds necessary to Braille label his first full length CD, “Jerry Burruss, Hands Down”.   ***The Braille label is to be teamed with an extra track on the CD which will narrate the printed labeling, giving visually impaired persons a way to know what CD is in what case without having to label them themselves. 

Dr. Maurer further agreed to put the technology department of the NFB at our disposal as we seek to develop a standard for Braille Labeling of CD and DVD media.  Our hope is to develop an economical labeling and wrapping process that will allow all blind artists to label their CDs in Braille.  If the technology can be developed, NFB may be able to place the technology and visually impaired workers in CD production facilities. 

The NFB is also considering Jerry for performance in their 2006 National Convention.  Jerry was hoarse at the interview Dr. Maurer generously granted.  We hope to arrange another one and get Jerry’s place on the convention program cemented. 

The Blind Man’s Reader

Volume 3 No. 3      Published by Outtasite Productions Media PA  copyright 2006    80 proof read by Frontporchmusic@comcast.net

A letter about Jerry Burruss, people, love, and music

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of absolutely no one (Lawyer Proof)

The Blind Independent School of Maryland. 

Jerry toured BISM in early March.  We passed out some CDs and Jerry was briefly given a lesson in caning.  Jerry left with a new cane and a new sense of independence and how to get around.  He also left with a desire to attend BISM so he can learn independent living skills that will be helpful to him on the road, as he plays out.  The Pennsylvania chapter of the NFB will work with Jerry to get state funds for his BISM education.   

SEVENTY ONE GOING ON EIGHT

When we last left our friend Jerry he was preparing for his 71^st Birthday Party on February 13^th.  When time for the party came, to no one’s surprise, the occasion was accompanied by a divine cosmic event: an early afternoon leisurely fall of fat flakes in a full deep charcoal sky, which turned into a blustering blowing midnight downfall under a solid gray crown, backlit by an invisible moon.  

As it snowed outside, we played, talked, ate, and drank inside where a woodstove glowed.  Katari and John opened their house and many folks stayed over due to the weather (and the late fun).  Dave Stone, front man for Man in Black won the iron man competition, driving more than 40 miles in driving snow to come see Jerry and play a few, and then, he drove home at 3 AM!!!.  Katherine Rhoda won Traveled furthest.  She extended a stay to attend Jerry’s bash and drove home to Maine the following day.  Jerry had a full and happy birthday party with a cake provide by Katari and another provided by Steve, Bertrando, a boyhood friend of Jerry’s and owner of All About Tires in Toughkennamon PA

Speaking of years…how about the Rocketman’s calendar?