A year ago today

You had just home from a month in the hospital and we were looking forward to Thanksgiving at Robyn's and Christmas here.. We went to bed early - you did not want to hand out candy. I wish we were having the same conversations this year. This week was so lonely. I miss you and I will always love you..

The Memorial

Thank you to everyone involved - whether it was planning, playing, working or performing. Harry would have been proud of all of you. I am looking forward to building the foundation and having the ability to help those of you who helped us. I am going to take a few days to re-coop and then move forward with all of the things that will be required to get the foundation moving forward.

Dedicated to Harry

A friend from Harry's from California - has written this song in his honor..


Mr. Second Line
Lyrics & Music
Ron Christopher
@2009
Dedicated to Harry Ravain (1948-2009)

It was in L A, way back “in the day”
We were in our prime, sure had ourselves a time
I would write the songs, you were on the drums
Always right on time…..Mr. Second Line

Up from New Orleans, with your hopes and dreams
You hit Hollywood, it was lookin’ good
Like a hurricane, they gave you a name
The man with perfect time…..Mr. Second Line

Bridge:
Friends right from the start, brothers in arms
Playin’ from the heart, shootin’ for the stars
But shooting stars must fade, ‘tho they burn so bright
As they pass our way and touch us with their light

Born a “Travelin’ Man”, you went back to “Loosianne”
‘cross the Ponchartrain, in Katrina’s path you came
You survived it all, but now the Master calls
You came home just in time…..Mr. Second Line

Now it’s time to go, time to play the final show
There’s no turning back, the stage lights fade to black
I’ll play these songs again, but it won’t never be the same
A waltz-in-six or doubletime…..without Mr. Second Line

Tag:

A truer friend I’ll never find
Thank you for your time…..Mr. Second Line

Looking Forward to Sunday

I want to thank in advance all the musicians who are coming to play on Sunday.. I am looking forward to seeing all of you and enjoying the day..

Musicians Added - Memorial Celebration

Memorial Celebration Flyer

Memorial Celebration - October 25th - Rock N Bowl - Musicians

Look for more names to come but here are some of the performers for the Memorial Celebration...

Kathie Savoie
The Kingsman - Reunion Performance
Hector Nivens
New Orleans Quarternotes
Freddie Staehle
Ed Peneguy
Randy Lewis
Frank Corona
Eddie Powers
Earl Stanley
Joe Lovechio
Johnny Vindigni
Jimmy Chandler
Wendy Siegel
Bootsie Cuquet
Steve Adams
Wardell Williams
Ray Maronne
Tommy Morris
Boozie Jackson
Nat Montalbano
Scott VanMatre
Barry Lacour
Henry Hitt
Mickey DeLaRoda
Earl Roesch
Karl Hunter

Harry Ravain Memorial Celebration

On October 25, 2009 from 3pm-7pm there will be a Memorial Celebration for Harry at the new Rock N Bowl. Your donation will be your admission.

I met with Alan Reese and Bob Eichhorn tonight and here is what is on tap for the event. There will be jam sessions led by Alan Resse and his band the New Orleans Quarter Notes.. there will be a reunion performance by The Kingsman (the band Harry joined when he was 14) - they were hoping to have this reunion before Harry left us but that did not happen - so they are reuniting in his honor.

We will have Harry's Fender Stratocaster on site and we will ask all the musicians that play that day to autograph it and then we will auction it off for the Harry's Hats foundation at a later date. I will have more information on the mission of the organization at the event.



Harry & Eddie Fresche the day I gave him the guitar

The Saints game will be on as they play the Miami Dolphins in Miami that day at 3pm. We are having this event so that those who could not attend the funeral have their opportunity to say goodbye.

If you are a musician and would like to participate please contact Alan Reese at 504-289-2167 or email him at noquarternotes@yahoo.com or leave a message at home for me 504-219-1521 or email me at mr2ndline@yahoo.com and I will get your information to Alan.

I also want to thank in advance John Blancher of Rock N Bowl for always being so kind and to Sherman Bernard for always being there for Harry and I. I will post musicians as they agree to perform - so come back often and see what the updates are.

I am also trying to compile a list of all the bands Harry played with during his life. If Harry played with you please send me the band name so that I can recognize them at the event.

Thanks and I hope to see you there,,

Memorial Celebration - October 25th - Rock N Bowl & Harry Hat's website

There will be a Memorial Celebration for Harry from 3-7pm on October 25th. Details to be worked out tonight. There will be music, the Saints game will be on the screens (they are playing Miami in Miami at 3), and an opportunity for anyone who wishes to speak about Harry to do so. I know a lot of you were unable to attend the funeral - Harry wanted his memorial here to be a celebration.

There will be no admission price your donation will be your admission. I will post more information over the next few days..

There is now a starter web page up for the foundation I created in Harry's name - the address is http://www.harryshats.org/