Donation of Drum Set to deserving Drummer who is very ill

"Akron and New Orleans charities donate drum set to deserving drummer. Shown is drummer Ken Stewart receiving the drums from George Lawrence, owner of George's Drum Shop of Copley and organizer of Parumpapumpum charity which finds donated drums for deserving drummers who can't afford them. The vintage professional drum set belonged to the late Harry Ravain, famed New Orleans Drummer and was donated by Mrs. Harry Ravain and the Harry's Hats Foundation."

Patrick - thank you

I do not know who you are - but I want to thank you for the following links.. If any of you knew Harry - you knew Ronnie Barron.. Much of Harry's joy in life and music came from his collaborations with Ronnie. I had the pleasure of meeting him. They were brothers in the truest since of the word. Patrick sent me you tube links that show them playing together - I am attaching them hear.. I will treasure these videos forever..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15SdaVH5fU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juPetvelHG8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaBWHRcKTic&feature=related

Patrick thank you and I will pass them along to his daughter that lives in New Orleans

Harry's Hats and Parumpapapum

I full set of drums and cymbals are being donated through Harry's foundation and another through a friends to a drummer who is very ill and I pray that this man finds the same joy in Harry's Drums that he did..

Classic Drummer Magazine

I am sorry I have not updated in a while the holidays were quiet and spent with family. It definitely was an adjustment for me.

Yesterday I arrived home to a package and it was a copy of the latest issue of Classic Drummer magazine and a letter from a dear friend of Harry's. The issue contains a Memorial to Harry. It is a lovely one and thank you to Classic Drummer and Bob for this tribute.

Merry Christmas

Honey - today is just as quiet as it always was.. It was always just me and you and then you went off to Rock N Bowl to play, preparing for the day after Christmas when our families came together. I am so glad we were able to have the house to share with all those people. It meant so much to you. Yes it was the best house and it was yours.. I missed our traditional breakfast today ..

I wanted to have one more Christmas at the house - but I did not have it in me. And more than anything I wanted you here but neither was in the cards. I am having to put the house on the market.. I am so sorry.. but I am struggling.. This will always be OUR house - no place else will ever be as special.

I wanted to come to see you today but just could not.. I will see you tomorrow - our day to celebrate.. It won't be the same but I will at least spend some time with you. Your mother does not understand my need to see and be with you where you are - but there is such comfort in being with you.. I am so glad you decided that Rayne would be your final resting plave.. there are people who love and care for you there.. and my heart is always with you..

Merry Christmas my love, I miss you and your smile, your energy and your love of drums and life...

Cor Jesu Band Sweater

I know how much your heritage meant to you so last week I donated your Cor Jesu Band Sweater to the Brother Martin Alumni Association. So forever you will be remembered through this donation at the school. I hope you are pleased with what I have done. I hope one day to go to the school and create an endowment for the drum program at he music department with funds from Harry's Hats. I had to put it on hold for a little while I get in control of finances - I have to concentrate there first then building your foundation becomes predominant..I miss you so much..

I know you are my angel in heaven but I have a couple here on earth.. please watch over the ones here on earth Mike, Bo and Diddley(Dusty).

And Bobby - truly helped me out with your Mom this week. Thank him for me in some special way..

Nothing is what I thought it would be

Oh - how I wish you were still here, healthy. Life is surely not what I expected. There are so many things that have to change. None of them are what I want. pray for me..

The hard part starts tonight

I start packing all your drums ups to take them to be sold. I have held out as long as I can and I hope you are good with whom I have chosen. I am so not looking forward to this. Please watch over me and help me through this..

And especially next week for the trip - I will need your support..

I miss you..

Raymond's Birthday

I went to Henderson last night to celebrate Raymond's birthday at Pat's in Henderson. It was the first time since the funeral that the 4 of us were together.. yes Mike came in from Houston. I brought Raymond the "pot" that he has salivated over since you bought it. I know he will take good care of it and use it and that is what is important.. Mike is also wearing the watch you wore when you left us. I sent him home with your leather jacket and gloves - I know my little brother will be warm because of you. You know he is a grandpa now. I have also spoken with George and I am making arrangements to take your drums to George - he will I believe take the best care of them. I know you would be happy that he is putting them in the hands of people who will love them the way you did. I am still lost without you. I tried hard to go visit you yesterday but the traffic in Baton Rouge made it too late to go see you - I am so sorry I really want to be there but I will find a way to see you before Christmas.. Love you and wish you were here..

Today was your day

This holiday became so important to you when you reconnected to your family. My heart is so broken that you are not here to celebrate it. Everyone is trying to help me get through this but the pain is so deep and I am so empty,, I know this is the hardest because its the first - but like I told Darren yesterday - coming to meet you would be ok with me. I love you and I am so sorry about the changes I am having to make but until I meet you again I have to figure this out. I am trying my best and hope you understand. I wish I could visit you today but it is not going to happen - I pray you understand - you are always in my heart. So Harry - Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you are celebrating with your friends and family in heaven - enjoy your cranberry sauce..

Benny

Benny stopped by last night with the new 12 Yats CD - he wrote a beautiful dedication to you ... I am so proud of the last song you recorded with him.. what a trooper you were.. and the greatest gift is that you will always be playing drums somewhere.. and your name will always be associated with the one thing you always were - a great New Orleans drummer.

I am so proud of you..


Love, Mona

today is not going to be good for me

I have to start some changes that I do not want to make - none of this takes you out of my heart or mind - but I cannot continue to slip. I know you would tell me to get off my ____ and do what I have to do - so today I start that process. But my heart is breaking....

love you

Made Some Hard Decisions today

Made some decisions today that I did not want to make.. but in the long run it is for the better - hopefully the pain, fear and frustration will find a way to leave..

I still miss you and my heart breaks for you everyday..

Friends FromCalifornia

Ray and his family stopped in New Orleans. I had them stay at the house. I sent them to places you would have taken them with pride and last night we went to Crazy Johnnies. I truly wish you had been here - you would have had so much fun. And on their way back to California - they stopped to visit you. I hope you knew.. I miss you so much... things are tough but I will figure it out - I promise - I am not sure how but I will. love you always

Took your Mom to see you yesterday

Your Mom and I went to Rayne yesterday to visit you... I am so sorry I did not make it on All Saints Day. But you are surrounded by the orange roses you used to bring your Mom. I will bring you Calla Lilly's next time. They meant so much to us at the house. I will find them. Please help me with my current challenges - give me strength. I love ya.

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