Seven days before the mast

Little Trunk’s college classmate Chad Harple has put out a request for help of the kind I can’t resist. Here’s Chad’s message:

Hey everyone,

So, some of you know that my brother Jeremy has been playing guitar for about fourteen years now. His dream has always been to make a living just playing music. Of course, that’s not so easy to do in Vermont – great state that it is – since his gigs don’t pay much more than it costs to drive out to them. Lately he’s been splitting his time between building houses and teaching guitar lessons while he’s waiting to catch a big break.

Cut to a few weeks ago, when a fan sends in some of Jeremy’s music to the national JamCruise competition, and he’s chosen as a Finalist for Solo Artist. JamCruise is basically a 7-day tour of the Caribbean where the main draw is musicians of all kinds – from Grammy winners like Bela Fleck and the Flecktones to DJs to homegrown musicians like my brother.

This is where I need you – the voting to determine who wins this competition starts today and closes in a week. Please, please take a minute and click on the link below and vote for him as your #1 choice for Solo Artist here.

They’re going to ask you to register for a mailing list, but it only takes a few seconds and you can unsubscribe right after you vote.

If you want to get to know my brother or hear his music check out his website here – especially the neat music-playing iPod (for a hippie, he’s pretty good with technology). Worried Blues, Good Morning Sun, and Vanagon are personal favorites.

Anyway, sorry to bother you all with this…but after scraping by on Burlington’s bar scene for eight years, this could be my brother’s big break – he’d get more exposure on this cruise than he has in all his years back home.

Thanks so much for helping out.

Take a listen and, if so inclined, please exercise the franchise to help give Mr. Harple his seven days before the mast with the stupendous Bela Fleck et al.