Pan On Fire

[Salah Wilson]

Greetings Friends, This is the first time that I am able to get back on line since the unfortunate fire which destroyed my home on May 4th, I want to thank all of you who have helped in your own special way. I will get back to you all individually. The update is that first of all we give thanks and praise that no one was hurt or injured neither from my family nor the nine other families whose homes were also totally destroyed in the 10 houses ( Townhouse complex). The second good news for me was that the hard drive on my personal computer containing my books and literally 'my life' was able to be saved.....( a note for everyone ...make a back up of your stuff and keep it in another place). I lost only two soprano pans because all of the pans and equipment are located at my school Salah's Steelpan Academy but apart from all of the other material lost of which most are replaceable, there were cultural items and of course many Pan memorablia that have been collected all my life that is all gone . It is indeed a painful lost but I know of a couple friends who have been in the same boat including Earl La Pierre and Tony Rose. But like them I just have to turn the page and move on. Unfortunately I did noy have insurance ( another note for everyone ..please get insurance even if you live in a one room apartment). A lot of people have offered to help us in our present situation and we are indeed grateful and many have made their own contributions, just a call or an email is a vey welcome and special act and we thank you again for that. Some have asked how can they help and part of my response is the following. (1) There are about 20,000 musically illiterate pan players in the Pan yards of Trinidad & Tobago. I am an author and have written 6 Steelpan Text books todate of which one is being used in the public schools of Trinidad & Tobago. You can assist me by helping my cause which is trying to get the Pan population musically literate in T&T the birthplace of the Pan.PURCHASE ONE OF MY BOOKS and give it to a student or a musically iliterate pan player in T&T. Check my website www.steelpanplus.com or send me an email for more info < [e-mail]>or also (2) be a part of our complete Soprano pan set raffle.. Send email for more details < [e-mail]> Thank you all for your welcome advise and input ..best regards ..Salah Wilson