Forget the tuba. . . buy the whole band

[Alex F]

Just got back from 2 weeks in Florida. Tampa area. Weather was great (got lucky). Spent my birthday on the beach. Lot of folks are hurting down there though. If you can spare some change, please donate to the Red Cross or another organization of your choice.

Anyway. . . came across the following this morning:

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ACROSS THE NATION



Band puts itself up for bid on eBay

Items compiled from Tribune news services
Published September 25, 2004

AUSTIN, TEXAS -- Looking to hire a band? March on over to eBay.

The James Bowie High School Marching Band, all 250 members, are up for bid to raise money for a group trip to Arizona.

So far, no one has placed the $4,999 starting bid for the band's services. The repertoire: "Proud Mary," "Black Magic Woman," "Happy Birthday," "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" and the national anthem.

Ten days of bidding will end Saturday. The band will hit up parents to fill in the gaps if it falls short of the money needed to compete in the National Band Championship and Fiesta Bowl Parade in Arizona.

Les Nichols, the band's booster club president and father of two members. suggested that Gov. Rick Perry make a bid.

"Wouldn't it be nice to have the Capitol rotunda filled with the Bowie High band?" Nichols said. "Republicans. Democrats. We don't care. We are a totally bipartisan band."


Copyright © 2004, Chicago Tribune

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Regards

Alex F.