Reposted from Brian on Whedonesque:
Sonny Rhodes, our favorite Firefly theme song blues musician, is in need of a hand up. He is a very proud man, but circumstances related to medical conditions are preventing him from working, and he’s trying to keep a roof over his head.
Sonny’s wife Ann called me with these details and hoped the Browncoats could help. Sonny hasn’t performed since October 2008, except for once or twice against his doctor’s wishes when he had to keep the power from being shut off and pay rent, and doing that made his condition worse. He just had an emergency hernia operation and needs to have two hip operations as soon as possible. Ann said he’ll likely be out of work for a few more months and, besides being in a lot of pain, is naturally quite worried about paying medical and rent bills. Sonny has vowed to be there for the Browncoats in the future and would appreciate any financial assistance that may be possible via the PayPal Donate link on his MySpace page.
If you can do anything, please consider it. Quite a few friends were privileged to spend some time with him at the last Browncoats Cruise and found him to be a wonderful man who was still amazed at the attention he was getting for performing Joss’s song. I just wish he got a buck everytime someone starts singing it at a con…
UPDATE: Brian has contacted Mr. Rhodes’ wife and manager Annie about getting a PO Box for people uncomfortable with PayPal, and that address should be up on his MySpace page soon. In the meantime, check out his latest post:
Today the color brown is looking pretty bright. Thank you my friends. The Browncoats have sent me so many notes that my grand daughter has run out of her printing ink and will have to get some more today. I am slowly reading every note and she and my Annie are helping me with this myspace. I am getting the idea behind it. I am also enjoy seeing some of my friends I haven’t seen for awhile. This myspace is okay.
Plenty more there about his current condition, what he’s going through, and how much he misses being on the road playing music.
UPDATED UPDATE: Mrs. Rhodes has gotten a PO Box:
SONNY RHODES
2974 Delta Fair Blvd
324
Antioch, CA 94509
Here’s part of the response I received from him:
I am a little overwhelmed by the outpouring of kind words and support. I am working on reading all the notes my granddaughter is printing up for me. I will get to each one. I knew I had many wonderful fans and friends around the world but when you see how many come to lend a hand up it is very hard to find words.
[…]
Today I had a good day of rest. I am healing from the Hernia surgery but I will be glad when the hips are not hurting anymore. Many people have told me it is going to be better.
Thank you for your help and support.
Peace
Sonny Rhodes
Thanks everyone for your any support you can give! Sonny truly does love the Browncoats. He is one of the most humble, talented and generous people I’ve met. And I assured Sonny and Ann that we would help. Quite honestly, it’s made me cry hearing the panic and worry that Ann and Sonny have expressed to me. The world needs more people like Sonny to brighten it up.
Such a sweet man. On the cruise he got onto the elevator, looked at all the women there and said, with a big smile”I am the luckiest man alive”.
Such a charmer! If he needs help, then we should help. of course.
I don’t have much, but I have enough to help out a little. Definitely worth it. Hope he regains his health swiftly and painlessly.
Chris – is there a way we can get an update as to what the total donations are?
Hi, if you haven’t heard, Sonny’s and Ann’s spirits are way up with the touching emails and donations that have come in. They are so grateful to everyone and so touched to know there is good in the world. Unfortunately, they aren’t out of the woods yet, so please donate if you haven’t done so.
Due to popular request, I encouraged Sonny to get a PO Box for those who don’t have credit cards or don’t like PayPal. Sonny’s MySpace page will be updated shortly with that address. Thank you!
I have the honor of playing guitar with Sonny Rhodes when he is in N. California. One thing that people don’t know is that Sonny and Annie do a lot of free work to help young people appreciate and understand the history of blues. I am one of those young people.
I have sat at Sonny’s kitchen table while he shares the stories of his life. He makes me laugh so hard sometimes and at others I feel near tears. He is everything you see. Because he is so generous and kind I was allowed to get up and play on stage with him one night. I was only 16 so you can imagine how I felt being with this living legend of blues. Now I am part of his band. He is a very soulful, humble man with an attitude of giving that never wavers, even when he is struggling himself. I am grateful to Sonny and my Miss Annie (as I affectionately call her). They have taken me under their wide wings and given me so much. I talk to Sonny daily and have read some of your notes. You don’t know how much your support means. He is the most fan friendly man I have ever played with. He does care about each of you.Sometimes we have to push him to get back up and play when he gets visiting with fans. He loves listening, sharing and caring. Thank you, each of you. And Brian, you have a special place in my book where heroes are listed! Cheers, Cody Jackson
Dude – have you dropped off the planet? No posting in _ages_…
Anyway – hope you are OK. Got my Gina Torres signed dogtags through the mail the other day. I still blame you for that…
Seconding the concern – I hope you’re OK and missing your posts, news and insight. Keep on flyin’!
Sonny will be at Wondercon in San Francisco on Sunday March 1 at the California Browncoats table F6-F7. I’m not sure when he’ll arrive, as he is coming right from the airport, but he is looking forward to seeing everyone. Please come and show your support!
Sonny Rhodes is one of the true gentlemen of blues and a treasure. He is back in the Bay Area and will be performing at various locations. Come out and support him and show him your love!
On August 21 and 22, 2009, he will be at the Lakeside Lounge in Oakland from 9 pm to 1 am. Address is 338 East 18th Street, Oakland, CA 94606 – 510-452-2254.
He will be at Biscuits & Blues on October 3rd.