Houston is the “Stolen Music Gear Capital of the World”
A series of thefts, especially from touring artists who’re in the city to perform or are traveling through the Houston area, has made Houston the most dangerous city in the United States to play music.
Its not just the frequency of incidents, but the boldness of thieves that has shocked everybody.
Tennessee-based roots band The Black Lillies were in Houston to play an in-store session at the Cactus Music record store, and at the Dosey Doe music venue. While staying at the Quality Inn near the Bush Intercontinental Airport on Vantage Parkway East, their 2011 Ford E-350 van and 2016 gray Larkspur trailer full of musical gear, touring equipment, personal items and merchandise, were stolen. The band estimates that the van and trailer are worth about $30,000, and with all the gear and merchandise, including two 1952 Gibson J 45 guitars, the total loss could near $70,000.
Texas country artist Zane Williams’s van and trailer were stolen in the northwest part of town. Luckily, Zane had installed a GPS tracking device in his trailer and the police were able to recover the stolen van and trailer, though it was missing a 100-year-old fiddle. Two individuals were arrested.
Zane, being a musician, made light of the situation by writing a song about it:
Watch: Zane Williams- For The Folks Who Stole Our Van & Trailer (original song)
Electronic musician Jason Chung’s van was broken into. Thieves made away with all of the musical equipment he needed to put on shows.
And it’s not just touring musicians who have trouble with stolen equipment. Several local musicians who’ve had gear stolen over the years, many of which never recovered valued and expensive instruments.
Adam Hood has his guitar stolen a few years ago in Houston too! Heather Maloney’s van was broken into and $3500 worth of instruments and gear were stolen.
In almost all the incidents, fans of the artists have rallied to support the band and help them get back on their feet. But most musicians would agree that certain musical instruments and gear have sentimental value (and also bit of history) and can never be replaced.
Recently, Houston’s police department cracked down in a special operation called “Operation Wheels And Deals,” through which they made 130 arrests that have resulted in over 200 charges.
Camera catches burglar stealing digital piano, drum and other equipment, worth thousands of dollars
Camera catch an armed burglar stealing digital piano, drum and other equipment, worth thousands of dollars from a Hot Springs Church.
The break-in happened at ‘Calvary Pentecostal Church’. For some reason, the church’s alarm was not turned on that night (the day after Easter).
Pastor Joel Motes said the burglar made off with thousands of dollars worth of music equipment and other items.
The bad guy makes his way to the sanctuary, where he fills his arms with a digital piano, a drum and other items, loading them into the back of his truck. The burglar even uses a mic stand to break into his office and make off with a laptop and other items.
“Wow, I can’t believe people would do that in a church. I’m just thankful nobody was around,” said Pastor Motes.
“I’m assuming the day after Easter, he was looking for the biggest offering he could find, maybe hoping we had left it here,” said Pastor Motes.
“It was a little frustrating for a little while, but you know it just says ‘In everything give thanks for this is the will of God,'” said Pastor Motes.
After nearly two hours inside the church, Pastor Motes said the thief drove off with more than $10-thousand worth of church property.
“We’ll pray for him that the Lord help him to understand what he’s done,” said Pastor Motes.
Piano found on Beach, residents blame students
A piano was found on Swanpool Beach in Falmouth (England, UK), the residents there blamed the students of Falmouth University for that. It was later revealed that the students abandoned the piano on the beach after using it for a photo shoot. The students have been criticised by locals as well as staff at Falmouth University as taxpayer’s money was used to remove the piano from the beach.
The students had posted on a Facebook page asking for help to haul the instrument down on to the sand. It said: “Anyone free @15:00 that fancies PUSHING A PIANO TO SWANPOOL BEACK for a photo shoot/pre Halloween party beach chill – comment below. We have one car full and another with four spaces to drive to the piano pick up point (postcode given). Lol.”
“I am personally pretty disappointed they have damaged our reputation. 800 photography students over four courses and they are meant to send us a risk assessment for this kind of shoot (I have checked and I haven’t got one) so we can flag up any possible problem such as this. We drill into them to act professionally and it’s disappointing to see on this occasion it hasn’t happened. I have heard on the grapevine they are first years. We do try and talk to students about what coastal living actually looks like and how to keep themselves and others safe,” said one Falmouth University staff member who said action would be taken to make the students apologise.
People came to know about the piano when Swanpool Café posted about the piano on social media asking if anyone wanted it. “Unless Elton John is having his next concert here on Swanpool beach, this shouldn’t be here. As usual, we will get it shifted but if anyoe fancies having this bad boy in their jazz pad then you’re more than welcome to take it. Please bear in mind normal vehicles and sand aren’t the best of friends and you may get stuck, so be careful”.
Local residents were obviously angry, here are a few comments:
Does the university and/or these students intend to reimburse the local community for the wasted time and money spent shifting this problem? Sitting students down and talking to them about coastal living, etc, does not teach them respect and that is what’s clearly lacking in these students.”
Another said: “This seems all like some student inspired high-jinks, but we’re currently looking at two police vehicles, several officers and a lot of tax payers money burning away as a result. I’d suggest the students responsible either come and right their wrong immediately or get some fake passports and high tail it to a non-extradition country.”
KeytarHQ editorial team includes musicians who write and review products for pianists, keyboardists, guitarists & other musicians. KeytarHQ is the best online resource for information on keyboards, pianos, synths, keytars, guitars and music gear for musicians of all abilities, ages and interests.
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