The Dixie Bee-Liners
Nashville’s prestigious The Violin Shop has alerted BluegrassJournal.com to a family in need and some friends who are trying to help meet all those needs.
“Chris Fontaine is a Nashville-area husband and father of three who is battling a rare cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma,” The Violin Shop wrote in an e-mail. “Because of a pre-existing condition, Chris wasn’t able to get medical coverage, and with a lengthy treatment process that involves several aggressive courses of chemotherapy, his ability to work regularly is limited throughout the remainder of 2009.”
Fontaine was formerly associated withe The Violin Shop, but now works as a luthier at Williams Fine Violins on Nashville’s famed Music Row, “lovingly tending to the stringed instruments of some of the most talented musicians around,” the e-mail said. “As if life weren’t exciting enough, the Fontaines will welcome their fourth child in August, adding to the family’s financial stress.”
The crew at Williams Fine Violins is organizing a benefit concert to help with expenses, while the family’s church, The Village Chapel, has pitched in with meals and other practical help.
“But there’s still plenty to do, and there are many ways you can help,” according to the e-mail. The Violin Shop lists these suggestions:
- Buy a ticket to the Aug. 4 (this Tuesday) benefit concert at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. It will feature Cherryholmes, Alison Krauss & Union Station with Jerry Douglas, Cadillac Sky, The Dixie Bee-liners, Annie Moses Band, The Steeldrivers and many more. For tickets, go to the Wildhorse Saloon Web site.
- Make a donation at ANY Bank of America branch, simply let them know your contribution is for the Christopher Fontaine Medical Fund. No account number is necessary to make a donation (but for those out of state, you may need to let them know the account was set up in Tennessee).
- Pray for the Fontaine family. Current requests include Chris’ chemo treatments, Charity’s pregnancy and the family’s move to a rental house in South Nashville.