 KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Black Lillies would sure love to have their instruments back, but the Knoxville, Tenn.-based Americana band have been blown away by the outpouring of support they’ve received following the theft of their van, trailer and gear early Monday while they slept in a Houston, Texas, motel. The unexpected silver lining from losing one-of-a-kind vintage instruments, personal belongings and merchandise including copies of their October release, Hard to Please (only their van was recovered), has been a massive show of love from fans, fellow players and others sympathetic to their plight. In fact, the band gained 1,500 new social media fans in a 24-hour period. As word spread of the theft, social media took over; the band’s Facebook post went viral and a fan-requested donation site raised more than $40,000 in two days to help cover substantial costs not borne by insurance — including the true value of their instruments.  “From venues who are calling to offer us gigs, to musicians calling to offer us gear, to people literally offering us the clothes off of their backs, to members of the media from all over the country who are calling to ask what more they can do to spread the word, to friends, fans, strangers donating money to help with the gap between what the insurance will cover and what was lost … every email, tweet, call, post, smoke signal is showing us the beauty that is out there,” the Black Lillies posted in response. “We will never be able to tell you what it means to us. Just know that you’re getting us through this, and we love you for it.”
The band discovered the theft at 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25, as they prepared to return home for a short break after weeks on the road. Surveillance video showed someone had driven up to their vehicle and, in less than two minutes, driven away with it — along with their heavily padlocked trailer and its contents, totaling over $100,000. Determined not to miss an already sold-out show Jan. 29 at the Willow Tree in Johnson City, Tenn., the band packed up borrowed and rented gear. They’re offering a reward for information leading to the return of their purloined stuff. (An amount will be announced after details are worked out with Houston-area police.) In answer to those wondering what else they can do to help the Black Lillies (or other bands in the same unfortunate boat), manager Chyna Brackeen respectfully suggests:
To support the band with a donation, click rally.org/theblacklillies. (Donors outside of the U.S. can use this Paypal link.) To report information regarding the band’s stolen property, email [email protected]. Follow the band here: theblacklillies.com facebook.com/theblacklillies twitter.com/TheBlackLillies Tour dates: Fri., Jan. 29 JOHNSON CITY, TN The Willow Tree Sun., Jan. 31-Sun., Feb. 7 MIAMI, ST MAARTEN, TORTOLA Cayamo Cruise Wed., Feb. 24 CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA Southern Café & Music Hall Thur., Feb. 25 WARRENDALE (PITTSBURGH), PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille Fri., Feb. 26 WASHINGTON, DC The Hamilton Sat., Feb. 27 CARRBORO, NC Cat’s Cradle Thurs., March 3 HAMDEN, CT The Outer Space Fri., March 4 REHOBOTH BEACH, DE Dogfish Head Brewery Sat., March 5 BROOKLYN, NY The Shop Thurs., March 17 DENTON, TX Dan’s Silverleaf Sat., March 19 ALPINE, TX Railroad Blues Tues., March 22 SACRAMENTO, CA Harlow’s Wed., March 23 CHICO, CA Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Thurs., March 24 TUOLUMNE, CA Willow Creek Lounge Fri., March 25 SUTTER CREEK, CA The Sutter Creek Theater Sat., March 26 ALTURAS, CA The Hotel Niles Sun., March 27 MILL VALLEY, CA Sweetwater Music Hall Mon., March 28 LOS ANGELES, CA The Mint Tues., March 29 LAS VEGAS, NV Vinyl Wed., March 30 SCOTTSDALE, AZ Rockbar Fri., April 1 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK Wormy Dog Sat., April 2 ST. LOUIS, MO Off Broadway Sun., April 3 LEXINGTON, KY Mountain Stage @ Singletary Center for the Arts Wed., April 13 TOMBALL, TX Main Street Crossing Thurs., April 14 BRYAN, TX Grand Stafford Theatre Fri., April 15 DRIFTWOOD, TX Old Settler’s Music Festival Sat., April 16 PLANO, TX Love & War Thurs., April 21 BEAUMONT, TX Courville’s Fri., April 22 NEW ORLEANS, LA New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Sat., April 23 THOMASVILLE, GA Due South Festival Thurs., April 28 TULSA, OK Woody Guthrie Festival Fri., April 29 KANSAS CITY, MO Knuckleheads Thurs., May 5 CHICAGO, IL City Winery
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