The Black Lillies Forge Onward Following Gear Theft

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.
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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.

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“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.”
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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.
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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:

• Attend an upcoming show. Now more than ever, it will do the band tremendous good to see people enjoying the music.

• Buy their music. If you already have it, turn a friend onto it (they don’t mind if you burn CDs and share them). It’s available at independent record stores and other brick-and-mortar retailers as well as online at theblacklillies.com, Amazon.com, and iTunes. (If your local store doesn’t have it in stock, request they order it from distributor Sony RED.)

• Spread the word about the instruments and help track them down. Let’s make it impossible for these guys to sell them without getting caught. (View a list of the stolen gear, with serial numbers, here.) 

• If you love a touring musician, buy them a GPS vehicle tracker or anti-theft device in the Black Lillies’ honor. They don’t want to see this happen to other people. If you do that, please let the band know via Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #theblacklillies.

• Call your local radio stations and ask them to play the band’s music. It’s a great way to show support and hopefully will help us gain a few new fans along the way. 
  
  

The Black Lillies have already shown a knack for recovering from adversity — they lost two members just before entering the studio to record Hard to Please yet still managed to release their strongest album to date — the band is more determined than ever to stay on the road and deliver their music the best way they know how: by performing live for their fans.

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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