FAQ

WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO POPS AND HIS WIFE, LOIS?

A LETTER FROM SCOTT LAWRENCE
PIANIST WITH STOMPY JONES AND LONG-TIME FRIEND OF POPS

My name is Scott Lawrence. I have known Pops (Peter Walsh) for 35 years. We have worked in various bands together since the early 1970s, when I played with Pops every Sunday for six years at the Sweetwater in Mill Valley, CA. We were in the band Stompy Jones together from 1998 until 2006 when Pop's physical health prohibited him from working with the band any longer.

These days Pops is beset by medical problems, has many medical bills, and has real difficulty keeping a roof over his head. He is a diabetic, he has had a heart operation, and has been hospitalized for hydro-encephalitis (water on the brain). To add to his problems, his wife has MS (Multiple Sclerosis). She has worked full time until just recently, but she has only been able to work part-time in the last few months because her condition is deteriorating. Peter hasn't worked in almost a year, his bills are mounting, and his fans inquire about his condition almost daily.

I can think of very few people in worse straits, who is more loved by such a wide audience, and who is more deserving of assistance. Please help us by contributing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Scott Lawrence

HOW LONG WILL POPS NEED OUR HELP?

Until he and his wife get into affordable housing and his wife get on Disability.

HOW CAN I HELP?

1. Make a donation right now. What Pops and his wife need immediately is financial help to cover their basic living and health expenses.

2. Then, send THIS LINK to everyone you know who might want to help! If you want to make a direct donation, please contact Rusty Frank by email or phone 310 606 5606.

AREN'T THERE ORGANIZATIONS HE CAN GO TO FOR HELP?

Yes, thank goodness. And that is in the works, too. But they need help ASAP.

DOES POPS KNOW ABOUT THIS FUNDRAISING EFFORT?

Yes, and I can't tell you how much it all means to him and Lois. They can hardly express it.

HOW WILL THIS FUND WORK?

The money that comes in will go directly to pay Pops' and Lois' bills to keep them in their apartment, keep their health insurance, their phone, car, etc. We are guessing at least five months, with our start date as July 19, 2007.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THEY NEED UNTIL THEY GET ON DISABILITY?

About $3,500 a month. This will keep them in their apartment, covered by their health insurance, and all their basic needs. No frills, believe us.

WHO STARTED THIS FUND?

This fund was founded by Rusty Frank & Scott Lawrence.

Rusty Frank, Lindy By The Sea & The Rhythm Club, has been close friends with Pops since they first met in 2000, while she was recovering from her broken neck. Pops' compassion and good humor to her at that time endeared him to her forever.

Scott Lawrence has worked professionally with Pops for 35 years. He is the piano player with Stompy Jones. When he started seeing Pops' deterioration he became obsessed with the idea of doing some fundraising efforts for his great friend, Pops.

LET'S ALL HELP POPS GET THROUGH THIS!

Pops has given us so much joy over these past years with his fantastic singing and exuberant entertainment with Stompy Jones (formally Swing Session). We're sure there's hardly a swing dancer out there who hasn't had some of their happiest moments on the dance floor when Pops was up at the mike!

Let's not let him slip through the cracks.

THANK YOU!

Rusty Frank & Scott Lawrence
Pops Emergency Fund Co-Founders

Please send this to everyone you know who might like to help!

Pictured L-R "Stompy Jones Soundie Girls" Rusty Frank, Lovelynn Jensen, Annamarie Firley, Pops... at the Satin Ballroom 2002.

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