Guest Post from Jesus Martinez of the Bayou City Blues, originally posted on their website.
It’s been over a week now since Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas Gulf Coast, and left his devastation behind him after he left. He was very similar in a way to the Bayou City Blues on a Chelsea summer tour or on a trip to London. Only difference is…….wait there is no difference! In all seriousness, Harvey did leave a path of destruction which many have yet to realize just when their lives will be back to normal. Some of the families affected by Harvey were part of our Bayou City Blues family. Natural disasters are always difficult to watch on TV as victims struggle to make sense of it all, but it hits you in a different way when it affects yourself or those around you. Harvey did just that, and now our BCB family has a long road to recovery. That road however was made easier by the massive support our group received during our darkest hour. What was originally intended to be a GoFundMe here locally turned into solidarity amongst a sea of Chelsea supporters from all walks of life. Even in England fellow Blues donated to help us get our affected BCBs back to a somewhat normal life. Never did we imagine that the support would go as far as it did, but at the same time we should’ve never doubted it coming from fellow Blues. Our charity drive was also a big success as Chelsea chapters teamed up, and sent clothing, water, baby formula, animal food and so much more to help those here in Houston. From the very first delivery we received to the last the total amount of goods sent to the BCBs equaled 12 pallets!! If you’ve never seen what 12 pallets would look like imagine 2,117 bottles of Jameson standing on top of each other. I only know that because of my previous career. The Bayou City Blues are forever indebted to all who supported us in our time of need, and we simply can’t even begin to thank you all for what you’ve done for us. Our hearts were left fulfilled, but our words were non existent, and seemed difficult to come out in the right away. If you’ve ever met any of us then you know that leaving us speechless is a pretty big deal!! One thing you can all be assured of is this….. If and when you or your loved ones are ever in need you can bet that the BCBs will be the first to stand by your side in your darkest hour. Even if Hurrican Harvey didn’t happen the BCBs would still be the first to stand by your side. It’s simply what we do as a group. It’s the way we live our lives here in Houston. We’re loud, rowdy, some say “elitist” but if you knew us then you’d know we’re not. So now the time comes for us to do something for you all, and we can only hope to match the levels of genorosity you all showed us. Houston will open its doors to you, and our homes will forever be yours. From every Bayou City Blues member affected or not by Harvey we say thank you. Thank you to all who helped, and thank you to all who helped spread the word. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough, but we still have the rest of our lives to make it up to you all. “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.” -Ulysses S. Grant