I apologize for being a few days late and slapp short.  I do have a valid reason as you'll discover as you read on.  I was all set to give p.diddy a nice slapp but then something important came to my attention and I knew what I had to write. 

A few days ago I walked into the lord of the anti-realm's office (that's what some of our readers call him for whatever reason) and noticed he was working on a graphic.  It was a logo on a black background that read "Raven's Heart".  I figured it was for some metal band but I asked Keavin anyway and instead of confirming my suspicion he told me a rather sad story about a little girl named Raven. 

I'll get to Raven's story in a minute but first I need to give you a little background so you see how this relates to music.  About a year ago Keavin wrote a really cool antiTorial related to how we as diehard music fans are united in our love for music.  Music really does bond us in a way that others thing never could and people with such different backgrounds and ideals can come together and find common ground in music. 

Raven's story starts with her parents who are probably two of the strongest examples of diehard music fans you will ever find.  Their love for music is at the center of their lives (apart from their family of course).  Misse and Bryan Robinson have the music they love at the core of their beings.  So much so that at their wedding the usual bridal march was replaced with Metallica's "Ecstasy of Gold". Their love for Metallica goes far further than that. Their oldest and youngest sons are named after Metallica members and each of Misse and Rob's five children were welcomed into the world with Metallica playing in the background. So we are not talking about your average music fans here, the Robinson's are devoted. 

That brings us to Raven, the youngest Robinson to join this musical family. Raven was born two months ago (August 26). Misse and Bryan were expecting another son and were prepared to name the baby after Zakk Wylde, but fate handed them a beautiful daughter instead. However, Raven was born with Ventricular Septal Defect, a very large hole in between the right and left pumping chambers of her heart. This is a very serious problem and Raven must undergo open heart surgery to repair the hole. According to Misse, "Surgeons will need to stop [Raven's] heart in order to repair it, using a heart-lung machine to keep her alive while they work. She may require a pace maker for the rest of her life if the stitching through her heart interrupts the normal electric current."  As you can guess the operation and follow-up treatment are not going to be cheap and Misse and Bryan are going to extraordinary lengths to get Raven the care she needs.  Misse can not go back to work because she must care for Raven 24/7 and Bryan is working as hard as he can to make money.  But it's not enough.

This is where Keavin came into the picture (at least how I understand it). Misse had contacted Happenin' Harry, the concert promote that antiMusic sponsors shows for. She was trying to find a buyer for some rare rock collectables that she needs to sell to raise money for Raven's surgery.  I'm not sure if it was Keavin or Harry that suggested to Misse that it would probably be better to put together a benefit concert and set up a foundation so fellow metal fans can donate money to help Raven. But that's what is happening, Harry is burning up his phone getting artists to pledge to perform at a benefit show (the last I heard members of Disturbed and Type O' Negative were on board and actors Pete Greene and W. Earl Brown have pledge their support) and Keavin put together a quick website for the newly formed Raven's Heart Foundation. (that's what that logo I mentioned earlier was for). 

Once I heard Raven's story, I knew I had to write something about it.  The website wasn't ready Friday, so I had a hold off a couple days to post this. Here is where you come in.  Chances are if you read this you are a big rock fan. You can relate to Misse and Bryan Robinson's love of music and the similar love of the music their children are being raised with. That's why I think it's important for us, the fellow music fans, to step up to the plate and help one of our own.  I'm sure once word gets out that rock stars (maybe even Metallica) will join in and help but Raven is scheduled for surgery in two weeks and there isn't a lot of time. So if we as fans can help out, it will make a big difference. 

Here is my pitch.  With this running in the Day in Rock I know that it is likely that 20,000 people may read this.  If everyone that reads this donates just $1 to Raven's Heart Foundation then the Robinson's will have the money for Raven's surgery and some of the post operation expenses can also be covered.  What's more, after Raven is on the road to recovery, Misse Robinson plans to keep the Raven's Heart Foundation going to raise money for other children born with heart problems.  I know not everyone that reads this will donate but please if you can spare a couple dollars or more right now, I encourage you to click the link provided below and do so (they take paypal or you can mail a check).  Raven is one of us, and she needs our help. 

http://www.ravensheart.org

Thank you. 
Rock with Heart, 

Scott. 

(If journalists from other publications read this, you are more than welcome to reprint all or part of this article.  Or if you'd like to write your own article, please do so and help get the word out to our fellow music fans.  We can make a difference for one of our own. If you know a rockstar that may be able to help with the benefit, please send them a link to this article or ravensheart.org) 
 
 

Your turn. 

Fan Speak:


Posted by Misse:
Sott, this is amazing! Thank you for writing about my sweet little bird, Raven! Love and Happiness to all!