About Us
On the morning of October 9, 2009, the members of the band Bankrupt and the Borrowers received a phone call none of them ever expected. Jon Pettis, one of the bands founding members and a beloved friend, had passed away in a fire at the home where he and his fiancée were living. The 5 other artists, musicians and friends who called the Pettis house a home all survived, left with literally
nothing but the clothes on their back. When Jon’s loved ones needed help the most, the Austin music community and those who support it were there, to get them back on their feet. One year after his passing, and after much grieving, Jon’s former bandmates – James Taylor, Jesse Moore and Blue Mongeon – and their band manager Gene Griffin decided that the best way to pay tribute to Jon’s legacy would be to build something to help others. The Revival Fund strives to help musicians and their families in the same way we saw so many people help Jon’s family and friends get through the weeks and months following the morning of October 9th. Currently, The Revival Fund is in the process of filing and receiving 501(c)(3) federal status. The organization went public January 6, 2011 with a launch party at Mohawk in Austin, TX, one of Jon’s favorite venues and the site of so many Bankrupt and the Borrowers performances. Musicians – professional or part-time. Jon was never in a position to call himself a professional musician. He worked part-time jobs when he could get them, quitting if the road called his name. These are the people who need our help the most and are the people who will most often receive it. Be it a medical crisis, a natural disaster, or just plain bum-luck, our Board of Directors reviews every aid application thoroughly, deciding who needs our help the most and dependent upon how much money we have from one fiscal year to the next. To be considered for assistance, a musician must meet the required qualifications and be able to prove that they are pursing music seriously and have done so for several years. Currently, The Revival Fund is in the difficult process of raising funds and thus is not in a position to offer the assistance we strive for – at least not yet. Our goal is to have raised enough money within 6 months of going public to be able to receive applications for assistance. To help us reach this goal, please make a donation today.
