Ashley Brown sent along a number of photos of the instruments that were stolen from The Randy Kohrs Band on Saturday evening (7/25).

You can see details on the theft, a complete list of what was stolen, and contact information should you come across any of the equipment taken from their van near Columbus, OH in our previous post.

Here are the pictures she sent…

Randy Kohrs was among the artists who generously donated their time this past weekend to perform at the Musicians Against Childhood Cancer festival near Columbus, OH. Proceeds from this annual event benefit the St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, and dozens of bluegrass artists appear each year, receiving only expenses as a fee.

On Saturday night (7/25), after performing on the show, the band headed for the Sleep Inn in nearby Obetz, OH. Dog-tired and only expecting to sleep for a few hours, they chose not to unload the van before heading in for some rest, as was their common practice. Sometime between 3:30 and 5:00 a.m., thieves broke into their travel van and stole almost everything inside.

Ashley Brown, fiddler and media liaison for The Randy Kohrs Band, tells us that the total value of the gear taken has been estimated at over $50,000.

“This hotel is one that the artists are put up in for the festival and the parking lot was full of band vans and trailers, many containing musical gear. Ours was the only one broken into, though a construction company’s work truck parked next to us was also hit. The Obetz police were called and a detective processed the van.  Because it was such a high dollar amount, it’s considered grand theft. Unfortunately, there were no security cameras at the hotel.”

Ashley provided a list of the instruments and equipment stolen from their vehicle:

• Scheerhorn L-Body Resonator guitar #547
• Amistar Randy Kohrs Model tri-cone resonator
• Meredith all blonde, tongue-oiled maple resonator guitar
• Mike Long D-18 style acoustic guitar
• Custom Cedar Creek Case for the Meredith ‚Äì black alligator, inside is purple, has “Custom Built for Randy Kohrs” plate
• Two white Calton Cases with Randy’s name on them, both had red interiors
• Cedar Creek case for the acoustic Mike Long Guitar
• Forrest Craig (Texas-based luthier) Violin with L.R. Baggs pickup
• Strad copy violin, roughly 1880’s, the tag inside not exactly accurate
• A double violin case, the attached strap doesn’t match ‚Äì it’s maroon and gray with gold hardware.
• Upright acoustic King Bass, white with black trim, red tailpiece, rare
• 2 Warwick 2 10″ speaker cabinets
• Silver waterproof helicopter case with cables and a Shure wireless system
• 3 Stage Ninja brand quarter inch cables
• Fishman Dreadnought Aura, Fishman resophonic Aura, Fishman Reverb, Fishman Chorus, Fishman Delay, Boosta Grande Boost pedal, 2 Radial DI’s, Radial Tone Bone Pre-Amp, Hilton Optical volume pedal, 2 Peterson Strobe Stomp Tuners (one had Ashley B. written on the front of it in black marker)
• George Lawrence cables Tool Kit with extra cords and assorted tools
• All guitars have Fishman pick-ups installed

Photos of many of these instruments can be seen on the Randy Kohrs web site, and Ted Lehmann, who was at the MACC shooting photos of the show, also posted a few shots on his site.

Anyone with information about any of this stolen equipment is urged to contact Ashley Brown by email, or to call the Obetz Police Department at 614-491-3211.

Randy Kohrs is in the process of finishing up a new acoustic CD. We don’t have a title yet for the CD, but we’re told an early fall release on Rural Rhythm Records is the plan.

A single has just been sent to radio on the new Rural Rhythm Fresh Tracks CD. The title of the single is Devil of the Trail. The song is based on a true story and written by Randy, Dennis Goodwin, and Ashley Brown.

The players on this particular cut are Ron Block on banjo, Adam Steffey on mandolin, Randy on resonator guitar, Clay Hess on acoustic guitar, Tim Crouch on fiddle, and Aaron Ramsey on bass.

The tenor singer on the new Randy Kohrs single is Shannon Lawson. Lawson was a co-writer on the song “Who’s Goin’ With Me” from the last album.

Other special guests on the upcoming CD include Ronnie and Garnet Bowman, the McCrary Sisters, and more!

Here’s a sample of the song through the first chorus. Email your local bluegrass radio show and request the single if you want to hear the whole thing.

Devil of the Trail:   

Here’s a YouTube video of Randy Kohrs and his fine band performing on The Billy Block Show earlier this month. Randy and the guys (and Ashley) rip off a strong version of Jerry Reed’s The Likes Of Me.

The audio guy may have set his drink down on the mute button for the banjo mic, and you can sure hear the drums. The joys of capturing live acoustic music in a club setting…

There is one other clip from the show available on YouTube.

The Billy Block Show airs live on Tuesday and Sunday evenings on 103WKDF in Nashville, and via online streaming.