F*cking scumbags.
If you’re not familiar with Ritch Henderson, he’s one of the latest in a long line of incredible artists coming out of Alabama right now after dropping a killer debut album this year with Fallacies and Four Letter Words.
It’s already hard enough for artists who earn a living out on the road. But during a recent trip to North Carolina, some a*sholes decided to make what was already a difficult time for Henderson a little harder.
Unfortunately while Henderson was in Charlotte for a show at The Evening Muse, he began experiencing heart problems and ultimately ended up having to go to the emergency room.
Luckily he was ok, telling Queen City News that he was ultimately diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, but he did end up spending two nights in the hospital.
And while he was in the hospital, somebody made an already sh*tty situation even worse by breaking into his vehicle and stealing more than $15,000 worth of instruments and gear, including guitars, drums, and cymbals.
It happened while the vehicle and trailer were parked outside of the hotel that the band was staying at, which apparently didn’t have cameras to catch the thieves in action.
But Henderson is still holding out hope that the gear will be found, and is asking folks to keep an eye out for it – especially in places like pawn shops and Facebook groups, where stolen merchandise often ends up.
And a friend of Henderson’s has started a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised over $2,000 to go towards replacing the lost gear.
Overall, Henderson says he’s just trying to maintain a positive attitude through a rough situation:
“I’ve tried to maintain positivity and know that everything will work out how it’s supposed to, but it was heavy. It was a shock for sure.”
If you’re in the Charlotte area, be sure to keep an eye out for anybody trying to sell anything that looks like it might be some of the stolen gear. And let’s hope these bastards are caught sooner rather than later.