Presidents Column

We just celebrated the first anniversary of the Indubitable Equivalents’
(ABI’s “house band”) splash on the music scene with their
inaugural performance at the 2004 Winter Leadership Conference. During their
first year, The Indubies (as they’re affectionately known) performed at
our Annual Spring Meeting, our Central States Bankruptcy Conference, our Northeast
Bankruptcy Conference, the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges and a “homecoming”
of sorts at our 2005 Winter Leadership Conference.
</p><p> We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these very talented musicians. However,
many might not know exactly how is much owed to the band and the guest musicians
that join them from time to time.
</p><p> The Indubies donate 100 percent their “appearance fees” to ABI’s
Endowment. Additionally, they donate a considerable amount of their (otherwise
billable) time to make the performances enjoyable to all. This donation is above
and beyond the individual contributions made as ABI’s leaders.

</p><p> The vast majority are current (or former) officers, directors and members
of ABI’s Executive Committee. During their first year, these included
the chair of ABI’s Board of Directors, our president, three vice presidents,
our secretary and one former vice president. One of our past presidents was
also formally inducted into the Indubies as an “Official Groupie”
of the band during its December performance. (Read about them and listen to
sound clips at www.abiband.com.)
</p><p> Few have seen, and most will never see, the hours of practice (both individually
and as a group), crafting the arrangements and harmonies, sound checks before
performances and travel (for both rehearsals and performances) undertaken at
their own expense. Each of these consumes valuable time and takes them away
from their families and regular jobs. These may not be “hard costs”
in the accounting sense, but they are definitely hard on the musicians, their
firms and families.
</p><p> Everyone appreciates a good party, and almost everyone enjoys listening to
a great rock-and-roll party band. When we take a step back to understand the
personal and professional sacrifices the musicians have made for us to have
a good time and for ABI to increase its Endowment, we appreciate them even more.
Our applause for their performances only goes so far. They deserve our heartfelt
thanks for all that they have given to us.
</p><p> The next time you see any member of the Indubies or the guest performers,
please let them know how much you appreciate what they have done for ABI—both
musically and in their roles as ABI’s leaders. They are (alphabetically):
Andy Caine (tenor sax), Jack Esher (bass guitar), Steven Golick (keyboards),
John Good (trombone/ percussion), Dillon Jackson (autoharp), George Kelakos
(lead guitar), Jordan Kroop (keyboards), Michael Richman (keyboards), Mitch
Ryan (lead vocals), Hon. Steven Rhodes (guitar) and Tom Salerno (percussion).
</p>