HAMLET — In 1967, the Beatles recorded “With a Little Help From my Friends,” and in 2019, the song rings true for the Ponder Project, according to guitarist John Baker.
Despite having their equipment trailer stolen less than a week before a gig at Hudson Brothers, the band members decided Monday night that, to quote the late Freddie Mercury, “The show must go on.”
The band announced the decision on its Facebook page late Monday.
Late Tuesday, the band issued a statement thanking those who have stepped up to help.
“We’ve had a bit of a setback with our equipment situation but the music scene around here is amazing,” reads the post. “We’ve had offers from so many bands and individuals to use their gear while we’re trying to get back on our feet.”
While the names of individuals who have lent the band equipment remain unknown, Baker did acknowledge they had offers from all over the local music community — including members of the Safety Committee, Bad Habit and Aftermath — regarding the use of drums, amps and other gear.
The equipment trailer, which was still loaded from a gig at Lake Tillery the previous weekend, was discovered missing Sunday evening.
It was last seen being pulled by a pickup truck down Main Street in Hamlet, heading toward N.C. 38. around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, according to the Hamlet Police Department.
The department posted surveillance video from the Depot to its Facebook page Monday afternoon. According to investigators, witnesses described the truck as being dark colored.
Vocalist Billie Adeimy posted Monday evening that automotive experts viewed the footage and were “99.% sure” that the truck is a red Toyota Tundra with a crew cab.
The trailer is white with the word “PONDER” in blue letters with a drop-shadow on both sides.
The band is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the trailer and its contents.
Anyone with information on its location or where it may have been seen is encouraged to call the Hamlet Police Department at 910-582-2551, Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454 or your local law enforcement agency.
News of the trailer’s theft spread quickly Sunday evening with fellow musicians from the county and the region, as well as fans and friends sharing the post on social media.
The band also acknowledged all the social media shares of updates over the past two days.
“Whatever ends up happening with the trailer situation, we just wanted to say thank you and it means a lot,” the band said. “Your generosity is what’s allowing us to still play Friday. See you at Hudson Brothers.”
(Note: This story has been corrected from the original version to change the model of the truck.)
