Monday, October 20, 2008
Media The Bat Poet Needs Your Help
Posted by Jim Ridley on Mon, Oct 20, 2008 at 2:00 PM
A burly veteran cabbie with an inimitable giggle, Joey Bowker is better known as Nashville public-access TV legend The Bat Poet, a scruffy superhero whose dada antics never fail to stop channel surfers in mid-flip. But his current situation is no laughing matter. According to MEAC spokesman Brittany Conner, Bowker is currently undergoing triple-bypass surgery at Baptist Hospital, and he faces additional health complications from kidney failure and diabetes. Worse yet, Bowker is uninsured and has not been able to work in several months.
"The Bat Poet has been entertaining Nashville for 13 years," Conner says in a written statement. "He has never made a profit from his show and only did it out of love of entertaining."
Conner and Nashville entertainer Melba Toast are putting together a benefit "best of" DVD whose sales will go directly to Bowker. Sam Thompson, president of Nashville's community-access Channel 19, or CAC, is also trying to create a mini-telethon in Bowker's behalf. In the meantime, donations to help defray his extensive medical bills and related costs may be sent to either MEAC Channel 19, MCA TV 9 or iQ TV 10.
Checks made out to Joey Bowker should go to:
Joey Bowker Fund
c/o CAC & MEAC
120 White Bridge Rd. #45
Nashville, TN 37209
Conner says Bowker "will also gladly accept non-perishable food donations that comply with his dietary restrictions." These may be brought to the PEG Studio facilities behind Nashville State on White Bridge Road.
Recover quickly, Bat Poet. Nashville needs its Dark Knight.
Comments (9)
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I'm substantially distressed to discover my friend 'The Bat Poet' is struggling with yet another affliction. (Joey and I go back to when he first arrived in Nashville. His first home in Music City was a pup tent.) It's sad that often friends must learn about each other's tribulations from another source. I'm grateful for the information Pink. Thank you.
Joey has always been the quintessential clean liver. He's never been a drinker or a drugger, nor has he participated in other common dissipations. At one point, before diabetes put a stop to it, he walked to and from his work as a taxi operator because it was good for him. (I used to offer him rides. He usually declined.) Strange that one whose behavior was thus has been so extravagantly afflicted. When the time comes, I intend to question God about that.
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Thanks for the insights, W.D. My understanding is that he's had a horrible year, including a hard time finding a permanent home for his show. He could use all the help he can get.
Also, from the time I spent around him several years ago researching a cover story, I'd say The Bat Poet using drugs or alcohol would be unnecessary, or at least anticlimactic. Amphetamines would just slow him down.
"Strange that one whose behavior was thus has been so extravagantly afflicted."
Genes. And another example of the world as it really is, not how we'd like it to be. But now's not the time to debate that.
Poor guy. The Bat Poet is awesome.
BAT POET UPDATE:
Ole' Bat is through his surgery and in his room-#5311, at Baptist Hospital. Nothing would give him a better lift than to hear from his fans; except, perhaps, having "The Bat Poet Show" picked up by HBO.
The Bat Poet got out of the hospital this evening and my husband went & picked him up & brought him to our house for a big ol' gettin' out of the hospital dinner! Joey ate enough to choke a horse! He's a little under weight, but thank God his appetite is back! He's cheerful & in good spirits, thankful for his new lease on life! Now he's just got to go home & rest, & let God & nature do the healing! We're just glad he's going to be around for a few more years!
Sam Thompson & I are planning a benefit telethon in November on channel 19, either on a Friday or Saturday night. Also, Brittany Conner & I are producing a "Best of The Bat Poet" DVD to be sold to help Joey with food, heat & medical supplies, etc... Thanks to everyone for their concern for our Brave Bat Poet!
Wonderful posting , You've hit the
mark with this, I just don't think that people quite get what you're saying.
I'm not for sure how many people I've talked to about this very
thing in the past month, and they just don't grasp it.
, Excellent post!
My is harvey and I played greenman on the batpoet show from 1997 to 2002 I have been a true friend and e give me his card with his number on it but I have lost it so if anyone as got his number email it to me ok ty. Well I didn't know anything about his sickenss but when I last saw him he was geting his meds so we have talked I have had such a great time working with him for the time that we had so ty.
