Thanks so much to those of you who have contributed to Coolfer this month. At the beginning of the month I posted that August would be pledge drive month. Well, between moving back to Nashville and starting classes, I have not mentioned it very often. As a refresher, I have dropped the ads and have replaced them with reader donations. My goal was 100 donations this month. We're short of that goal, but there are a few days left and your contributions are very welcome after the end of the month. A donation of any amount -- low or high -- is welcome and will help keep Coolfer rollin'.

Here's what your donation will get:

• $25 will get you a round of drinks if you happen to live in or are passing through Nashville.

• $50 will get you in a raffle for one of my favorite concert posters (frame not included). I have a Steve Earle at the Fillmore in March 1998, a Pavement at the Fillmore in July 1999 and a Guided By Voices at the Great American Music Hall in April 1995 (poster is by John Howard). I'll pick one donor and give him/her any one of the three.

• $1,000 will get you a five- to seven-page research paper on the music-related subject of your choosing. Why not put an industry-experienced MBA student to work for your company? Limit two (for the sake of my school schedule and sanity). If you're interested in this option, email me so we can talk about the finer points. I have been in talks with a few people about this option, so please contact me as soon as possible.