Press release for Friday 17th July 2009
“Barbara Ward and the Ward-Knox family would like to thank everyone that has assisted them over the 5 weeks since Chris’ stroke – from cards & letters, to gifts, dinners, lawn-mowing, and much more. There are so many individual people that we simply can’t get back to everyone to express our gratitude at this time, but your efforts have made a difficult period in our lives much easier.
“We’d particularly like to thank MGMT & Sony for organizing the upcoming show on Monday night at the Bacco Room. It’s a very kind offer from MGMT who the Tall Dwarfs were about to play two shows with next week.
“We are currently organising an album of cover versions of Chris’ songs which will be called ‘Stroke’. We are thrilled by the line-up, which includes such people as David Kilgour, The Mint Chicks, Lou Barlow, Graeme Downs, Guided By Voices, The Mountain Goats, Jay Clarkson, Martin Phillips, Jay Reatard, Yo La Tengo, Lambchop, Shane Carter, Pumice, Alec Bathgate, Will Oldham, Jeff Mangum, and Bill Callahan.  It’s an exciting project, which will also give Chris’ friends and well-wishers an opportunity to contribute to Chris’ future.
“Chris is re-learning the skills that have been affected by the stroke. The stroke has affected the speech & language centers of Chris’ brain & the right side of his body. It looks like it could be a long recovery process, but Chris is still Chris with the same sense of humour & joy & love & taste & smarts & appreciation of the absurdity of life that he has always had.  Chris’ attitude to life remains positive, and he is currently a big fan of electric toothbrushes, iPods & poker. He also still delivers a good tune.
“We appreciate that people remain interested in Chris’ recovery and ask that the media continue to respect his privacy. ”

Roy Martyn