[Harp-L] Any SPAH Stories to Share?

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last year was my first SPAH. It was, simply put, a religious  
experience. I have lots of stories. I went as a vendor. Before the  
show even started, I was checking out the vendor rooms. There I ran  
into Brendan Power who is a customer, so we struck up a conversation -  
it was great to meet him face to face after so many email  
conversations.  A hotel worker came in to drape some tables. He had a  
thick accent - Brendan asked him where he was from. I'm embarrassed to  
say now I forget exactly where, but I believe it was Bulgaria. Brendan  
then said "oh, I've been working on a Bulgarian folk tune - would you  
like to hear it?" He whipped out a harp and played this tune - and did  
it so beautifully the man began to cry. I choke up every time I think  
about it, including now.

Then there was the next evening - I walked outside to hear a classic  
harmonica trio performing in the courtyard. My first thought was  
"where's the tuba?" Seriously. Finally I realized it was an amplified  
bass harp.  Wally Peterman was playing chord harp, whipping that huge  
thing from end to end without knocking out a single tooth and hitting  
all these cool chords - just unbelievable. It was the first time I'd  
heard chord harp + bass harp + chrom. I was absolutely transfixed.

Then there were the late night jams. You sit down with 40 people with  
harmonicas going around in a circle, and my first expectation was  
"this is going to be painful". I was however blown away when I  
realized just about everyone in the circle was GOOD and played  
something interesting and fresh. How cool.

There was that time when I heard L.D.Miller, Jay Gaunt and Brandon  
Bailey - all young teenagers with great talent - neat!

Then there was the moment, somewhere around 2:30 AM, when I found my  
self jamming with Joe Filisko, Brendan Power, Steve Baker, Jimi Lee  
and RJ Mischo. I never dreamed of playing with so many players of that  
caliber. How cool is that.

There were many more moments. Can't even remember them all. All I know  
is I can't WAIT for this year's SPAH. If it were east of New York I'd  
still be going. If you live ANYWHERE in the West, you have no excuse.  
Come. You will not be disappointed.


/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net