Subject: [Harp-L] SPAH 2012 photos and reflections

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Fabulous photos(and reflections): really nice job--thanks for  sharing!  It 
makes my having to cancel my SPAH reservation pretty  much last minute (due 
to my husband being hospitalized) a tiny bit easier to  accept, getting to 
see so many people 'in action'. Nice too that you ended with  such a cool 
photo of Marv Monroe, one of THE best SPAH people. 
 
Much appreciated. Hope we're both there for the 50th Anniversary.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 5
Date: Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:49:53 -0500
From: KEITH  MITCHELL <keithm@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] SPAH 2012 photos and  reflections
To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

My photo collection from SPAH  2012
http://keithm.smugmug.com/Events/SPAH-2012/24861210_ZwpJ5D
If you see  one of yourself you would like, email me at 
keithm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx to  receive the full size printable image via email. (no charge 
of  course)


SPAH 2012 in Texas was my 2nd SPAH experience, having  attended last year 
in Norfolk. I was blown away by the skill level, the variety  of harmonica 
genres, the willingness of the world's best talents to sit and talk  shop with 
even the lowest of beginners. I continue to expand my interest beyond  my 
initial focus on just blues diatonic. This year I decided to take advantage  
of the Judy and Al music theory six hour block of instruction using the  
chromatic harp. This was a wonderful experience and I am well on my way to 
being  able to play from standard music notation now. 

The list of performers  that were my favorites is long but will name a few. 
At the top of the list is  Todd Parrott. (http://toddparrott.com/) His 
mastery of the diatonic for country  and gospel cross harp is mind boggling. I 
have few videos I captured of him at  Hill Country Harmonica 2012 that will 
add you to his growing fan  base:

http://youtu.be/t-BVfhWHKoA
http://youtu.be/qTgE1tOfBTc
http://youtu.be/EUn0vL_l70Y
http://youtu.be/y3HAFoscFLE
http://youtu.be/1knTMO1keeo

With  a similar style of playing, I really enjoyed meeting and learning 
from Mike  Caldwell:
http://mikecaldwellmusic.com/
I bought all of his CDs and am  enjoying dissecting his music now.

I have 2 harps now from PT Gazell and  enjoyed seeing him in person again. 
The looping session by Brendon Powers was  out of this world. As usual the 
Filisko Teach-in was great with even more  instructors to pick from this 
year. I got my yearly David Barrett yearly fix and  was impressed with the 
growing fan base for Austin based Michael Rubin's  instruction. Met for the first 
time the Welch brothers from Dallas and  appreciate their hard work with 
the convention and their talent on the harp.  Jimi Lee, as usual, added to the 
success of the conference with his wiliness to  share his skills in jam 
sessions and live performances. Good to see my harmonica  customizer Greg Jones 
of http://1623customharmonicas.com/ in person. His table  in the vendor 
area was always buzzing.

Keith Mitchell
Round Rock,  Tx