Re: Congrats Hoot & Spah! (convention report-long)

[the Leones <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

   Original message from Rob (Ole Blue Eyes) Paparozzi
>
>Thanks Again to Hoot & SPAH on a Winner!
>Here's to another 40 years!!!
>If you are serious about the Harmonica,  I implore you to join 
>SPAH..............
>
>all the best........rob paparozzi

   I have to echo Rob's letter. And since he covered just about 
everything all I can say is that who would have believed that a 
little boy from Bensonhurst (N.Y.C.) would shine shoes on the Staten 
Island Ferry, save his nickels & dimes and buy a harmonica only to 
have it go down with the Andrea Doria.

   Many (TOO many) yrs go by and for his 41st birthday his wife buys 
him a 64. Then in 1984 he meets Jerry Murad, they become friends, and 
he winds up spending Tuesday evenings at Jerry's house with a bunch 
of guys playing harmonica.....wow.

   So then he joins SPAH and starts going to the conventions starting 
in 1989...bigger wow. Imagine playing harmonica with the best in the 
world. Is there ANYTHING better?

   I don't understand why EVERYONE doesn't join. It's NOT like the 
government. They don't draft you. They don't tax you without 
representation. They give back. What a great deal.

   The people of SPAH: Does anyone realize just how lucky we are to 
have people like Rob Paparozzi, Wm Galison, Joe Filisko, Dave Barrett 
and oh so many more whose names are imbedded in my mind but I am 
having a hard time coming up with. These people teach & teach and 
give & give and they do it for NOTHING. Where else can you get this. 
In this fast paced "make a buck" world, we are indeed fortunate (and 
humble) to be able to share in their valuable time. Just MY 34 Lire's 
worth

   Great job HOOT (YOU know who you are), Great job SPAH

   remember; harmonica is a love affair
             PEOPLE are the reason I'm in SPAH
             The PEOPLE keep me coming back.

   Joe (smokey-joe) Leone/Sergio Carlo Leone di San Marco, 
Castigleone, Cosenza, It.

   P.S. Rob, we really missed you at the Jazz Cabaret