Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Al Smith/ Robert Bonfiglio

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

Oh Betty, that's a great idea. I had had a vision at one of the  
dixieland festivals that I frequently attend. What they do there is  
have a sponsorship program. People chip in and back bands OR  
individuals. Some money goes to bands who are a little too close to  
the wallet to make trips around the country. Meanwhile they are good  
players and right up there with the best BUT are only  
'Internationally famous' in their own areas.
There are also individuals who have a lot to offer and these too are  
recipients.

The problems I DID run into were (basically, but not limited TO:)

Trad jass (minstrel, rag-time, dixie style, traditional, swing) deal  
with a genre and not an individual instrument. Since they encompass  
clarinets, cornets (my old hatchet), trumpet, trombone, banjo, bass  
horn, piano, etc., the fan base can be much larger and with it comes  
the 'swells'. The attendance is in the thousands (rather than  
hundreds).  Swells are the people who tend to have blue/white hair  
(due to the era they are from), are older, professional, well heeled,  
comfortable. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, stock brokers, business  
owners, corp presidents, etc. Even congressmen.

You would be surprised as to how many wealthy professionals are ALSO  
musicians. They never followed it professionally because they made  
too much at their 'day' job, but are, nonetheless, exceptional. THEY  
support their love....trad jazz.

I see the harmonica world as a much smaller niche as we are dealing  
with basically ONE instrument and not a complete 'style'. Considering  
the 'nicheability' of the harmonica, I feel we get an attendance  
inordinate to the number of us that actually exist.  I would love to  
be wealthy and endow a harmonica super fund, but alas, I am the run  
of the mill retiree back porch player. If, however, such a fund DOES  
sprout, I would be happy to donate a K or 2.

Your suggestion is a read out of my mind, and I always knew you  
weren't just another pretty face  :)  (missed my cousin Frank,  
nephews Jerl, Berl, & John, and grand nephew John jr.) Hope you're  
all OK.

kisses & hugs......smokey-joe


On Aug 23, 2006, at 10:00 PM, BETTY WELCH wrote:

> Perhaps the submitting of a name should come from an acquaintance  
> or friend who knows the circumstances and could verify without  
> having to divulge too much personal info.   This would be an act of  
> faith....realizing it can be abused from time to time.
>   But, I can think of one such talent in the San Antonio area who  
> would be blown away by such an experience.  Not only that, SPAH  
> would receive a special reward by the natural talent he possess as  
> a blues harp player.  A lot of talented musicians just don't make  
> the money to reap the benefits of a SPAH experience.
>   It could make a huge difference in the lives of many people.
>
> Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
>   Already suggested that Betty. A super fund to help people attend. It
> went nowhere as no one was willing to ask personal questions about a
> person's financial status. In afterthought, it WOULD be tricky, eh?
>
> On Aug 22, 2006, at 9:41 PM, BETTY WELCH wrote:
> > Perhaps SPAH should start a scholarship fund for those who are
> > not financially able to attend. In this way, we could spread the
> > joy to those less fortunate.
> > Just a thought.......
> >
> > Betty
>
>
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