Re: [Harp-L] REASONS NOT TO GO TO SPAH

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 16, 2009, at 3:09 AM, Randy Singer wrote:

>  I cannot think of any reasons NOT TO GO TO SPAH!!!

The NSA. Certain airports (Newark, Denver, Tampa, Heath Row) have:,  
and I hate this word, 'snotty' people working the intake lines.  
Others (Miami, Ft. Myers, Cincinnatti, Milwaukee, Columbus, St.  
Louis, Dallas, Sarasota) are not too bad
> Can you think of any reasons not to attend at least one spah?

No, personally, I feel that one should attend at least every other  
year (if finances permit).
> Let me put it this way, going to SPAH for the last 18 years has  
> helped propel my harmonica playing, introduced me to some of the  
> finest individuals on the planet

Yeah, like YOU

> and helped me to dedicate my life to the harmonica.

Well, now hold on a minute there.  lolol

> Meeting people like Pete, Dick Gardner, Blackie, Bonfiglio,  
> Paparozzi, Howard, etc is priceless and life changing.
>
> Let me hear from you.......if you have any stories how you overcame  
> adversity to attend SPAH, please feel free to post them.
>
> Here is one story, totally true from me (as good as how the  
> harmonica saved me from a mugging in Paris a few years ago--True).

No one tries to mug me overseas. I dress like Gestapo and look like a  
shady sleazy bum.
> Back when I was living in Nashville in the early "80's, Pete  
> Pedersen decided to throw a Harmonica Convention in Memphis ( I do  
> not recall the exact year). It was to be a spectacular event with  
> Howard Levy (whom I had just started a learning experience  
> personally with him) as well as other harmonica illuminaries.
>
> I had approximately zero dollars at the time, so I finagled a  
> way.....i bartered with Pete to get in to the convention by  
> volunteering....hmmmmm
> but I had no money for a hotel room.
>
> So, I drove to Memphis and slept in my car.....not just any car,  
> but one of those cars you do not want to sleep in. I slept in my  
> Nissan 300zx.

Hold the phone. You had NO dollars but you were driving a zx. I was  
driving a little Ford Tempo.

> You know the one--- the two seater with the long exposed trunk that  
> gives you a few inches over your head when you lay down in it. Kind  
> of like sleeping in a coffin. Here is a photo of that prized tiny  
> car, my harmoniCar.
>
>  www.dragtimes.com/ Nissan-300ZX-Timeslip-10495...
>
> Plus, it was freezing!!!!!!!!!!!! I slept fitfully every night in  
> the back of the car in the parking lot in a sleeping bag.
>
> Thankfully i was able to steal a shower or too.

Ooooh, you had me scared there. Yeah, showers are nice.

> This convention was incredible and it changed my life. Forever glad  
> I went.

Me too, I was there. It WAS one for the books.
> So, damn the torpedoes, spah is full speed ahead.
>
> I hope to see everyone there, the economy just needs more harmonica  
> players....):):
>
> Best,
>
> randy singer
My major gripe with spahs has been hashed out in the past, so I won't  
go into it again, but the HOTEL is a major factor and can put a  
damper on your whole experience. I found (so far) the Milwaukee and  
the 2 Memphis' to be the best. The Hotels are usually set away from  
activity. But in Milwaukee, the people in the area were friendly. In  
Memphis, there were outside activities.