Re: [Harp-L] RE: Buckeye Cancelled

[Jim Rumbaugh <jrumbaug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Points discussed

1) general public venue
2) attracting new members
3) numbers going to harmonica festivals.

1) For 9 plus years, in Huntington, WV we have met at a coffe shop. Not a 
church, not a bar.  Membership is SLOWLY growing. (Less than 1 member a 
year).  I have always been sad that some of the area's better players do not 
come. I have often wondered if it was the lack of alcohol.  OR, that there 
were too many amatuers and that the level of playing is not good enough. OR 
that we play both straight and cross harp tunes.  But I am guessing that 
every change made, you gasin a few, and you loose a few.

on another note. The Java Joint is closing. We have 3 invitations to try. 
One is a famous local pizza parlor that serves beer. I will listen to the 
gang. It may be better, it may not. (beer = more enthusiastic hell raisers = 
more energy and fun.  Bigger public audiance = begginers afraid to perform 
or join in,  ??? who knows??? )

2)Attracting new members is allways a question.  For people to come there 
has to be "something in it for them".  That is probably why we have a lot of 
intermediate players that want to improve.  But we have blues players and 
traditional players.  It's kinda like oil and water.  We try to mix it up, 
but some times it just don't work. (tonight we played "Blues Night and 
Spagehti Dinner" at a local elementary, Even though the people liked the 
blues, they SANG ALONG to Camptown Races, Happy Wanderer, Etc.)

3) Sooner or later I will hold some type of event in Huntington,WV.  I'm not 
sure what yet, but from this club I have learned to start small and watch it 
grow.  I "REALLY" wanted to go to my first Buckeye. I attended my first VA 
Harmonica Fest this year.  I wanted to see how these events run. I have also 
attended Augusta Blues week, in Elkins WV.  Since I am a diatonic player, I 
may focus on the diatonic. But from 2 sources I have heard different views. 
#1"The chromatic players are the ones that spend the money" #2"The chromatic 
players are on a fixed income and can't spend the money, focus on 
diatonics".  So is there a right way??? I suppose you still need to have 
something for both, just like my club, but I may slant it towards what I 
know best, diatonics (The first time I heard about Buckeye, 5 years ago, I 
heard, as soon as the blues or diatonics started playing, most of the crowd 
went away. hmmmmmm. is that why??????????? )

I have rambled enough.  I will add one more thing.  June 17th, 18th and 19th 
(fri,sat,sun) The Harmonica Club of Huntington, WV is playing on the streets 
at Central City Days. ANYONE that wants to come join in can contact me/us 
via our web site theharmonicaclub.com or hhcwv.com.  We play on the streets 
from 9 to 5. The merchants will pay $10/hour per man and you keep any 
tips(but there wont be many). You could earn enough to pay your room and 
board. If enough people show interest, there is a NICE cabin 3 miles away 
that we can share and make it a 3 day group event. Last year, Danny G and 
David Payne were the only "outsiders" to make the trip.  Don't be afraid to 
ask for details.