[Harp-L] Re: SPAH Stuff

[Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am realizing that when copy/pasting this from another forum, I
probably made it difficult to understand MBH and Greg.  I was
referring to the Modern Blues Harmonica Forum and Greg Heumman's mics.

Honestly, IME, I've found SPAH pretty easy to work with.  With SPAH in
MN, I thought it was kinda weird that I was contacted about
participating through a buddy who happened to be in a local harmonica
club considering how many people related to SPAH would know my name.
I am not even cool...I just use my real name on the L, MBH, etc, so
you'd think people would know how to find me, etc, once someone
pointed out I was in the area.

Which makes me wonder if SPAH goes online to research where players
are from...not just any players, but those who are popular online.
Again, I don't mean that I am popular, just that I participate a lot,
so my name would pop up because I am using it - and not because people
are talking about me.

I also thought it was odd that none of the locally-famous harmonica
players other than myself and Clint Hoover were involved much.  I
could list six VERY well connected harmonica players around the Twin
Cities that would have 1.) paid money to attend 2.) probably paid more
attention to SPAH after the convention and 3.) would have spread the
word.

In hindsight, I guess SPAH failed to get involved at any meaningful
level with the local harmonica scene.  My friend, Harold Tremblay, is
a popular harp player in the area who is also the most popular blues
DJ at the largest station playing blues in the state.  He had no clue
what SPAH was (that was the impression I got) until I talked to him
after the event.

The most concerned effort to include the local scene was the blow-off,
which isn't even a totally sanctioned SPAH event (advertising for
people to come so the club could pay the performers).  I know they
help support it, but in their defense, they don't make any money off
it.

I guess I'd just try and target the world-wide scene 51wks of the year
and really hit the local scene hard during the convention in hopes of
getting more people on board with SPAH the other 51wks.

On Dec 21, 1:58 pm, Mike Fugazzi <mikefuga...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>  Edit<http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/edit_message/5560960/262943...>
> IMHO -
>
> SPAH simply needs to be proactive in adopting to the changes in society in
> an effort to stay with the times as it relates to harmonica.
>
> I am not saying gut the whole thing, but get with the times. It is like
> trying to be Blockbuster when Netflix is all the rage.
>
> I want to see someone apply this to SPAH:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp0HIF3SfI4
>
> I think the actual convention can easily balance a range of generations,
> but there are 51wks a year where the easiest way to reach and impact the
> greater harmonica community is through the Internet. SPAH should be the
> informational HUB of all things harmonica - and since we live all over the
> world, this is the only medium that would really work.
>
> We can all count on our fingers the number of popular harmonica outlets
> that really impact the niche of hardcore enthusiasts, and honestly, I don't
> see the purpose in trying to attract the attention of even some of the
> fringe harmonica lovers.
>
> SPAH needs to focus on actual harmonica players and resources and not
> trying to reach the masses. They need to tie in with these sites, vendors,
> and players in a way that benefits everyone.
>
> Heck, off the top of my head - I would gladly endorse something like SPAH
> through my site in return for even a mere listing on their site somewhere.
> That wouldn't cost anyone anything.
>
> There are a lot of cheap ways to have a great tie-in with the harmonica
> community and gain exposure and popularity, and eventually some money.
>
> Like I said, SPAH resources should be the first thing to pop up in Google
> and YouTube when asking questions about harmonica. Heck, when I search now,
> MBH and Harp-L come up 80% of the time on Google.
>
> If I go to YouTube and type in anything related to one of Greg's mics -
> SM57 for harp, wooden mic, etc - I should see a gear demo of Greg
> demonstrating his stuff done by SPAH. It should be like harmonica NAMM
> stuff on YT.
>
> I am just rattling off random stuff to illustrate that SPAH needs to be the
> HUB of harmonica online and use modern technology to gain in popularity.
>
> Shit, people on this forum have made careers off the internet and for
> little money. Imagine all the great harp minds working together to do the
> same for SPAH!
>
> Finally,
>
> I have to disagree that having a couple of people running the whole thing
> behind the scenes is the way to go (some people on the net have hinted at
> that). I like the idea of a democracy and committees with experts serving
> in each area. I think you avoid 90% of the politics when you have sane
> people working on a common goal.
>
> Which reminds me, what is SPAH's mission statement? I went to the site and
> didn't see it. There is half the problem. Have a mission, organize to reach
> that mission and let the greater good of that mission determine what really
> goes on day to day.
>
> BTW, if your mission statement is longer than a sentence or two, it sucks.
> If it takes more than two clicks for me to find it, that doesn't work
> either.
> ----------
> Mike Fugazzi
> vocals/harmonicahttp://www.mikefugazzi.com
> Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/MikeFugazziMusic>
> YouTube <http://www.youtube.com.user/mikefugazzi>
> Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
> <http://www.mikefugazzi.com/fr_customharmonicas.cfm>