Subject: RE: [Harp-L] re: who's going to SPAH

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Welcome Daniel: 
 
I feel the same way Tom and Bob do..becoming a member is a major first  
step. You'll enjoy having your SPAH membership card to identify you. :) Now  
you'll be entitled to get the issues of Harmonica Happenings (DO sign up for 
the  snail mail version - you'll enjoy looking through the back issues - I 
keep mine  in a binder)...there'll be articles and photos - especially the 
post-SPAH  issues, and you'll be able to put some of the faces together with 
the names of  the people you've interacted with here.
 
There is SO much camaraderie and that 'family' feeling precisely because  
many of these people did meet many years ago and continue getting back 
together  year after year is so enjoyable. With the advent of the internet, it's 
made it  so much easier to remain connected. I've been a SPAH member only 
since  2005 but haven't missed one since. Through the people I now know I've  
learned so much about SPAH's history and those who came before. It's added  
so much to my life I can't imagine being without all the people I now know  
through SPAH and Buckeye.
 
I'm still hoping to go to this Convention and should know more tomorrow. I  
remember my first harmonica convention was fraught with much anxiety:  will 
I feel lost and out of place? (As a woman travelling alone miles from home  
it's a legitimate concern). I had nothing to worry about...being friendly 
and  open to others - especially those who were my elders, made for an 
extremely  pleasant SPAH experience. 
 
I was most warmly welcomed. In fact my very first Buckeye  Convention night 
(4 months before my first SPAH) some older male  chromatic players noticed 
my interest in their music (while I sat far  behind listening in to their 
group 'jam'), motioned me over to play along.  I refused politely (it was far 
too public for me at the time since I hadn't yet  played in front of 
anyone). They persisted. I persistently refused. Finally,  much to my shock, a 
couple of them came over, took my chair and physically  lifted me over and into 
their circle. <G> While still a bit reluctant to  play along due to my then 
huge level of 'stage fright', they  simply forced me to open up and become 
one of their group. From then on I  sat with them every night at every 
Buckeye. It carried over to SPAH since many  of the same people attended both, 
making going to SPAH so much easier.
 
 I only realized (at the last SPAH I attended) just how far I'd come  when 
I walked into the Hotel..heard some people playing, dropped my bag and  
immediately joined in playing before bothering to check in. 
 
They got me that first night.
 
 Over the years I've noticed some more solitary people remaining on  the 
sidelines - but seeming to remain there. Usually young people with perhaps a  
feeling of not wanting to intrude where they're unknown? Sometimes certain  
people can be a bit aggressive and rude so they turn off those they're  
attempting to befriend. 
 
So my suggestion to all is: be friendly, but relaxed. Say hello - to  
whomever you're standing next to. You will be standing next to someone wherever  
you are at SPAH - or sitting next to someone at sometime. Introduce 
yourself. We  all wear name tags but we don't all have the best vision or want to 
peer closely  at them. If someone looks as though they're having difficulties 
moving around,  offer help if you yourself are able-bodied. Or offer to get 
them tea,  coffee,water (there are usually machines or even free coffee set 
ups at some  Hotels). 
 
If it's close to lunchtime and you see someone else sitting alone - you  
might ask them if they've made plans or would like to get together for lunch.  
Make a friend in the process.
 
Above all - be approachable, helpful.  Listen more than talk  initially. 
Then join in. Talk about your musical interests. I guarantee that  there's at 
least ONE person who shares it and who will be happy to hear you  and/or 
play with you. If you can't find anyone interested - find a spot to begin  
playing - by yourself. Others do, why not you? Someone will usually either stop  
to comment or even join in..it's a good way to meet people. Unless there's 
a  seminar or scheduled play going on in your vicinity- everyone plays all 
of the  time. Most of the SPAH Hotels have little areas where people are 
playing  constantly.
 
If you're there with a vehicle - offer to take others to: quick trips to:  
lunch/coffee/local store. Immediate friends. If you're without a car and the 
one  who's in need of a ride - ask - or post a notice on the bulletin 
board. I once  (foolishly) didn't ask people I knew to help me get to a local 
store when I  badly needed something..so called a cab instead. He left me off 
at the door of  the Hotel - which meant I couldn't get my purchases to my 
room with one arm in a  sling (torn shoulder). People can be oblivious unless 
one speaks up. Later on I  was told that 'of course!' I would have been 
assisted by any number of friends  and acquaintances. At the time I felt 
decidedly helpless. 
 
'Some' harmonica people can be rude and crude, but for the most part the  
majority are absolutely spectacular human beings who will go out of their way 
to  help, and if they cannot they will find someone else for you who can. 
 
 The best part of all is that the people you befriend will for the  most 
part end up being friends for life. I know those I have now will be mine.  You 
can't package, bottle or buy that. And I usually meet more interesting  
people at every SPAH. 
 
I hope you find a way to come to SPAH some day. I get the feeling you  
definitely belong there.:)
 
Best,
Elizabeth
"Message: 11
Date: Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:53:20 -0400
From: "Tom  McGovern" <tmcg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] re: who's going  to SPAH
To: "Daniel Perrone" <dany_perrone@xxxxxxxxxxx>,  <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
<harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Message-ID:

Welcome aboard, Daniel!  I've been a SPAH member since 1999,  and
although I only have made it to a couple of SPAH conventions (and a  few
Buckeye fests), it does feel good to support the harmonica community  as
a card-carrying member of the SPAH family.  I'm still trying  to
re-arrange my schedule to get at least a couple of days at  the
convention this year.  It may only be Thursday and Friday, but if I  can,
I will attend.  When you surround yourself with the harmonica  masters
and other lovers of the instrument, only good things can come from  it!
I always come away feeling more in tune with my harmonica and  more
confident in my playing (even though you realize you ain't as good  as
you thought you were back home!). 
Tom McGovern
Richmond,  MI

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx  [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of Daniel Perrone
Sent:  Monday, July 25, 2011 10:54 PM
To: bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx;  harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] re: who's going to  SPAH



> SPAH is a family but we always have room for one  more.  Why not sign
up as a member and take that first step toward  coming to a convention.
This same invitation goes to everyone on the  list.  Please join SPAH,
regardless of whether you're going to the  convention.
> Bob
> 
> Bob Cohen
> Principal, MojoTools  Interactive Media and Marketing
> Publisher, spah.org


Thanks  for the invite Bob. Just finished joining SPAH online.

And you are right,  now it does feel , like in a small way at least , I
am a part of it  too.
Thanks.

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