Re: [Harp-L] Update on Harrison Harmonica/SPAH Scholarship Fund

[Kevin Hamilton <kham27@xxxxxxxxx>]

Is Jerome Godboo well known out there. He has to be one of the most under
mentioned and one of the best players I've ever heard!  Check him out if
you haven't already and stay tuned for a weekend workshop retreat this
spring in southern ontario! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntaeh5Smpu4

Kevin

On 26 September 2012 15:32, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> On Sep 25, 2012, at 10:39 PM, Bob Cohen wrote:
>
> >
> > On Sep 25, 2012, at 9:21 PM, Jp Pagán <jplpagan@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >> And here I thought I'd been doing a good job as SPAH "media-guy." SPAH
> does have a "scholarship fund," so to speak.
> >
> > What I'm proposing is different than the youth scholarship. I'm more
> interested in discovering mature players who gig but who aren't known
> outside their area.
>
> I suppose you're referring to me. As I am only internationally known in
> the 14000 block of San Carlos Blvd. Ft. Myers, fla. lolol
>
> > Players like this live all over the place. They are very talented but
> for whatever reason, no one's ever heard of him (or her) .
>
> Maybe they're not pushy?
>
> > Also, unlike the SPAH youth scholarship, this would be a no-strings
> attached grant that covers all the expenses including food.
>
> I would preclude the food part. After all, if they stayed home, while they
> would not have any of the other expenses, they would still have to eat. And
> some people eat too much. :)
> >
> > To avoid confusion, let's scratch the term scholarship and call it a
> "Grant" or perhaps a  "Fellowship." In any event I view this as a very
> different animal from the youth scholarship.
>
> I see one immediate problem Bob. Some people are used to playing with a
> band and not comfortable with back up tracks. Generally this is because the
> things they want to do are not available on back up tracks IN the
> arrangement they prefer. Most back up tracks are fairly straightforward and
> stock.
>
> Spah is never going to provide live musicians for anyone whom is not a
> 'known commodity'. They just can't afford it. Their 'overhead' is too high.
> Using myself as poster boy example: I started going to Spah in 1991. I was
> almost 49. I had just returned to harmonic after about a 30 year absence. I
> wasn't ready to play, so I was relegated to open mike, and hall & lobby
> jams. But all the while that Gordon Mitchell and then Bob Williams were
> running things, I was never asked to play. That has been referred to as the
> golden age of Spah.
>
> Meanwhile, the very following year that I first showed, a few other people
> showed up at Spah for the very first time and immediately wound up with an
> evening shot. After 11 years, and now into Doug Tate's presidency, Paul
> Davies asked me to play in 2002. I panicked but eventually did play.
>
> The irony is that when I attended Buckeye, I was asked to play in 2003,
> 2005, 2007, and was scheduled for 2009 until the death of Jack Ely. On each
> occasion I had a backup trio or quartet. Last year (2011) I was again asked
> by Mr. Davies if I was ready to play an evening slot. I declined, citing
> that it was time for the youngsters to have a shot. And by youngsters I
> mean 46 year olds, 31 year old, 21 year old, and 14 year olds. After all,
> 21 years have gone by, I just turned 70, and I have lost my verve.
>
> I play every week (sometimes twice a week), so I don't have 'harmonica
> tourettes', don't have a pressing NEED to play, and an quite satisfied
> going for the camaraderie. In fact, lately when I am in a group situation
> and someone younger wants to play at the same time I was going to play, I
> will back off and let them play. Cause that's the kind of guy I am. Over
> the years I have known of some fairly decent players showing up at Spah and
> never getting a chance to play. This has to stop. I have also noticed that
> some people get to play every year.
>
> If Spah expects people to keep showing up and supporting the organization,
> they need to pay more attention. Or they are going to loose both real AND
> potential members. Now I realize that there are a lot of people who are or
> are attempting TO make a living at this harmonica thing, and I have no
> problem with that. But some sort of happy medium has to be attained.
>
> Sorry, that's the way I see it.
>
> smokey-joe
>
>
> >
> >
> > Bob Cohen
> > Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> > w: bobjcohen.com
> > t: #itsabobworld
> >
> >
>
>
>