[Harp-L] SPAH

[Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx>]

   Interesting story that maybe shows that our organization still has a
ways to go doing outreach to harmonica players.  I was at the Chicago
Cultural Center in June to see the new BBC documentary on bluesman Big Bill
Broonzy.  Vocalist/harpist Billy Boy Arnold and Eric Noden were scheduled
to play half hour set of Broonzy tunes prior to the film.  I brought along
their new CD so I could get it autographed.  For those who don't know Billy
Boy Arnold, he is an important figure in Chicago blues.  Arnold took harp
lessons from Sonny Boy I, knew Big Bill Broonzy, and was Bo Diddley's
harpman.  He also composed several blues standards, including "I Wish You
Would" and "I Ain't Got You."  Even at 79, he is a repository of names,
dates, addresses, and anecdotes about the Chicago blues scene.  As well as
being a fine harp player with a bunch of critically acclaimed recordings.
   I caught both guys before their set and got autographs.  I asked Eric if
he was going to be at SPAH and he replied in the negative, explaining that
there had been some confusion about the dates and he had booked another
gig.  I glanced over to Billy and he looked thoroughly puzzled.  "What is
SPAH?," he asked.  He had never heard of it.  Shouldn't have surprised me,
over the years I've had to explain SPAH to a multitude of harpists....."you
know, there's this thing called SPAH: the Society for the Preservation and
Advancement of the Harmonica", etc.
   I don't know what the answer is; but I would guess there are a slew of
well-known and accomplished harmonica players who have no idea our
organization even exists.  In the case of Billy Boy Arnold, he has
been playing  65-plus years and was completely unaware of it.  I can tell
you that he seemed very interested, by the way.

Mick Zaklan