Re: [Harp-L] SPAH

[Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here's a idea. Form an outreach committee to identify and invite the most highly accomplished players of our instrument to join, free of charge. Flip them convention passes and maybe they'll show up.  This is something Warren and I talked about when we ran for SPAH leadership. 

Bob Cohen
------------------------
Writer, Teacher, Internet Consultant
w: bobjcohen.com
t: #itsabobworld

> On Aug 2, 2014, at 11:57 AM, Mick Zaklan <mzaklan@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>   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