Re: [Harp-L] Spah 2014 Blow Off

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Actually, the Blowoff was already going in 1992 when I first started going to SPAH conventions. Back then it was organized and hosted by Madcat, and the old guard was happy to keep diatonic and blues as far away from them as possible, while blues devotees felt more comfortable in a nightclub environment.

Over the years the Blowoff has been organized by different individuals: Jason Ricci for several years, then Mike Fugazzi in Minneapolis, Rob Roy Parnell in Texas, and, for the last couple of years, Chris Richards. Having an independent party do it means less organizational workload  for SPAH's already stretched volunteers, not to mention the financial risks. An independent producer also has a freer hand in structuring the event, as he has no-one to report to.

So far it's worked well.

 
Winslow Yerxa
President, SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica
Producer, the Harmonica Collective
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool Community Music School


________________________________
 From: Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2014 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Spah 2014 Blow Off
 

Spah actually does embrace the blow off. I believe it all started in the late 90s. Several illuminaries have hosted it. Including the great Paul DeLay.  It was tried AT the host hotels but the volume was too high. Especially the bass. It seems that many of the meeting places and/bars at the host hotels have what we call in the business LIVE ceilings and walls. Not really conducive to good sound transmissions. No, it didn't work very well. As I recall. 

So the venue was moved "off shore". And as far as officially recognizing? I think spah's resources are already stretched. 

The facts are that when people came to spah and arrived Tuesday, it was usually (I said usually) because they were older people. And they were making a vacation of it. And looked forward to it all year, and planned for it. There were also a lot of people whom didn't arrive till Wednesday. 

Now the spah fest officially opens Tuesday night, and was never really packed unTIL the blow offs started. These actually attracted a raft of younger attendees. Attendees whom may not have been there otherwise. But they came in early beCAUSE of the blow offs. The blow offs even attracted older players whom play BOTH chromatic and diatonic. Like myself.
Like Scotty. Like so many others. 


I don't really think that the blow offs siphoned many people away from the 'standard' activities. Because the attendees were there early 'just' to not miss this great event. AND, a lot of people DO stay at the hotel during that event. Usually older folks who aren't as interested in blues 'type' muic..but more into Glen Miller. lolol. I used to open the open mic sessions at the hotel with ex vice pres. Herb Eck, and the omni present Marv Monroe. I would then sneak away to the blow off. Usually having to endure a mighty wild ride. lolol.

I always had a super experience.  

smokey-joe (who once told Humpty Dumpty: "I wouldn't sit on that wall if I were you",) Yes, he is the most unusual character you will ever meet. lolol

On Jul 30, 2014, at 12:46 PM, Bob Cohen wrote:

> 
> On Jul 29, 2014, at 11:47 AM, Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
>> To my mind, and this is just personal, this event is a 'not to be missed' opportunity. Desert beFORE  dinner, so to speak.  



> 
> It would be nice if SPAH finally officially embraced the Blow Off. This is always a popular and well attended event and as I recall from my days in SPAH leadership drew bodies away from some of the official doings. Surely we can get a bigger tent. :-)
> 
> -Bob
> 
> Bob Cohen
> Writer, Internet Consultant, Teacher
> w: bobjcohen.com
> t: #itsabobworld
> 
>