[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

Wed Apr 8 10:55:56 EDT 2026

I haven't been to SPAH for several years - I was fortunate to do some
teaching sessions and even perform at one of the blow offs.  I am seriously
considering going this year.  I miss my harmonica friends and since
becoming an active performer again, I would really like to resume
presenting large groups about things like playing rock music, improvising,
and gear (I am actually an educator by trade).  As much as I like teaching,
I prefer the seminar format to individual lessons.

*If anyone is interested in collaborating this year, please message me!*
For those who don't know me, I am really active on Facebook
<https://www.facebook.com/mikefugazzimusic> and YouTube
<https://www.youtube.com/@therealspookymike>.  I am primarily a rock
harmonica player - have played on stage with John Popper and Blues
Traveler, Jason Ricci...was a Hohner Artist for a long time and have been
working most recently with Lee Oskar Harmonicas.  Right now I play
regularly in an acoustic duo.

Hope to see a bunch of you in August!

Mike

On Sat, Mar 28, 2026 at 10:49 AM Jerry via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:

> The math as Joe says is $80,000/400 attendees/ 4 days of the convention,
> means every attendees would need to spend $50/day at the hotel over the 4
> days on food and beverages.
>
> ⁣Regards,  Jerry Deall, SPAH President, Put August 11-15, 2026 on your
> calendar for SPAH 2026 at the Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis MO
>
> On Mar 27, 2026, 5:56 PM, at 5:56 PM, JOSEPH LEONE <3n037 at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >They would want you to cover the 'underage'. Which is a ridiculous
> >figure. Why? Because IF the hotel had decent food at less than Taj
> >Mahal price, they wouldn't have to sweat it. As it twere, a ton of
> >attendees want other choices in food. Not everyone can eat at
> >Ruth-Chris prices. Tulsa wasn't good as far as food prep. and the
> >service was not only slow but unattentive. Fortunately there were other
> >choices nearby.
> >
> >The Westport Chalet (fortunately) isn't one of those questionable
> >places. They aren't too bad.
> >Been there a few times. I liked the entire experience. If the wife
> >wasn't in the home, I would go.
> >
> >As for drinks, some hotels have hassled people walking around with a
> >drink in hand. Questioning as to whether it came from their bar?
> >Romulus Mich. was good for that one.
> >
> >Attendees number? Probably between 330 and 430.
> >
> >Ok, my opinion only. One would think that some of these areas, which
> >aren't exactly rolling in dough from the NON plethora of visitors they
> >don't get, and in a slow economy, they would be a bit more amenable to
> >'let's make a deal'.
> >
> >smo-joe (Chuck Noris tried his best to knock me out of #1 position.
> >Unfortunately he ran out of time.)
> >
> >> On 03/27/2026 7:27 PM EDT Bflat Blues <kham27 at xxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> $80,000 food and beverage deal. Is that a guarantee that they will
> >sell $80,000 in food that you have to front if they don't? How many
> >people attend usually?
> >>
> >> Kevin
> >>
> >> On Mon, 16 Mar 2026 at 16:44, Jerry Deall <jdeall at xxxxx
> >mailto:jdeall at xxxxx> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Folks,
> >> > This is one of my favorite topics: where to hold the SPAH
> >convention. Let me tell you it is not that simple
> >> > Here's the short list:
> >> > 1. Find a Host Club or blues society and provide a point person
> >> >   Solicit and manage the Convention Volunteer pool
> >> >   Typically about 30-35 volunteers worked, many of whom worked
> >multiple four-hour shifts. Some only worked half a day or an evening.
> >> >   Organize and host 2 Tours scheduled for Thursday and Friday
> >> >   Host the SPAH Hospitality Room
> >> > 2. Identify host hotels for SPAH to consider for the convention
> >> >   We need close to 300 rooms and 16,000 square feet of convention
> >space
> >> >   Rooms less than $200 (not easy to find these days, and discounted
> >staff rooms
> >> >   Ball room for 400 was too small; last year's venue in San Antonio
> >was inadequate.
> >> >   Reasonably priced dining nearby.
> >> >   Easy airport access.
> >> >   Reasonable F&B (Food & Beverage) minimums (more on this below).
> >> >
> >> > Some may remember that when COVID hit, we were supposed to be in
> >Charlotte, but that was, of course, cancelled.
> >> > When we went back to rebook for a later year management had
> >changed. Previously they required a $15,000–$20,000 F&B minimum, which
> >we can handle. Now Charlotte and many other hotels require an $80,000
> >to $100,000 F&B minimum.
> >> >
> >> > That being said we (I) welcome all suggestions for new locations.
> >Just let me know.
> >> >
> >> > Regards,  Jerry Deall, SPAH President,
> >> > Put August 11-15, 2026 on your calendar for SPAH 2026 at the
> >Sheraton Westport Chalet in St. Louis MO
> >> > .
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 7:08 AM Bflat Blues <kham27 at xxxxx
> >mailto:kham27 at xxxxx> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > > Its 100% true. I love the informal learning that happens in
> >between
> >> > > sessions (not to take away from the sessions themselves). It also
> >happens
> >> > > when jamming with folks.The cream on top is meeting others with
> >the same
> >> > > passion and making life long friendships. Right foot in, right
> >foot out,
> >> > > that's what its all about!
> >> > >
> >> > > Unfortunately its always too far for me which is why I've been
> >organizing
> >> > > my own retreats.
> >> > >
> >> > > If SPAH could ever be hosted closer to east coast or a little
> >more north
> >> > > like Chicago, New York, Philidelphia, Boston etc I'd be in. Seems
> >to be
> >> > > always hosted in the midwest or south for whatever reason. Not
> >complaining,
> >> > > just suggesting a slight geography shift!
> >> > >
> >> > > Cheers.
> >> > >
> >> > > Kevin
> >> > > My two cents.
> >> > >
> >> > > On Tue, 10 Mar 2026 at 21:36, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L
> ><harp-l at xxxxx mailto:harp-l at xxxxx>
> >> > > wrote:
> >> > >
> >> > > > I can dig it. Yeah, face to face with Greg Jones. It don't get
> >no better.
> >> > > > smo-joe
> >> > > >
> >> > > > > On 03/10/2026 9:10 AM EDT Greg Jones
> ><greg at xxxxx mailto:greg at xxxxx>
> >> > > > wrote:
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > A big shout out to the SPAH team.
> >> > > > > They have done a great job streamlining registration and
> >membership
> >> > > > matters
> >> > > > > on the web site.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > SPAH 2025 was amazing and I expect SPAH 2026 to be even
> >better.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > If you haven't attended, strongly consider it.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > In our internet driven world, we deprive ourselves of 1-on-1
> >human
> >> > > > > interaction. Once you attend SPAH, you realize how nice it is
> >to actually
> >> > > > > talk to friends fact-to-face about your passion.
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Hope to see you there!
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Greg
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > *Greg Jones*
> >> > > > > *Seydel Sales & Service*
> >> > > > >
> >> > > > > Web Site <http://1623customharmonicas.com>
> >> > > > > Repairs
> >> > > > >
> ><https://www.1623customharmonicas.com/seydel-diatonic--chromatic-repair>
> >> > > >
> >> > >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > --
> >> > Regards Jerry
> >> >
> >>
>