[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

JERRY DEALL jdeall@xxxxx
Wed Apr 8 12:26:06 EDT 2026 

Mike,
I miss seeing you at SPAH and I have attended several of your seminars at SPAH's past. We would love to see you back.
You can fill out the seminar form here:
https://airtable.com/appTVpo8fqFTqdYpN/shrKy51Ox5O1wjOzd
 
Any questions can go to: SPAHseminars at xxxxx mailto:SPAHseminars at xxxxx
Or feel free to contact me at anytime.
 
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 04/08/2026 8:55 AM MDT Mike Fugazzi <harpninjamike at xxxxx> wrote:
>  
>  
> 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 mailto: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 mailto: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 mailto: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
> > >mailto: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
> > >mailto: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 mailto: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 mailto: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
> > >> >
> > >>
> > 
>

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