[Harp-L] SPAH 2026

[JOSEPH LEONE]

Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, off the top of my head. Maybe Austin? You would be in the center of 3 ..I think? 
 
The leadership of spah over the years has done an almost unbelievable job of holding the orgnization together. Sometimes through rough spots and have my undying admiration. But as time marched on it became apparent that Texas & St. Louis would eventually take over the reins as the northern clubs have dwindled. 
 
And while 'I' always thought that the GEOGRAPHIC center of the country  (Missouri) would eventually prevail, the POPULATION center (Kansas) had a shot. Btw, both are in almost the same area..roughly . 
 
A shame that California, with a huge population seems to be a stepchild here. Of course, the music has also changed. Going from about 87.358% chromatic.bass/chord centric to 76.314% (and rising) diatonic. :)
And since I used to play both, as well as trumpet & clarinet, itsa maka a no diiferenza to me. 
 
Way back in the late 80s-early 90s I wanted to play all of them in Dixieland on one show and was flat out told:
"That's not what we're looking to acheive here, we feature harmonics". Oh well, such is life.
 
smo-joe   

> On 03/14/2026 7:23 PM EDT John Thaden <jjthaden at xxxxx> wrote:
>  
>  
> Texas has at least five? Tell me more!
> 
> - John Thaden
>   ublokr on Classic Harp-L
>   College Station, TX
> 
> - John Thaden
>    jjthaden at xxxxx
> 
> 
> > On Sat, Mar 14, 2026 at 5:53 PM, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L
> > <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > That's right Greg, There are now larger clubs in locales other than Mich. Texas has at least 5, St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa. Ohio, N.J., and Va. 'used' to have get togethers, but I don't think they are currently in operation.
> >  
> > One criteria that became evident was the need for food sources other than the host hotel.
> >  
> > And not to get off subject but a lot of MY friends weren't enthralled with the hotel in Romulus.
> > And also some of the older members felt that there were too many bands, guitars, singing, drums, and other stuff veering away from harmonica.
> > smo-joe 
> >  
> > > On 03/13/2026 8:38 PM EDT Greg Jones <greg at xxxxx mailto:greg at xxxxx> wrote:
> > > 
> > > 
> > > I don’t soeak for the SPAH leaders but the location seems to be determined by the availability of a local club who can supply volunteers to help run the convention.  Additionally, the availability of reasonably priced hotels factors in there as well.
> > > 
> > > 
> > >
> > >
> > > Greg Jones
> > > Seydel Sales & Service
> > > 
> > > Web Site http://1623customharmonicas.com
> > > Repairs https://www.1623customharmonicas.com/seydel-diatonic--chromatic-repair
> > > 
> > >
> > > On Fri, Mar 13, 2026 at 11:49 AM Bflat Blues <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> 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> 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>
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > 
>