BLUES SOCIETY PRESIDENTS LETTER #3-2020
Better late than never I always say! Sometimes things just happen that knock a person right off schedule and that’s me this month. That doesn’t mean we’re not getting things done though. We want everyone to get their hands on the new BSO 6-month colored glossy look-ahead flyer of Monthly Socials. It was just published this week and will be available at this Sunday’s jam session at the Shuffle and anywhere else we can leave them. Pick one up and tape it to your refrigerator so you can keep track of each month’s Blues happening. If you can’t find one, we’ll get you one. Speaking of Jams at the Shuffle, February’s jam was the one-year anniversary that BSO has been having Sunday jams. These monthly Sunday events have been a real blast – so much fun and good music. We counted just shy of a 100 person turn-out in February. Isn’t that crazy? Believe us this an awesome blues happening for Springfield and there are a lot of friends to be seen and made. The March jam will be on the 8th (this Sunday!) 3 pm to 5:30 pm at the Shuffle.
In other exciting news, the BSO board of directors with the help of Member Mike Fisher and the erstwhile Bluesletter Committee are working on the production of a new newsletter. This is something we have wanted to get going for 3 years and finally have it underway. This will be a multi-page newsletter published every other month with photos, articles, interviews, CD reviews and more. In-between we will issue the President’s letter (like this one) to keep ya’ll informed. Expect to see it in your email box in April. We need people to contribute articles for the newsletter. If you are so inclined to help, please contact Mary Certain 316-210-7720
MEMBERSHIP MONTH
Thanks for all of you who have sent your dues in already. Your dues help the BSO keep the blues alive and our hardworking organization up and running. If you haven’t sent your dues in yet, please return your application with your dues at your earliest convenience. Please encourage others to join the BSO. We are now including a BSO T-shirt with each new membership.– what more could a Blues fan want?
MONTHLY SOCIAL
Our next social event of the quarter will be on March 14rd at “Carries Bar” featuring the Brenda Meyers Band. It is also Brenda Meyers birthday, a cake and some snacks will be happening…A guaranteed good time from a fabulous band. . Check the calendar on our Face Book page for other fabulous blues bands and musicians that will be in our area this month
OTHER NEWS & EVENTS
. • The next BSO meeting will be Monday March 9th at 6 p.m. will be the third Board of Directors and general membership meeting of 2020. Please feel free to join us at the Shuffle.
• Reminder - Calendar of Music Events – You can find Thursday thru Monday music activities around town on the Blues Society Face book page under events.
• Neil Baker and committee is planning for the 2020 International Blues Challenge event that will be here in Springfield on June 14th 1pm at the Shuffle to select our local band and solo/duo for the 2021 Memphis, Tennessee finals. More information on this premier event to follow soon.
• Our Blues in the Schools events are cookin’ here in 2020 – George Hunt and Bob Bledsoe are just finishing up at the Disney School. They invited the BSO Board Members in to watch their program in February. Joel Chamberlain and Mary Certain took advantage and got to watch the Bluesmen in action. The music class of 5th graders learned harmonica basics and a couple of songs. This is a great program the BSO does for children, education, and keeping the blues alive.
• 2020 Guitar Raffle - We have our tickets printed for our 4th Annual Fender Telecaster raffle sponsored by Fender Guitars and Springfield Music to raise money to pay musicians to teach kids for Blues in the Schools program. Tickets are $10.00 av at Springfield Music or at some of our events. Drawing will be on or before 12/13, date of the Jingle the Blues Away.
• Springfield Music also donated a Sonny Terry Heritage Addition Harmonica. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at Springfield Music or at the monthly Blues Jams, Drawing will be held on May 10th, winner will also receive a free Harmonica lesson from George Hunt. All Proceeds benefit the Blues in the Schools program.
• Don’t forget to tune in to KWPQ FM 103.3 for the best in Blues and Jazz.
• If you want to get in touch with Mary Certain, Chapter President, call 316-210-7720 or email at ozarksblues@gmail.com. Remember - everything is decided by people who participate.