BLUES SOCIETY PRESIDENTS LETTER #6-2020
Hello Blues Magoos! So far this has been the most remarkable year in which there have been almost no public musical events since the onslaught of you-know-what. There have been many on-line events though. We hope you have been following them and supporting the musicians. There are some live events that are starting to open up around Greene County and around. For instance, your BLUES SOCIETY is sticking its toes out this coming Sunday. It will be our first second Sunday Blues Jam since March. It will be at the Shuffle with a new earlier time of 2 P.M. till 5 P.M. Please note there will be a bit of limited capacity due to Social Distancing rules so everyone who attends will need to make a reservation. Please message the Shuffle FB page if you would like to make a reservation. Those without a reservation will be subject to space availability as people come and go. Please be prepared to be respectful to the guidelines the Shuffle needs us all to follow so they may stay open.
We are hoping everyone enjoyed our first expanded news letter last month. We were thrilled to get it out and we will be producing one every other month. Naturally, we are looking for articles/features for the next issue in August. Contact Mike Fisher – Newsletter editor.
INTERNATIONAL BLUES COMPETITION
Our International Blues Competition has been moved back from June to September 13, 2020. So we will be having the Sunday Jam instead • This event will be at the Shuffle at 2 P.M. • Call for entries has gone out with 0 responses as of this writing. We would like to encourage Bands and Solo/Duos to contact Joy Hubbs or Mary Certain for the entry form.
SUMMER SPECIAL EVENT #1
We are busting out and planning to have a music party and jam for the JULY SOCIAL. Saturday July 11th – Outdoor summer party Chamberjam 2020 – this event will be held at 3223 E. Farm Road 34 Fair Grove. This music party is the 14th annual Chamberlain family summer party, at Joel Chamberlain and Mary Certain’s home in the shady Oak woods near Fair Grove. This summertime out door event features a band with an open jam and a variety of musical artists. There is lots of room to camp over-night too. In years past there has been a big pot luck with entrees furnished by the host. Things are a bit more awkward this year with the food. We are still working on it, but for now we’re thinking about providing pre-packaged snacks and encouraging folks to bring their own picnic??
Uncle Buster Band starring George Hunt will be the featured kick-off artists. There is no charge for this afternoon/evening music event and it’s open to invited friends and the whole of the Blues Society. Let us know if you’re coming. A bunch of local musicians will be there to help with the jam. The event starts at 3, with pre-jam music. Uncle Buster starts at 5:30 plays until 7:00 with the jam to follow. There is lighted a pool too, so feel free to cool off as you will.
Please RSVP to Mary Certain 316-210-7720 or email at pepperchick2@gmail.com or check attending on the Face Book event thingy.
OTHER NEWS & EVENTS
We have new corporate sponsors – To Blond (family) Salon and RC Flea Market. Go by and check them out at 1031 West Kearney
Welcome new member Scott Ryan
The next BSO meeting will be Monday June 8th; 6:00 p.m. Please feel free to join us at the Shuffle.
Our Blues in the Schools mission continues on – It has been a stellar year for BIT’S! George and Bob have presented to over a dozen schools this year giving away 600 harmonicas, educating the youth and young at heart not only about blues history, but also learning tunes on the harmonica and song writing in some cases.
ABOUT LATEST NATIONAL NEWS – We of the Board of Directors of The Blues Society of the Ozarks have been feeling the pain of our Black brothers and sisters who have suffered under the sometimes prejudiced hands of public servants who haven’t exactly had their hearts and minds in the right place at all times. As an organization dedicated to the preservation and perpetuation of Blues Music, whose origins comes singularly from Black men and women’s experience in America, we stand firmly on the side of justice for George Floyd and every Black and Brown person who has been harassed and/or killed at the hands of the very people who have sworn an oath to protect and serve them. We stand in solidarity with the peaceful protesters around the world to demand justice and immediate change to the institutional racism that plagues this country. We encourage the Blues community to support the movement. The very music you love was birthed by the suffering of Black people under the weight of systematic racism in America. If you love the music…if you love the people who create it…speak out and let your voice be heard. Silence is compliance. • On a lighter side – Why was Pavlov’s hair so soft? He conditioned it.
I have a European friend of mine who I play chess with a lot. I call him my Czech mate.
I used to be in a band called the Hinges. We opened for the Doors.
I don’t know about you, but I have washed my hands so many times this last month that I found my Ninth Grade math answers.