Blues Society Accomplishments March 2009 to November 2010

1. Established Corporate Structure (boring but necessary stuff)

· Charter & By-laws finalized

· P.O. Box, Bank Account set up

· Recognized by the State of Tennessee as a non-profit corporation

· Recognized as 501(c)3 non-profit corporation by the Federal Government

· Website and electronic mailing lists implemented

2  Sponsored Events

· Produced Larry McCray, Lil’ Ed, Nick Moss shows at Brackins

· Shrimp Boil at Baker Peters featuring local acts

· Christmas Party at Brackins featuring local acts

· International Blues Challenge (IBC) Competition

· SMBS sent Labron Lazenby and LA3 to IBC in Memphis where they made it to finals!

· Held Monthly Acoustic Blues Jams encouraging "under 21" players to participate at Mulligans

· 2010 Summer Blues Cruise Series – 4 Cruises featuring local acts

· 2011 Summer Series to expand to 8 Cruises

3.  Community Support

· Christmas Party raised $330 for the Food Connection, also many boxes of canned goods were collected for a local food bank

· Acoustic Jams at Mulligans raised hundreds of dollars in the tip jar which have gone to support Haiti Relief, and Second Harvest Food Bank

· Our Blues in the School Program partnered with the Tribe One Freedom School in Knoxville to teach the history of the blues to approximately 60 children grades 3-8 this summer. Discussions are underway to be part of their upcoming After School Program. Also looking into partnering with Blount County schools.

· Providing a blues night at Ben Atchley Veterans Hospital - a local Veterans Hospital

· SMBS is a proud sponsor of the Johnnie Mack Blues Attack on WDVX

· Sara Jordan Birthday bash raised $1100 for Interfaith Health Clinic in Knoxville

· Active support of the three local blues jams in the area -
Patrick Sullivans(Knoxville), Pauls Oasis (Knoxville), Brackins (Maryville)

4.  Miscellaneous

· Maintain our affiliate membership in the Blues Foundation

· Established discounts for members at local merchants (Riks Music, Brackins, Smokey's Pub, others - see listing on website)

· Meetings held monthly in Blount and Knox County locations

A great deal has been accomplished since we held our first exploratory meeting at Brackins on March 2, 2009.  Approximately 25 people came to that meeting.  Our current membership has grown to over 90 individuals, families and three corporate sponsors.