The February meeting of the Smoky Mountain Blues Society (SMBS) was held on

        02/28/10, 4 p.m. at Mulligans on Ebenezer Road. 

 

21 people attended the February Meeting.. 

 

Mike Feeback discussed the following

       2010 elections are coming soon,

                        Nominations need to be made at April Meeting

                        Vote at May Meeting

                        New Board seated at June Meeting

                        Original board made up of 10 folks – 5 with one year terms, 5 with two year terms

                        5 slots of 10 person board are up for election

                        all board members now will serve two year terms

                        society elects board members, board members select officers

            2010 Income Taxes for SMBS due on April 15th.  Mike is working this.

            501(c)3 status is still awaiting confirmation

           

Diane Michels accepted the job as interim head of membership committee

Diane discussed the following:

            Diane asked that everyone enlist one friend to become a member in the next month

            If we do this it will at least double our membership

            Asked that members solicit door prizes from area merchants to use at SMBS functions

            Facebook page which Diane set up now has 193 ‘fans’

            Nashville Blues Society, newly reformed, is offering ˝ price memberships to promote membership

 

Tim Spencer discussed the following from the Entertainment Committee

            Blues Cruises are being planned for this summer

            Committee still on track to produce 4 quarterly events this year.

            Solicitation for bands to enter next years IBC is starting now.  Tim will get materials to Higginbotham for posting on the website

           

Blues in the School committee –

            Has not met since society was formed to anyone’s knowledge.

 Higginbotham volunteered to head it, Spencer committed to help

 

Robert Higginbotham discussed the following –

            Now three weekly blues jams in Knoxville - 

                        Smokeys Pub in Fountain City headed by Steve Michels

                        Brickyard Barbeque in Powell headed by Mike James

                        Ricks Place (Downtown West) on Thursday nights headed by Jon Mason

 

It was pointed out that a 4th jam exists – monthly at Mulligans after the SMBS meetings

Rik’s Music now giving SMBS members 10% off.

Robert asked that members solicit other music stores in particular Broadway Sound and Pick ‘n Grin

Steve Michels volunteered to talk with Broadway Sound.

Motor City Josh will be at Brackins this coming Thursday, 3/4/10

Shawn Kellerman will be at Two Doors Down 2 weeeks later on 3/18/10


After discussion it was decided that the Blues Night Out will start this month

Friday, 3/5/10 at Smokeys Pub to support the BlueStone band.  .

Diane Michels will coordinate a membership table at the show.  Tim Spencer will donate a card table

 

Michael Gill discussed the  following

            He reminded us that Blues Society members receive a $3 discount at Live After Five Shows

            Hard Knox Blues Bash will take place June 5th in Worlds Fair Park.

            There are many volunteer positions that need to be filled.

            There will be one stage.  Entertainment includes Debbie Davies, Labron Lazenby, others

            ( full roster at www.bluegillzpond.com )

            Michael is now president of the newly formed Tennessee Valley Jazz and Blues Foundation

                        which is putting on the Hard Knox Blues Bash

 

Michael does not see the Foundation as competing with SMBS but rather looks forward to partnering as opportunities arise.

 

            Zak Harmon will be appearing at KMA for the 3/19 Live After Five.

 

Steve Michels announced that new banners have been ordered.

No one knows where the old banner went after being last seen at the SMBS Xmas Party

 

The next meeting will be held March 28th, 2010 at Mulligans.  4 p.m. with acoustic jam to follow at 5:30.

 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 5 p.m.

 

POST MEETING ACOUSTIC JAM TO BENEFIT HAITI RELEIF

 

The jam started a bit approximately 5:45

 

A few young players – the Harp Dogs from Bearden High School participated in a set led by Barry Faust.

 

There were three other sets.  The jam lasted until approximately 8:30

 

$70 was raised in the tip jar for Haiti relief. 

        Diane Michel and Higginbotham  verified with independent counts of the cash collected.

        Higginbotham will process the donation to the American Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.

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