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

 

        03/28/10 at Mulligans on Ebenezer Road. 

14 people attended the March Meeting.. 

Meeting started at 4:45 after a heartbreaking UT loss to end their season at the elite eight.

 

REMINDER - BLUES NIGHT OUT ON APRIL 24th AT CROWN & GOOSE W/LABRON LAZENBY

 

1) President's Report:

 

NOMINATIONS FOR FOUR DIRECTOR POSTS WILL BE ACCEPTED AT NEXT (APRIL) MEETING. ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD AT MAY MEETING.  NOMINATIONS ARE FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP ONLY. 

BOARD MEMBERS THEN APPOINT OFFICERS.

 

The terms of three directors - Dave Mills, Ron Keasler, and Charles LaLoggia have expired due to non-attendance at meetings. By unanimous vote these slots will not be replaced.  This reduces the size of the board of directors from 10 to 7. A quorum is two thirds, or 5 members.

 

The four directors whose terms expire in June are:

 

-  Mike Feeback (president)

-  Robert Higginbotham (secretary)

-  Johnnie Mack

-  Tim Spencer

 

All are eligible for nomination at the April Meeting

 

The remaining three directors whose terms expire in 2011 are:

 

-  Sharon Kniffin

-  Steve Michels

-  Randy Ross

 

All ten directors detailed above were included in the Society's successful application for a business license. 

Application fee was $20.

Mike Feeback will find out the cost of filing a "change" with the state to list the new directors after the May election. The next Annual Report is due to the State April of 2011.

 

2) Membership Report

 

Meeting Notices will now be printed in the Metropulse

 

Membership Levels

by unanimous vote the following membership levels were approved

 

-  Student (with i.d.)    $15/yr.

-  Military or veteran    $20/yr.

-  Individual             $25/yr.

-  Family                 $40/yr.  (defined as two or more members at

same address)

-  Corporate              $100/yr.  (receives posting on web page and

two tickets to one SMBS event of their choice)

 

Lifetime memberships in any of the above categories are ten times the annual amount.

 

Membership Renewals

Will be monthly.  Mike Feeback has the information.

 

Welcome new members

-  Smokey's Pub in Fountain City has joined as our first corporate member

-  Tony Smith, a veteran, joined at the meeting

 

Steve and Diane Michels "upgraded" their membership to family

 

3) Entertainment Report

 

2010 Blues Cruise dates have been established:

 

-  Dates are all Sunday Afternoons:

-  June 13th

-  July 11th

-  Sept. 12th

-  Oct. 24th

-  Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

NOTE:  Tickets can only be bought from the Riverboat Company 865-525-7827 or 800-509-2628 for ticket sales

-  Bands are currently TBD

-  Schedule is currently load in 5-6 (band to play once set up)

-  Cruise from 6-8

After discussion, Tim Spencer will try to change cruise times to earlier in the afternoon.

Cruise itself should be no cost

First 50 tickets sold go to Riverboat

Next 50 to the society, 50/50 split after that.

Riverboat may help pay for band based on ticket sales

Bands will be paid minimum + sliding scale based on ticket sales

 

IBC Competition

- July 31st Entry Deadline

- $25 entry fee per band

- one band member must be SMBS member to be eligible

- September 8th and 22nd initial competitions

- September 8th at Patrick Sullivans, September 22 may be at Brackins or Pat Sullivans

- October 13th - Finals Competition

 

Dumplin Valley Concert Series

- SMBS will partner with Mark Havely productions to present concert

- August 14th, Bands TBD

- Dumplin Valley Concerts are family friendly outdoor concerts on a farm in Dumplin Valley, near Dandridge.

 

Sarah Jordan Birthday celebration

- November 18th at Patrick Sullivans

- Diane will check with Michael Gill to ensure no conflict

- 50/50 split of funds raised to go to Interfaith Clinic

 

SMBS Christmas Party/IBC Fundraiser

- December 12th at Patrick Sullivans

- Winner of October 13th finals competition to perform.

 

Members are all encouraged to find sponsors for events. 

Sponsorships need to be coordinated with Entertainment Committee.  Tim Spencer is the contact.

 

4) Blues in the Schools (BITS), Community Outreach

 

- Higginbotham sent request to CSK Technologies to donate a laptop for use by BITS

- Diane is establishing "Blue Monday" for SMBS members/friends to play at The Ben Atchley State Vet Home

  Steve Michels & Paul McQuade have volunteered to do the first show.

  Date & Time will be posted on the web when available.

- Diane is looking for more volunteers to provide music. 

 

 

5) Miscellaneous

 

REMINDER - TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS YOU MUST BE A MEMBER.  EARLY RENEWALS GLADLY ACCEPTED.  BRING CHECKBOOK TO NEXT MEETING :) Your expiration date is available at http://www.smokymountainblues.org/Membership/Membership%20Listing_7_09.h

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There is approximately $400+ in SMBS account currently.

 

KMA Live after Five donated two tickets for the March Raffle Drawing. Johnnie Mack was this months' winner

 

The tip jar at the acoustic jam after the meeting collected $34 to go to Second Harvest Food Bank.

 

Mulligans is sponsoring an Acoustic Singer/Songwriter Contest with Grand Prize valued at $1500 For information and entry form go to http://www.jumpstartmusicgroup.com/

 

Next meeting will be held April 25th at Mulligans.  4 p.m. meeting, 5:30 acoustic jam

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Robert Higginbotham

Secretary

Smoky Mountain Blues Society

www.smokymountainblues.org