SmokyMountain Blues Society

Meeting Minutes

5/15/11

The meeting was held at the home of Robert Higginbotham.

A quorum was established. The meeting began at approximately 1:00 p.m.

7 people attended. 6 board members were present, Polly Doka was absent.

2011 Election of Board Members. The slots for Steve Michel, Randy Ross, and Sharon Kniffin are up for re-election. Sharon wishes to come off and will not seek re-election. The only non-board member that has expressed interest in running so far is Tom Hurwitz.

The Election Meeting will be held on June 19^th, at 1 p.m. at the Tennessee Riverboat Facility, prior to the Fathers Day Cruise (which begins boarding at 2 p.m.)

Still searching for a place to have regular meetings and couple them with an acoustic jam open to people under 21. After much discussion it was suggested to decouple these two events and pursue separate venues for both activities.

Treasurer’s Report – we have $3773 in the bank prior to adding monies from the Riverboat ($1,091). Our Annual Tax Form 990 has been filed so we are current with the IRS.

Mike Feeback also renewed our P.O. Box address as he did last year. Thank you Mike!

We had previously committed to donate $100 to the Leo Schmeid Benefit show at Brackins. Higginbotham will handle getting the check to him.

Nolichucky Blues Festival – our goal to sell 200 tickets in advance to ensure breaking even. Tickets are are available for $20 through ticket master, or $15 through the Society. Event is BYOB, camping is available. Diane Michel will be getting the actual tickets soon. All members are encouraged to get the word out on this show ! Nolichucky has the liability insurance in place for the event.

During the Nolichucky festival there will be a Wine & Cheese tasting tent for separate $25 admission with acoustic music and silent auction. We get the profits from this event.

Blue Mother Tupelo Cruise – 137 tickets sold, raffles and other sales brought in another $130.

Diane had post cards printed for the Blues Cruise Series. These were distributed to attendees to put out around town.

We need to get the word out about the Elm Street Blues Band Cruise. Advance ticket sales are very slow for this show.

The Society can have a table at the upcoming Atomic City Blues Festival in Oak Ridge on Saturday, June 11^th. Smokin’ Section, Avenue C, and headliners Slow Blind Hill are on the bill. Candice Eagle has volunteered to man the table. Anyone else who is interested would be welcome.

Larry Garner show tentatively sheduled for Thursday, August 25^th. We run and get the door. This show was approved unanimously.

IBC competition – Randy is talking to Brackins about hosting again this year. Tentative plan is to hold competition in August on Tuesday(s) and Thursday(s). We need to get the word out to local bands and get them lined up. Again there will be a $25 entry fee per act and a requirement that at least one member is a Blues Society member.

We still do not have a good press kit. Pat Thompson provided an excellent template for one, but no further progress has been made on this. This is especially important in securing sponsors for events

It is time for the majority of members to renew their memberships. Higginbotham and Tom Hurwitz will handle.

The next meeting will be the election meeting on June 19^th at the Tennessee Riverboat Facility on Neyland Drive in Knoxville at 1 p.m.