Smoky Mountain Blues Society

Meeting Minutes August 28, 2011

The Meeting was held at the Parlor in Knoxville

12 people were in attendance

A quorum was established.

Mike Feeback has resigned from the Board

Katie Martin of Nolichucky Vineyard was nominated to the board and approved. One member voted against the nomination because we have not received resignation in writing, although it has been received verbally by three board members.

Robert Higginbotham will take over the treasurer duties for the time being with the stipulation that an accountant be hired to do keep up with tax filing (this stipulation was sent to board members via email and was not mentioned at the meeting).

Randy reported that the Larry Garner show took in $588 + one sponsor of $100. The society made $88 profit on the show + took in a few new members and renewals.

Diane reported that the Labron cruise was a success. 122 tickets were sold. The net to the society in between ticket, t-shirt, and raffle sales was $876.

Tom Hurwitz will have a membership table set up at the Shed for the Kentucky Headhunters show on 9/3/11 to publicize the upcoming all day blues festival there on September 10^th.

Diane urged that everyone use all avenues available to get as many people as possible to the Shed for the festival on Saturday and to Brackins for the Friday show. Judging by advance sales the Jenna Cruise on Sunday 9/11 should do well and does not need as much help as the other events.

There was discussion about where to spread the word. Diane has the Facebook avenue covered. Polly Doka is sending out press releases. It was suggested that we also put notices on Craigs List. Higginbotham committed to look into it.

Polly Doka asked for a listing of all SMBS events between now and the end of the year. Randy recited them. Higginbotham committed to send them to Polly in writing (this has since been done – list is at end of these minutes).

Greg Mangan talked to the attendees about the "Bluzin in the Valley" show that he is putting on in Powell on September 24^th. Featured artists are E.G. Knight, Lightnin’ Charlie and the Upsetters, and Knoxvilles’ own Slow Blind Hill. Austin Crum will also perform. We agreed to help publicize the show and put a link to it on the Blues Society website. We agreed that we couldn’t sponsor the event because we have frozen any unnecessary spending pending the 9/10 Blues Festival.

Randy reported that this years IBC competition will be held at Brackins on Tuesday 10/18 & Thursday 10/20 with finals on Sunday 10/23. We will entertain entries in all allowable categories, which include Band, Solo/Duo, Youth, and self produced CD.

Other details were discussed and agreed to:

Participation fee is $30.

Deadline to enter is 10/1/11

At least one member of band, solo/duo, etc. be a member of the Smoky Mountain Blues Society

Winner commits to play at SMBS Christmas Party and at one fundraiser show put on by the society.

Society will do as we have done in the past by helping defray costs through fund raiser and other efforts but the cost of the trip ultimately falls on the representatives that go to Memphis.

We may have multiple entries this year in which case whatever monies the society puts up to help defray costs will be split evenly between the representatives.

Judges will be vetted and trained this year.

If there is only one entrant in any given category then the submission will still be reviewed to ensure we are represented well at the IBC.

We will post links to any forms bands need to fill out on our website.

The meeting ended at approximately 6 p.m. No musicians showed up so the after meeting jam was cancelled.

The next meeting will be held Sunday October 2^nd at the Parlor with a 6 p.m. acoustic jam to follow.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert Higginbotham

Secretary

Smoky Mountain Blues Society

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Listing of SMBS shows scheduled between now and the end of the year follows:

Friday, September 9th · 7:30-1

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

Acoustic Blues with the TerraPlane Drifters starting at 7:30

Mac Arnold and Plate full O' Blues on at 9 p.m.

$5 Early Bird Admission from 7-8:30

$8 for SMBS members, $10 for non-members from 8:30 on

Main room will be non-smoking

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Saturday, September 10 · 2:00pm - 11:30pm

Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson Shed

Route 321, Maryville TN

Line up includes:

A Blues in the School Presentation

a short history of the blues

presented by Doug Harris and Robert Higginbotham

Austin Crum - local 12 yr old Guitar Sensation!!

Bluestone featuring Steve & Danny Lee Michel

The DetroitDaddies with Michael Crawley and Detroit Dave

Labron Lazenby & LA3

JOHN PRIMER Headlining

John has played with Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Magic Slim!

John began playing guitar in Chicago in 1974

He joined the Chicago Blues All-Stars with Willie Dixon in 1979

He played with the Muddy Waters's band until the latter's death in 1983

Then he joined the Teardrops with Magic Slim and began a solo career on Wolf Records

.In 1995 he released, The Real Deal, showing the influence on him of both Dixon and Slim.

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Sunday, September 11 · 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Blues Cruise on the Star of Knoxville

with Jenna and Her Cool Friends

To purchase Blues Cruise Tickets call the Tennessee Riverboat Company a 865-525-7827 or 800-509-2628.

Online purchases go to www.tnriverboat.com. Tickets are $17.00 day of show and $12.00 in advance

The Star of Knoxville Riverboat is docked on the Tennessee River on Volunteer Landing next to Calhouns:

300 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902

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Thursday, September 29th

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

2009 International Blues Competition (IBC) Winner J.P. Soars at 9 p.m.

$8 for SMBS members, $10 for non-members from 8:30 on

Main room will be non-smoking

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Sunday, October 9th · 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Blues Cruise on the Star of Knoxville

with Geoff Trabalka and the West Side Cats

a great local blues band based in Oak Ridge

with over a decade of playing experience

To purchase Blues Cruise Tickets call the Tennessee Riverboat Company a 865-525-7827 or 800-509-2628.

Online purchases go to www.tnriverboat.com. Tickets are $17.00 day of show and $12.00 in advance

The Star of Knoxville Riverboat is docked on the Tennessee River on Volunteer Landing next to Calhouns:

300 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902

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Tuesday, October 18th 8 p.m.

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

Round One of the Bands Competion to send a local band to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Competition (IBC)

Band fee is $30 to enter competition.

At least one band member must be SMBS member

Competitions for following categories:

1. Full Band 2. Solo/Duo Act 3. Youth Band 4. Self Produced CD

Winner(s) agree(s) to play at SMBS Christmas Party and put on at least one fund raising show

Complete rules available at the Blues Foundation website www.blues.org

$5 door charge, $3 for SMBS members

monies collected will go toward defraying cost of sending band(s) to Memphis

Main room will be non-smoking

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Thursday, October 20th 8 p.m.

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

Round Two of the Bands Competion to send a local band to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Competition (IBC)

Band fee is $30 to enter competition.

At least one band member must be SMBS member

Competitions for following categories:

1. Full Band 2. Solo/Duo Act 3. Youth Band 4. Self Produced CD

Winner(s) agree(s) to play at SMBS Christmas Party and put on at least one fund raising show

Complete rules available at the Blues Foundation website www.blues.org

$5 door charge, $3 for SMBS members

monies collected will go toward defraying cost of sending band(s) to Memphis

Main room will be non-smoking

Sunday, October 23rd 5 p.m.

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

Finals of the Bands Competion to send a local band to Memphis to compete in the International Blues Competition (IBC)

$5 door charge, $3 for SMBS members

monies collected will go toward defraying cost of sending band(s) to Memphis

Main room will be non-smoking

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Saturday, October 29th

Brackins Blues Club in Maryville

Blues Great R.J. Mischo backed by Brackins Blues Jam Host Band Smokin' Section at 9 p.m.

$8 for SMBS members, $10 for non-members from 8:30 on

Main room will be non-smoking

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Sunday, October 30th · 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Blues Cruise on the Star of Knoxville

Blues Great R.J. Mischo backed by Brackins Blues Jam Host Band Smokin' Section

Final Cruise of the 2011 Blues Cruise Season

To purchase Blues Cruise Tickets call the Tennessee Riverboat Company a 865-525-7827 or 800-509-2628.

Online purchases go to www.tnriverboat.com. Tickets are $17.00 day of show and $12.00 in advance

The Star of Knoxville Riverboat is docked on the Tennessee River on Volunteer Landing next to Calhouns:

300 Neyland Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902

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November 15th or 17th - Annual Sara Jordan show to benefit Interfaith Health Clinic

more information tba as available

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December 17th - Annual Christmas Party to benefit local Food Banks

more information tba as available