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DATE: Fri, 15 Apr 1994 01:27:24 CDT
From: Winslow Yerxa <76450.32~ompuServe.COM>
Subject: SPAH Convention Update


Had a chat this afternoon with Bob Williams, new vice president
of SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the
Harmonica, and he told me some details about the upcoming SPAH
convention in Memphis this July. More could be added, but here is
what's known so far:

For starters, Charlie Musselwhite will be a featured performer,
and may also teach some classes.

Charlie McCoy may - that's MAY - stop by and say hello, his
schedule permitting.

As the festival will be in Memphis and not the traditional
midwestern venues, Peter "Madcat" Ruth will not be around to host
the Blues Jam (whether he will attend anyway is not known), an
open mike session where all comers can sign up and get up to play
one number, with a backing group provided. The Jam will be hosted
instead by Joyce Cobb, a Memphis club owner and local celebrity,
who also plays harmonica. Instead of being held indoors, the Jam
may be held in a tent in downtown Memphis as part of the Memphis
Music & Heritage Festival, which runs concurrently with the SPAH
Convention.

There will be a group calling itseld "The Classics," consisting
of Jerry Murad (the Harmonicats), Stan Harper, Charlie Leighton,
Fuzzy Feldman, Pete Pedersen and possibly Alan "Blackie"
Schackner. With the exception of Murad (and maybe Blackie, I'm
not sure), these players have all been members of the legendary
Borrah Minnevich's Harmonica Rascals, and will both perform and
give a storytelling seminar for devotees of the golden age of
harmonica bands.

Even if you're not into harmonica bands, you shouldn't miss these
guys. Each one of them is an important contributor to the art of
the chromatic and is a helluva musician. You could learn
something, Jack.

Also performing will be veteran solo chromatic artist Danny
Welton, and nine-year old Kansas-based blues artist Brody Buster.

No word on seminars yet, but I've offered to teach two, one on
diatonic and one on chromatic. The diatonic one will be on
integrating your sound on diatonic- to get consistent tone,
vibrato and articulation even when using bends and overblows, and
when dealing with the "squawky" parts of the harp. The chromatic
one will be something to do with blues chromatic and possibly
jazz - I'm still thinking about it.

SPAH has a bit of a reputation as an irrelavent old fogey's club
that offers nothing to younger players but a bad attitude. Should
you spend your hard earned money and vacation time on this?

If you'd dig TOTAL IMMERSION in harmonica players, YES.

If you are open to experiencing other playing styles, YES.

If you want to meet other players face to face, from around the
country and around the world, YES.

If you'd like to buy harps, accessories and rare recordings at
discount prices, and meet the sellers and see their wares
directly, YES.

SPAH used to deserve its reputation, but it's come a considerable
distance in the last two years, and is a unique and valuable
resource.

For more information, contact SPAH, PO BOX 865, TROY MI 48099-865