Houston Blues Society :: ~~~From the Prez~~~

June 30, 2010

I am preparing the way for the new incoming board of directors and will have a final Letter from the Prez in the near future. lk

June 21, 2010

I would like to thank the Board of Directors, the Advisory Board, KPFT, Tom McLendon and all the great people in the Houston Blues Community who supported me and HBS during my year as President.

With the tremendous help of our intern, Ryan Belli, the HBS office is in much better shape now. Archiving the memorabilia was not accomplished but the items are collected in one place and ready for display when the time comes. With perseverance from Don Derouin, Colin King and Jomonica Phoenix, the Artery Series was mastered into a set of DVDs, which are ready for further editing into a compilation release. And, many thanks to Boyd Bluestein; the T-99 Scholarship will be awarded to the first student recipient and plans will be underway for a fundraising event to support this very worthwhile project.

We have a great slate of candidates for the upcoming year and I have every confidence in their ability to move the organization forward, to accomplish their own goals and maintain the routine tasks. It is alot of work, Folks. I will spend whatever time is necessary to train the new group on how to update and manage the website, to send out our Blues eBlast, and manage all the stuff it takes, in the background, to Keep the Blues Alive in Houston via YOUR Blues Society. Without our members, it will not happen so, thank you all too, very very much for your support, membership, donations, attendance at events and good cheer.

I will admit that I fizzled out a bit after returning from the IBCs in Memphis. We really had a ball and I thank my Vice-President, Lisa DelGrosso for pushing me to go. I too strongly encourage you to go to the IBCs both at the regional and international levels if you love to bar hop and hear killer blues musicians at the top of their game.

You guys have become a great source of support and friendship to me. I am honored to be the 7th President of HBS and look forward to many, many more special occasions with my Friends in Blues. lk

FROM THE PREZ - May 6, 2010

It was a pleasure to meet Tulsa Blues Society VP Eddie Bagwell at the board meeting in March. Eddie happened to be in Houston and decided to come to our meeting to see how we do it. He was enthused enough to join and is sporting an HBS tshirt to show his support. Later in the month, we received free CDs produced by the Blues Society of Tulsa entitled, Green Country Okies and One Damned Englishman, a compilation of 18 songs by various local artists. Thanks Eddie!

It was also my pleasure to personally meet Mr. Eric Davis who visited the board meeting in April. We have been exchanging emails over the past several months regarding the historical marker for Lightnin Hopkins but had never met. Eric brought us up to speed on the project and shared with us his interesting story about his visit to Forest Lawn where Lightnin' is buried. Eric also visited the burial site of Juke Boy Bonner which is in an abandoned cemetery near Acres Homes and we talked about the importance of grave markers for our deceased blues legends. We will be sure to give everyone the news of the date when the Lightnin' historical marker is to be erected. A limited edition image of Lightnin taken in 1959 is on sale for $115. Only 40 prints are available so order yours now. Thanks go out to Director Jack Henderson for the purchase of one print for the HBS archives. Money received from the sale of prints will directly support the historical marker project. Send your check to: Lightnin Hopkins Marker Fund, 510 E. 16th Street, Houston, TX 77008. We look forward to working with Eric and his interesting blues projects in the future.

Director Lisa DelGrosso has been in possession of several suits, a camera and various items owned by Jimmie T-99 Nelson which were donated to HBS by Nuri Nuri. A small group of HBS volunteers assisted with cleaning up his residence after his death. Lisa sent the suits he performed in to the cleaners and they will be displayed in the future.

Congratulations to Colin King for receiving recognition in the form of an appreciation plaque from HBS for his contribution to the Artery Series video project. After the April meeting, we presented Colin with his plaque and a long-sleeve tshirt we are sure he will wear in the cooler climate of Scotland.

And now, a little lecture from The Prez. Folks, it is that time of year again - nominations and election of Directors. This is my fourth year as an officer for HBS after serving as your Treasurer 3 times and The Prez once. The bylaws state that a person cannot be an Officer or elected Director for more than four consecutive years so, it is my time to bow out. (I was appointed as Treasurer one time but that is just a technicality from my perspective).

Along the way, I got interested in getting the website going again. I put a heck of alot of time into learning the system and really tried to make it a better website. I continue to pick away at it as time permits, adding newsworthy items that cross my desk, interviews that circulate around and events that are brought to my attention. The time is near and this responsibility too will have to be passed on to someone else who is willing and interested in doing it. I am more than happy to show you how it all works and like most things, it is pretty routine once you know the program.

Personally, I have had a ball working with all the people in the blues community in Houston and it gave me the opportunity to meet new people, make lots of new friends and enjoy the music that moves me to and fro. I have learned very much about this organization and one thing is for sure - THE BEST WAY TO GET INVOLVED IN THE HOUSTON BLUES SCENE IS TO BE A DIRECTOR ON THE HBS BOARD.

Our community of supporters is relatively small. I have seen almost every membership application over the past 4 years and 99 percent say that they want to volunteer. But without coming to the meetings and knowing what is going on, how things are done and what we are planning, it is pretty darn tough to actually get involved. I know this to be true. And, quite frankly, I do not think one is inclined to come to a monthly meeting unless they are obligated, in a sense. It is a priority thing. It is a commitment thing.

A few folks have told me that they do not want to be on the board because it is political. Frankly, I do not see it that way. Oh sure, people have opinions and misunderstandings happen, but those situations are very minor in comparison to the good times and good work you can accomplish by being a Director.

I am going to be honest here ... It has been my experience that so few people are interested in submitting their name to the nominations committee that we are scrambling for a slate of candidates at the eleventh hour before ballots are to be mailed out. That happened to me last year. I was on the phone making calls to friends in blues asking if they would please be on the board with me and I am so very happy with the group we have had this year. If you feel some type of leadership is in your blood, you should really go out for a Board position. You might be surprised at the person you find inside yourself.

There are seven positions on the ballot and another three directors are appointed at the first meeting in July. There is room for everyone. I have been told by a few folks that they do not want to run in a contested election and I understand that. And, I have come to learn that not all blues societies actually have elections. But, HBS is a non-profit corporation and as such, we are required to have an election and bylaws. This does not preclude anyone who is genuinely interested from being an active participant who can contribute in a variety of ways. I am positive that any current or past Director is more than willing to help any and all future Directors keep the organization alive and well, show you the ropes, so to speak, and share insight on the various projects. But please keep this in mind ... we have served and now it is your time to step up.

The activities of the Houston Blues Society are performed by the Board members either individually or as a group. As it stands today, most of our projects simply do not require more than six or seven people at any given time. So, our need for volunteers is usually fairly limited. If you filled out that application form and said Yes, I want to volunteer, then you should not only seriously consider a board position, you should submit your name and biographical sketch information before the deadline, May 16th.

With best regards,
Linda Miner Kirschbaum
The Prez

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JANUARY 28, 2010
MEMPHIS WRAP-UP

I've been involved with the IBCs at the Houston Regional level for four or five years and this was the first year I was able to go to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge. It was a gift I gave to myself for taking on the responsibility of being the prez. What a ball we had and I can't begin to describe how much fun it was. Like Mardis Gras or New Year's Eve on Times Square, it's just something one has to experience to fully appreciate.

A slew of people from Houston and HBS were in attendance and we tried our best to rock the house at Club Chill where Sonny Boy Terry Band competed, and King's Palace, the venue for our solo-duo act Dupree. We were all floored when neither representative made it to the finals and one just has to shake their head and wonder, "Why not?" The mood throughout Beale street was somewhat more somber and hundreds of musicians retreated to "lick their wounds" for a few hours or more after the finalists were announced. And, dozens more were feeling the pain and surprise at the Orpheum Theatre when the winners were announced on a rainy Saturday night. But, as Sonny Boy Terry put it, it is a wonderful experience ... absolute pure joy!

I met many people associated with the Blues Foundation including Executive Director Jay Sieleman and his wife, Priscilla along with Joe Whitmer who navigated through an ocean of coordinated activities with style and grace. It was much fun working the "will call" table for the Foundation and I hope they will have me back next year. Well, they did invite me so, I'm gonna' take them up on it!

I need to thank our representatives who delivered stellar performances. The two sets by Stevie Dupree accompanied by Travis Stephenson brought tears to my eyes - really. Their harmonies were pitch perfect, the musicianship tight as it can get and the club was absolutely silent while they progressed through their performances. SBT band also did the very best we could ask of any musician and no doubt they will continue on with opportunities garnered in Memphis.

It's time to switch gears and I am looking forward to tackling the office ... getting our records and memorabilia in order with the assistance of an intern who will be working with HBS the next three months, courtesy of Dr. Joe Kotarba, Professor and Chair of Sociology at the University of Houston and, long-standing HBS member. Joe (along with Sonny Boy Terry and Travis Peoples) started the first Blues in the Schools Program for HBS funded by a Houston Arts Alliance grant way back in the early nineties.

And so blues music enthusiast friends, it is time to put this blues eblast to bed. I hope to see y'all out and about at any event that comes along. Check out the KPFT community weekly concert calendar for the most comprehensive listing which we republish on our website ... courtesy James Blueshound & Colleen Nagle. And, to all the KPFT blues programmers for their continued support, we are thankful.

One last thing, I was honored to attend a meeting of blues societies at the IBCs and met people from around the world who are doing fabulous festivals and various events promoting this genre of music but, I doubt that any could brag about the "Keeping The Blues Alive" awards received by our own. Jay Sieleman made it a point to recognize this success for Houston. The KBA for Pocket Full of Soul - A Harmonica Documentary was accepted by VP Lisa DelGrosso and Director Boyd Bluestein. It was heady stuff!

No doubt, we will be talking about our stroll down Beale Street 2010 for many moons to come.

Keeping the Blues Alive,
Linda Kirschbaum
The Prez

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FROM THE PREZ - January 11, 2010

EVENTS

We were well-entertained yesterday at the Memphis or Bust Fundraiser at Dan Electros Guitar Bar. Both Dupree and the Sonny Boy Terry Band performed to a large audience of fans and supporters. Next week, we head to Memphis to cheer on our regional winners at the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street. In the meantime, please continue to support these great acts when you can.

The Sonny Boy Terry Band will be playing at the House of Blues Bronze Peacock Room tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 12th, in association with The Lonestar Jukebox and Troubador Tuesday (poster below). Show time is 5:00 to 8:00 and admission is FREE. They play again, on Thursday at Shakespears (a regular gig) and Friday, Jan. 15th at The Big Easy for the Goin' to Memphis send off party. www.sonnyboyterry.com Dupree will play at Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi, on Wed. Jan. 20th - the night before the IBC competition begins. They will also perform at the Blind Racoon Showcase in Memphis on Jan 22nd. Their next Houston performance is Jan 30th at Waldo's Coffeehouse at 1030 Heights Boulevard. www.thedeltaflyers.com

STUDY - T-99 SCHOLARSHIP FUND

It was exceptionally cold the night of the HBS Holiday Party-T-99 Scholarship Fundraiser. A huge thanks to everyone who ventured out into the elements to attend and support this HBS event. I wish to convey a special note of appreciation to Sherman Robertson and his band for rising to the occasion. Sherman was having some health issues a few days before the event and with the last minute permission of his physician, he was able to perform. Sherman said that he would not have missed it for anything in the world. What a class act! We will be working on producing the forms necessary to submit an application to HBS for a T-99 Scholarship.

STUDY - INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF BLUES SCHOOHOUSE PROGRAM

A group from HBS attended the premier of the Houston House of Blues Schoolhouse Program featuring our very own Tony Vega on guitar along with other talented musicians performing before an audience of fifth and six grade students. The polished version of the program will be presented this Spring and we will let everyone know the date and time as it becomes available to us. It is a program to be seen by adults and students as well who are interested in the history of blues and American roots music.

PRESERVATION - THE ARTERY SERIES

The board has made a decision to revise our thinking in regards to the Artery Series DVD production. Three individual performance VHS tapes were taken home by directors for viewing and discussion at the next meeting of the board on Jan 18th. We are of the opinion that a compilation DVD would be more interesting to viewers and less financially demanding to produce.

PUBLIC AWARENESS - LIGHTNIN HOPKINS HISTORICAL MARKER

The Lightnin' Hopkins Memorial Fund has almost received the monies required to erect the historical marker and plans are underway for the ceremony which is being organized by Mr. Eric Davis. We will pass along the pertinent information as it becomes available. HBS is proud to have donated $500 to that cause.

KBA

Vice-President Lisa DelGrosso will be at the Keeping The Blues Alive breakfast in Memphis next week and if needed, will accept the 2010 KBA award in Film, Television and Video on behalf of the film makers and our friends, Todd Slobin and Marc Lempert and their creation, Pocket Full of Soul - A Harmonica Documentary.

VALUE OF THE TRADITION

And finally, as a member, it is not too early for you to consider a position on the board of directors. Is it another responsibility? Well, yes. Is it time-consuming. Well, yes. Is it rewarding and fun? Well, yes, it certainly is! The Society survives only by the contribution of the volunteer-member who serves on the board and who, in most respects, does the majority of the work. I am honored to be the seventh president of the Houston Blues Society. And, is it by any coincidence that the first president of HBS, Mr. Sonny Boy Terry, will represent Houston at the International Blues Challenge next week?

We are a community of like-minded blues music enthusiasts who all have skills, experience and a little free time to share to ensure that the purpose, vision and visibility of the Society are maintained well into the years ahead. Please consider your ability to contribute and contact the nominations committee to convey your interest by emailing info@houstonbluessociety.org. Thanks. lk

Keeping The Blues Alive,
Linda Kirschbaum
The Prez