MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING

June 2, 2005

 

President Sam Ketchum called the meeting to order a 7:00 pm.

12 members present

 

Secretary’s Report: (Submitted by Bob Waters). Accepted as read.

 

Treasurer’s Report: (Submitted by Sam Ketchum) Accepted as read.

  

Committee Reports:

 

   Communications Mark Winborn (no report)

 

Yahoo News Group – Mike Albert reported that we have 8 to 10 new joiners each month.

 

Website – Keith Carter (no report)

NewsGrass – Mark Winborn

Sam Ketchum and Bob Waters commented again on the superb job that Mark and Cheryl are doing with the newsletter.  Also, printer had record turnaround time of 3 hours for the latest edition. Mark reported that new advertising rates have increased the purchasing of advertising, including Sam Hatchi and the Mountain View BG Festival and others.  Very favorable.

    

Activities – John Gay

Riverfest will be September 17.  He is scheduled to attend a planning meeting with the staff at Mud Island.  Possibility of staying open until 8:00 pm but if that is done it will increase expenses for tram and MI staff.  John wants feedback about possibility of charging for a headliner and others who may wish to attend planning meeting.  There is a vendor contract; cannot bring in other vendors.  However is a public park so people can picnic if they like.  Staffing for unanticipated crowd may have been problem.  Is working with Michael Loder.

 

Also, Ducks Unlimited is having a smaller scaled event on the 17-18th.

 

Collierville mini festival not working out at this time.

 

MABA fall picnic:  Probably in October again on the 22nd, probably at Shelby Farms, but not set yet.  Discussed other possible sites such as Canale Farms which is nice, but catered, and has boat rides and inflated jump joys for children, open to group only, not public, with set fees.  Other ideas, Freeman Park in Ellendale with gazebo and restrooms with covered pavilion, or Ornamental Museum at the River, or Showboat River Boat Ride with Bar B Que. 

 

There will be a Shelby Farms Festival and MABA Bands will the opportunity to earn money if they participate. 

 

   Regulatory – James Johnson   (no report)

 

   Membership – Helen Davis (Reported via Sam Ketchum)

Sam reported that we have approximately 249 paid-up members, 10 honorary members for a total of 259 members. 55  new members since January.

   Dues reminder will be sent out to those who have not renewed their membership.

 

Education Jim Phillips

Jim reported that posters are set up on halls at LOL church to let everyone know about workshops.  Stated that using homes is working out very well and they are scheduled through August.

 

June 11th Banjo workshop at home of Tommy George Sat from 9:30-11:30n am will focus on set-up and repair.

 

July 14th at 7:00 pm Gary Pierce will hold Dobro workshop at Millington Flying club.

 

Shelia Phillips will hold a women’s   Harmony Workshop at the home of Diana Ford on August 5th, Friday night. 

 

Kevin Thompson will conduct an advanced guitar workshop on June 23rd. but not at Faith and Don’s as publicized.  It will be held at Steve Craig’s home.

 

The bass workshop held at LOL on May 14th with Steve Craig was very successful and well-attended.

 

Ed Fleener has been holding beginner and advanced beginner workshops at his home on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. This is more structured and the attendees are working through a book.

 

Bob Waters holds a study group on the other Wednesdays to review material learned the previous week.

 

May 21st, Tom Hood held successful fiddle workshop at LOL.

 

On May 28th, Jeannie Gentry has started working with beginning guitar players.

 

Ned Plunk has begun working with beginning banjo players at LOL Church on Saturdays.

 

Randall Morton is willing to hold an advanced Banjo workshop, date and place to be set.

 

Brandon Apple is willing to hold a fiddle workshop, date and place to be set.

 

These kinds of activities and willingness of MABA members to help newcomers and others is the heart of this organization, making it strong and viable, a friendly place for all.

 

Rob Sumner informed the Board that John McEuen of the Dirt Band may be coming through Memphis and is willing to give some workshops.  He is an outstanding musician and has mastered several instruments.  It is speculated that this could be a regional draw workshop.

‘

   GRASS – Helen Davis 

 

MABA involvement in the community for May is as follows:

 

Delta Blue:

May 23, ATRIA, Riverdale Assisted Living Home,  Memphis, Tn.

May 26, Carriage Assisted Living Home,  Memphis, Tn.

May 31, Veterans Retirement Home, Oxford, Ms.

 

Loosahatchie Grass:

May 22, Ave Marie Assisted Living, Memphis, Tn

 

Cypress Creek and Larry Martin:

May 12,  Galloway Nursing Home, Galloway, Tn

 

Cross Town Grass:

May 14,  Dunlap Nursing Home,  Brighton, Tn.

 

           

   Lucy Opry – Woody Marshall

     Kirby, Apple, and Rounds will perform at the Lucy Opry on June 11th.

Lewis Family will be at the Lucy Opry on July 10th

Claire Lynch  August 6.

 

   Welcoming/Caring – Loyce Smith 

      4 cards were sent to MABA members in May, 4 in June so far.

 

    

 

July 23rd will be MABA recording at Bartlett United Methodist Church.  Jim Phillips has agreed to be stage manager and 18 slots have been confirmed.  More volunteers will be needed. 

 

July Board meeting will have home made ice cream for members to promote open meetings.  Was very well-attended the last time it was done. 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.