MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING

October 5, 2006

President John Fitzer called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm

15 members were present.

Secretary’s Report: (Bob Waters). The September minutes were approved.

Interim Treasurer’s Report: (Larry Bomar). The Treasurer’s report was approved. Bill Dutton provided Larry Bomar with a detailed 5-month summary report to which Larry will update.

Ed Richter will take over as MABA Treasurer for 2007.

Larry made a check out for $500 to Reelfoot Ministries. This is another example of MABA helping our community.

Larry received $280 in donations to MABA for a memorial in honor of John Brannon.

MABA earned to $240 from MABA bands performing at the Ruffin Theater.

MABA will rent a room for two nights at SPBGMA. SPBGMA will take place between February 1^st and February 4^th.

MABA September picnic was a great success with more than 150 members in attendance.

Plans are underway to hold the Annual Gary Williams Potluck Dinner again at Woodland.

Committee Reports:

Communications – Duke Walker

NewsGrass received $100 in advertisements during September.

Yahoo News Group – Mike Albert (no report).

Website – Keith Carter (no report).

Activities – Gordon Jones and John Gay

John reported that 13 bands have signed-on for Riverfest on Saturday October 14^th between 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at Mud Island. John is currently tweaking the schedule to accommodate all participating bands. Tee shirts and hats have been ordered by Karen Hudson. John is currently trying to procure a sound system.

Regulatory – James Johnson

The Pension Protection Act will require MABA to supply information to the IRS. The report may not be due until 2008 and will have to be filed electronically.

Membership – Maureen Fitzer

MABA had two new members join and one member renewal during September. MABA currently has a total of 235 members.

Education Steve Craig (no report)

Steve Craig and Bob Waters will do a bass beginners and intermediate workshop on Saturday October 28th.

Tom Hood continues to teach an advanced guitar chords on the 1^st Saturday of the month, continue to provide a fiddle workshop the 3^rd Saturday of the month.

GRASS – Beth Mays

Beth reported that GRASS is collecting can goods to given to a neighborhood center.

GRASS will donate clothing and funds to Bethany House (home for unwed mothers) as the MABA Christmas project.

MABA is looking into ways to help the Davis Family. As most of you know, Brent was recently diagnosed with leukemia and the family needs help and support from MABA. MABA is looking into having a benefit concert sometime in mid-November to raise funds for the Davis family.

Lucy Opry – Beth Mays and Woody Marshall

The Blue Highway concert at the LUCY was attended by 290+ bluegrass music lovers and Blue Highway did not disappoint. Betty Westmoreland wrote a wonderful review that was published in the October NewsGrass. Beth and Will Mays are working on putting together the 2007 Lucy schedule. To date, commitments have been received from Dry Branch Fire Squad, Tony Rice and Peter Rowan, and Charlie Sizemore.

Kenny and Amanda Smith will perform at the LUCY on November 17^th.

Welcoming/Caring – Loyce Smith, Jo Edith & James Hudson, Erna Wheeley

Two cards were sent out this month.

Old Business:

The First Baptist Church Finance Committee did not approve hosting MABA Saturday jams.

New Business:

MABA is happy to announce the following individuals have agreed to occupy officer positions for 2007:

President: Keith Carter

Vice President: TBA

Treasurer: Ed Richter

Secretary: Louis Medcalf

Regulatory: James Johnson

Communications: Duke Walker

Education Jennifer Eggers

Activities: Gordon Jones

Grass: Beth Mays

Lucy: Woody Marshall

Welcoming/Caring Loyce smith

Board Member at large: TBA

Membership: Maureen and John Fitzer

Rumor has it that a new bass shop will be moving to Memphis in the near future.

Meeting adjourned by President Fitzer at 8:27 pm.