MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING

November 2, 2006

President John Fitzer called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm

 

17 members were present.

 

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

 

Treasurer’s Report: (Larry Bomar). The October Treasurer’s report was approved.

     Riverfest sales of caps and shirts have totaled $629 to date.

     Check(s) received from Germantown Historical Commission for $100.

   In-coming president, Keith Carter’s name has been added to the MABA checking account.

 

Committee Reports:

Communications – Duke Walker

 

NewsGrass; Rawley Cain placed another full-page advertisement for the Fifth Annual Family Entertainment Bluegrass Jamboree.

     Cheryl Parker resigned from her position as layout manager for NewsGrass. MABA thanked Cheryl for a job well done.  Duke Walker, NewsGrass editor will take over the layout.      

Yahoo News Group – Mike Albert (no report).

 

Website – Keith Carter

     Keith placed pictures from Riverfest on the MABA Website.

 

Activities – Gordon Jones and John Gay

Benefit concert for Brent Davis is scheduled for January 6TH at Grace Crossing Church in Collierville. Diana Ford is leading the charge; frequent flier miles have already been donated to help offset Brent’s travel expenses. Acting as facilitatory participant, MABA could accept donations for the Davis family. These donations would not be contributions to MABA and would not be tax-deductible. Frank Ray from Cedar Hill will play at the benefit concert.

The Annual Gary Williams Potluck dinner is tentatively planned for February 24th. Mark Winborn will talk with the scheduling people at Woodland Presbyterian to see if we can have use their facility.

John Gay reported that Riverfest went pretty well and that the people at Mud Island were glad to have us. We likely will break even on monies taken in and paid out. Some concern was raised that another venue, such as the Baptist Camp, may be more beneficial to MABA since bands could play into the evening and MABA could run concessions. Next year we will also seek to do more advertising for the event.

MABA thanks Riverfest organizers, John Gay and Karen Hudson, for a job well done!!!!!!

 

Regulatory – James Johnson

   See above comments concerning Davis Benefit Concert.

 

Membership – Maureen Fitzer

   One new member joined MABA during October.

 

Education – Jennifer Eggers

   Interest expressed in inviting Claire Lynch to do another songwriting workshop. Interest also expressed in asking Missy Raines to do a bass workshop.

 

   MABA would like to hook up with the Tennessee Arts Council to apply for educational grants to bring in Tennessee artists for educational workshops. MABA is looking in participating in a training session for teaching non-profit groups how to compete for grants.

 

   Steve Craig and Bob Waters conducted a beginner and intermediate bass workshop on October 28th. Ten MABA members attended.

 

   Jim Phillips proposed that MABA put together a day of workshops that would feature 2 or 3 workshops in a picnic-like venue. The longer workshops would allow participants to hear presentations and then be given sufficient time to practice the newly learned material under the direction of an instructor.

 

GRASS – Beth Mays

   Beth asks MABA members to please bring can-goods to the Saturday pickin to be used by Grass for in preparing Thanksgiving baskets to a home for Bethany House.

 

Lucy Opry – Beth Mays and Woody Marshall

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

   Grasscals, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Charlie Sizemore, and Cedar Hill have already committed for the 2007 season at the LUCY.

 

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

   One card was sent out this month.

 

Old Business:

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

President: Keith Carter

Vice President: Wayne Walker

Treasurer: Ed Richter

Secretary: Louis Medcalf

 

Communications: Duke Walker

Education Jennifer Eggers

Activities: Gordon Jones

Grass: Beth Mays

Welcoming/Caring: Loyce Smith

 

Member at Large: Sam Ketchum

 

   A motion was made and accepted to approve the officer slate for 2007. Good job by in-coming president, Keith Carter, in rallying the troops for MABA.

 

New Business:

   Ed Richter will take over the office as MABA Treasurer beginning in December.

 

   James Johnson announced that Betsie Williamson will conduct the 2006 MABA audit.

 

   LOL will not be available for Saturday pickin on December 23rd and 30th.

 

Meeting adjourned by President Fitzer at 8:24 pm.