kudzurunner
131 posts
Oct 22, 2008
5:09 AM
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All:
I just had an idea, and I'd like some feedback. Many virtual communities find a way, eventually, of bringing some or all of their members together in person for a special event. Is there any way we might do this at some point in the future?
The most obvious problem is location: even if we triangulate and try to collect ourselves at a "central" location, some people will have to travel much further than others.
I'm not sure what I have in mind; I'm just thinking out loud.
One obvious gathering place would be the annual SPAH meeting next August in Sacramento.
Another possibility would be for me to coordinate with Jason Ricci and a couple of other teachers and create some sort of jam camp, on the model of Gindick's camps. I do think that whatever we did, there would have to be some sort of teaching component, both group and individual--i.e., it would be ideal if I could have an individual lesson, even if only 15 minutes or so, with EVERY blues forum person who showed up.
Frankly, it's a hell of a lot of work organizing a jam camp; I could do it, but it would be a big drain.
The advantage of SPAH is that they handle all the basic organizational stuff--the hotel arrangements, the rooms in which to gather. If I told them, "Hey, I want to find a way of making space within your annual meeting for all my friends from Modern Blues Harmonica," I know they'd help me out--especially if I threw them some money.
I live only 75 miles from Memphis, so the other obvious way of doing this, from my perspective, would be to organize some event in Memphis, possibly coordinated with some seasonal event like the International Blues Challenge in February.
I know I could get Jason Ricci on board with this, and Billy Gibson.
Please let me hear your thoughts. This is just a crazy brainstorm, but I think it's a good idea and I'm willing to tinker with it.
--Adam
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 5:10 AM
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Ant138
45 posts
Oct 22, 2008
5:26 AM
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I live in the U.K but if i can afford it i'll be there. I got married in the states last year and did vegas ,L.A and would love to get back there.
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 5:29 AM
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Tuckster
31 posts
Oct 22, 2008
7:26 AM
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Yes! Yes! Yes! that's a great idea. I just booked my flight to the IBC's, so that's where I'm leaning, but SPAH would also be a great venue for it.
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Oxharp
30 posts
Oct 22, 2008
10:35 AM
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Great idea,
Big Problem? The uk.
I have email john G with regards to putting on a jam camp in the UK but like you said it must be a nightmare organising one.
I am in the National Harmonica League (NHL) and they have an annual spring festival in May every year wher members of the NHL get together to swap ideas have workshops from guest harps players and a jam?/concert on the evening.
It was a great learning tool for me to actually speak to different people and find out the answers to the questions that pop into my head when I am learning at home. I plan to go to the next one in May next year. May be this is the sort of place you could do your stuff. If you are interested I can fix you up with the right people.
There is also an anual festival in October over the weekend in fact its this weekend. Its on similar lines to the Spring festival but much bigger and loads of workshops and competitions etc. I could also fix you up with the organiser of this event.
Let me know before the weekend and I will get the ball rolling for you. It would be absolutely fantastic to have you, Jason and Billy on the guest list.
This is exactly the sort of ideas this forum is made for. I think we should all meet up at some point somewhere some how.
The possibilities are endless. You have my vote from the UK and all the assistance I can muster for this to happen.
How many people are you expecting? there must be about 3 to 4 hundred at the annual event in October that gives us a year to sort something out?
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 10:40 AM
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cm16600
19 posts
Oct 22, 2008
11:40 AM
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Living in Sweden ,won't be able to make it,but would love to be part of it .
Good luck with this project Adam.
chris
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Bobbyred16
25 posts
Oct 22, 2008
12:17 PM
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Adam,
The get together in Memphis would be just as cool as Jon's camp in Clarksdale. I live on Long Island but I would most definately make the trip down to Memphis for this event. If you're keeping a list of open interests put me down. I'll see you in VA Beach on Thursday.
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superchucker77
89 posts
Oct 22, 2008
1:00 PM
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As you know Mr. Gussow, I live in memphis so I'm all for a memphis get together. We could all have a tour of beal street. Modern Blues Harmonica in the home of the blues sounds great to me :)
Plus Billy Gibson lives here in memphis and Jason Ricci is not that far away in Nashville.
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 1:02 PM
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SUNDOG
43 posts
Oct 22, 2008
2:04 PM
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Memphis.... Possible....... Will watch this thread with continuing interest. BTW now reading "Journeyman's Road" Perhaps get the Book autographed at that time....
r, Neal aka:SUNDOG
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 2:06 PM
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eharp
107 posts
Oct 22, 2008
3:03 PM
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i think it is a great idea to get the forum-ites together. it is always fun to meet 'net friends in person.
like you said, you will never be able to get everybody together due to time issues, money matters, location. but an effort like this is always worth trying. i think, also, that winters are tough for events because now you have to put snow into the travel equation.
i think SPAH would be problematic due to all the activities and seminars that make that a full week. but it is your show.
as the line goes, "build it and they will come."
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Warbleman
33 posts
Oct 22, 2008
7:07 PM
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I think Memphis would be awesome. I've always wanted to visit Memphis and since I live about an hour north of Atlanta, GA. It wouldn't be too insane to drive up there. I'm SO for it.
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kudzurunner
132 posts
Oct 22, 2008
7:45 PM
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Here's what I found on harp-l:
SPAH 2009 will be August 11-15, 2009 in Sacramento, California.
The hotel is the Radisson Sacramento:
http://www.radissonsac.com/
I think Sacramento or Memphis would work for me. Obviously I'll try to make an MBH gathering happen next time I'm in England.
To be continued.......
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oldwailer
272 posts
Oct 22, 2008
7:51 PM
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Way cool idea!! I can't guarantee that I'll be able to make it--but I'm going to start sneaking a few bucks aside now to save up for it!
I'd be down for it wherever it is--for me, Memphis is about the same deal as anywhere else--since I'm so far North West--Seattle would be a good place--don't you think?
Sacramento would be great--I know that city a little. . .
Last Edited by on Oct 22, 2008 7:52 PM
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kudzurunner
133 posts
Oct 22, 2008
7:55 PM
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Just remembered: Jimi Lee, harp player extraordinaire, has been selected as the Austin Blues Society's representative at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in early February 2009. He needs all the support he can get.
I'll be seeing Jimi at Gindick's camp in Virginia Beach next week. I may do a video with or about him.
I think he's the odds-on favorite to win in the solo blues performer category. He's a brilliant harp player, guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He's got it all. Best rack harp player in the world, for my money.
Suppose I were to book a suite at some convenient Memphis location--not the Peabody, but something right in midtown--and I got Billy Gibson and perhaps Terry Harmonica Bean and we put on a one-day clinic / gathering: 9-12 and 2-5, followed by an evening in which we all pile into whatever club Jimi will be doing his semifinals gig at? It's always semifinals on one night and finals on the second night, I believe.
I would keep the price down. $50-$60 for the day. Recession special. 15-20 people.
If you're potentially interested, please email me at asgussow@aol.com
This would be a nice way not only of making our virtual community real, but of supporting a fantastic harp player in his quest to be #1. And hey: we might even find Vince Johnson out in Handy Park and get to sit in.
Still thinking out loud.......
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Tweed
27 posts
Oct 22, 2008
9:24 PM
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Adam
I'm glad to hear that the SPAH convention is hitting the west and think a lot of westies like myself would be interested in a workshop on this side of the country within driving distance from home. I know I am.
Tweed
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Luiz
8 posts
Oct 23, 2008
4:02 AM
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It is a great idea!
I will definitely follow this thread so as soon as something is defined I will check the possibilities to visit the USA for the first time! :)
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BlindBob
1 post
Oct 27, 2008
7:48 AM
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Hello. New guy here but, a from the beginnig viewer of Adam's vids.
I was in Nashville In. this past weekend for John Hall's Bushman fall fest and this same idea was talked about.
Adam, you and Jason did a seminar at the Bean Blossom two years ago that did not last near long enough to suit me.
AT any rate, John is going to try and put something like this together in Jan. Or Feb.
No matter where it was, I would enjoy something like this.
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Miles Dewar
38 posts
Oct 27, 2008
12:04 PM
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Just be sure to tell me if your doing anything close to Chicago. i will be down for sure.
---Be Positive---
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cblue85
4 posts
Oct 27, 2008
2:18 PM
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I would honestly love to.
but seeing how my young age might affect my ability to travel, i probably won't be going.
Maybe in a few years eh ;)
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Fredrider51
15 posts
Oct 28, 2008
3:58 AM
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That sounds cool Adam ..Maybe i can get few guys from Philly to attend this event. Hope you make at least 2 days. If you need help I am here for you Adam.
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Big Al
Guest
Oct 28, 2008
11:25 AM
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How about Kansas City? Geographically speaking, pretty centraly located.
Plenty of great Bar-B-Que.
Don't BBQ and Blues go hand in hand?
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Train-train
17 posts
Oct 28, 2008
5:27 PM
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I want to go. With gas prices down things are more possible for traveling. I hope it becomes true.
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Blackbird
1 post
Oct 28, 2008
5:39 PM
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I'm up in Seattle, and wouldn't mind the travel with enough advance notice to plan it. My biggest hurdle is the cost of the hotel/lodging, but if a discount deal or low price onsite or very nearby is offered, I'm all for it.
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Oct 28, 2008
5:47 PM
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Maybe I can talk Jason Ricci into putting on another Rockers in the Rockies where Jason, Adam and I are the instructors.
We'd be shooting for Boulder, CO during a time when New Blood is there.
There would be a cost involved. Something like $350/person or more but you're not going to find better "real world" instruction anywhere on the planet with the three of us.
It's an amazing experience.
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oldwailer
282 posts
Oct 28, 2008
6:43 PM
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Colorado would be a great place for me--maybe get a car pool from Seattle there.
Isn't Ron Shellist based in Denver? Maybe we could get him there too--this could shape up to be a VERY cool thing!!
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kudzurunner
151 posts
Oct 28, 2008
6:50 PM
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I'd love to get to Boulder for the first time. I'm a distance runner, you know. Boulder is a mecca for guys like me. Count me in.
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oldwailer
284 posts
Oct 28, 2008
6:53 PM
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Great, Adam! I'm getting stoked about this!
By the way, Adam--Denver is also a mile high--a marathon run for me at that altitude would be hurrying to the hotel bar!
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Oct 28, 2008
6:57 PM
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If I had enough money, I'd move to Boulder tomorrow. It's one of my favorite towns.
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Carl_Comfort
29 posts
Oct 29, 2008
3:30 PM
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Sorry I'll have to pass this one, unless I sell my vip- entry behind the central station. Just checked out the prizes to Memphis..
But I decided to start saving for SPAH 2015, see you all there!
Carl
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Carl_Comfort
31 posts
Oct 29, 2008
4:04 PM
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Oh and Oxharp, I'm very interested if something is going on in the UK.
Living in Amsterdam you see, please let me know if you got any updates.
Cheers
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Suave Blues Man
1 post
Nov 01, 2008
5:58 PM
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Brother Adam,
Live web broadcast via your site?
Be Blues...And Jazz,
Suave Blues Man
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Train-train
18 posts
Nov 07, 2008
2:15 PM
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Whats the update on a get together?
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