We Will Survive

We Will Survive

We Will Survive

We Will Survive

The best message I could find, musically, appeared ahead of this message. BB King’s “I’ll Survive.” Because that’s what we do here in Florida.

It’s been a rough two weeks for all of us. Most lost power, some had some flooding, and unfortunately a few lost homes. Our venues took a hit, and our musicians are going to be out of work.

But we came together. In traveling between my home and my mom’s home frequently in the days following Milton (and how long before I can again listen to Little Milton?) I witnessed many acts of human kindness – people helping each other.

Of course, the music schedule is a mess. Known is that Camping With The Blues was cancelled. Florida Sands Music took a large hit from the storm and will need time to recover. This message was issued on Facebook:

We are sad to say, the Florida Sand Music Ranch has suffered quite a bit of damage due to Milton. They went through Helene with few issues. This time, however, there is a lot of flooding, more trees and power lines down. They currently have no power.

Unfortunately, the 2024 Camping with the Blues has been cancelled.

Best to check with any venue before you head out to a show. So, in the near term, your newsletter is not going to publish events in our Current Happenings section.

Stay Safe, be well. And we’ll be together before you know it.

Scott Morris

President, Suncoast Blues Society

 

 

Suncoast Blues Society Donates

Suncoast Blues Society Donates

Suncoast Blues Society Donates

Suncoast Blues Society Donates

The Palladium in St Petersburg has a rich history of bringing music to our community. The non-profit foundation at the venue has started a restoration campaign that will reimagine this important venue.

Prior to the Southern Hospitality show, on behalf of our membership your board of directors, represented by Cheryl Spradling and Scott Morris, presented a donation to The Palladium executive director Paul Wilborn.

You can read, and hear, more about this $10 million dollar makeover at this link. Within the presentation, our own Selwyn Birchwood explains what The Palladium means to him.

And if you can do so, Paul Wilborn will appreciate any additional donation. Many of us have fond memories of shows at The Palladium. Let’s help to make new memories inside of a world-class venue.

Message from your President 2024

Message from your President 2024

Message from your President 2024

 

Suncoast Blues Society Events Calendar

(Or, Where is my show?)

While this message is primarily for our local artists, members may find interest in better understanding how events find their way to the Suncoast Blues Society event calendar SBS Events Calendar, and sometimes into the newsletter.

Being an all-volunteer organization, your board of directors does not have the time to maintain a calendar. Anyway, there is a better option called GoTonight.

GoTonight (GTN) is a wonderful partner with Suncoast Blues Society, and without going deep into the technology details GTN sends SBS a calendar of local blues events which populates the calendar on the website. And from there it’s a manual process to transpose the shows into the newsletter. Time consuming for sure; prone to errors as well. But given the volunteer staff, or lack of, it’s the best that we can do for our members

There are two ways that shows do not make it to the SBS calendar. The most prevalent issue is the shows not making it into GTN. Venues and artists can populate their calendar on GTN – and many do. But not all take advantage of the GTN calendar and GTN relies on some of their own volunteers to fill in many of the gaps.

If you are interested in participating, or need more information on GTN’s features, reach out to GTN at  Contact GTN.

The second issue arises with the cut off time for the calendar load to SBS. To help solve this problem GTN and SBS have agreed to a 1:00 PM cutoff time on Monday’s for shows to be in the calendar. We realize that event bookings can be fluid but to get our newsletter out on time we do need to put a stake in the ground, and if a show does not make the cutoff day and time, it may not make the calendar or newsletter.

SBS members find the event data valuable. We know this because the event page is the one that receives the most visits to the website. However, here is one instance where it really does take a village for all to benefit. If you are interested in helping make the event data complete, and a better experienced for all members, reach out to GTN at the above link, or send an email to volunteer@suncoastblues.org

Scott Morris, President Suncoast Blues Society.

 

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

It is my honor to represent Suncoast Blues Society in the office of President. This message will be short, as there are a few items in the works that need to be resolved before I can fully comment.

First, I wish to congratulate and thank Terri O’Brien for her dedication and service to Suncoast Blues Society. Terri certainly stepped up and served your society well as President, and prior to that, as Treasurer. Terri is still in the background helping me transition into the role of President.

Thanks to retiring board member Mark Thompson. Mark returned to help fill a gap on the board and now returns to his title as past-President of Suncoast Blues Society.

Thank you, Vinny Marini, for your experience and wisdom with Events.

Thank you, Lynn Degin for your work in transitioning membership responsibility to Traci Zimmerman.

In my short time as President, I’ve been impressed with board members. I appreciate the boards dedication and energy, and I look forward to working aside

  • Ed Kirk, Vice President
  • Carole Peters, Treasurer
  • Linda Rasor, Secretary
  • Cheryl Spradling, Events & Merchandise
  • James Randolph, Outreach
  • Traci Zimmerman, Membership

As alternates

  • Michael Lortz, Content
  • Noray Sarkesian, Volunteer Coordinator

We still seek alternatives to assist with the many tasks this organization has. In future messages I will talk about how I categorize organizational goals as either operational or aspirational. As a 501c3 non-profit we have many organizational tasks that must be taken care of, some of which are legally required. Aspirational goals are dependent on the support from our members as alternates and volunteers.

Alternates to the Suncoast Blues board is a great way to get to know the organization. Many, including myself, started as an alternate. We can certainly find something for you to do that matches your skills or your interests.

Please say hello to me at events. I am interested in the members’ thoughts, but don’t be surprised if you suggest a wonderful idea  – and we receive many of these – if I ask for your support in turning those ideas into reality. Or if you prefer, send a note to President@suncoastblues.org.

Scott Morris, President Suncoast Blues Society.

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

Message from your President…

Your Suncoast Blues Society just wrapped up another busy year. Here are some of the things your Board accomplished in 2022 that reflect our mission statement:

Dedicated to celebrating and promoting the musical genre known as the blues,

  • Participated in 23 events which included 8 major Blues Festivals 

preserving it’s history and traditions, supporting blues musicians,

  • Hosted 8 Blues in the Community (BITC) events
  • Created partnerships with 4 new venues (Masaryk Winery, Bayboro Brewery, Red Star Live, and Palladium) to promote bBues music
  • Hosted 6 of our own events, including
  • Tas Cru @ Bayboro Brewery
  • Giving Challenge events at Bayboro and the Music Compound
  • Memphis Lightning and Trey Wanvig @ Gill Dawg for IBC sendoff!
  • Alastair Greene at the Side Door / Palladium
  • Our 25th Anniversary Party @ Skippers that had EVERYONE dancing!
  • Annual Beach Bash 

and sharing blues music with current and future generations in the Tampa Bay Area.

  • Awarded our first ever Blues Foundation IBC Youth Showcase sponsorship – Trey Wanvig
  • Partnered with Chuck Ross to sponsor Youth Day at the Tampa Bay Blues Fest –

And recruited 3 new Board members – allow me to introduce them to you…

Vinny Marini

You would never guess by talking to him (lol), but Vinny was born and raised in NY. He has been in love with music since the day he was born and has been broadcasting radio music shows since he was 16.

Vinny began writing album reviews and conducting written interviews with musicians that led to his creating Music On The Couch. That can now be heard, along with his other show Roots & Fruits, on the True Grit Roots Network.   “I love what the Suncoast Blues Society does and how they are constructed and I want to be a part of it and help continue to grow in this area.”

Carole Peters

Carole is a native of St. Louis, home to many famous Blues musicians and grew up playing music and attending concerts. These early musical experiences provided the basis of her love and appreciation of musicians and their craft.  Carole became a member of the Suncoast Blues Society shortly after moving to Florida in 2015 – you may recognize her as the lovely lady who is always willing to take your money in exchange for a cool shirt or a new CD at one of our SBS events.  Carole has been a member of civic organizations in her hometown of New Port Richey for seven years, volunteering at many charity events.  “I am looking forward to applying my leadership and organizational skills to the advancement of the Suncoast Blues Society.” 

Mark Thompson (aka Big Kahuna)

Mark is a past Board member and former President of the Suncoast Blues Society.  After stepping aside for a few years, he has decided to return to the Board in hopes of working on developing a stronger Blues in the Schools presence, initially in the Bradenton community and spreading from there, by establishing solid partnerships with organizations like Realize Bradenton to accomplish that goal. Mark is also a writer for Blues Blast Magazine, Blues Music Magazine, and the Chicago Blues Guide website. “I have been listening to Blues music for more than five decades.”

 

Message from your President…

President’s Message…

President’s Message…

President’s Message…

Well folks, another year coming to a close. Life moves on and with it comes change and so it is for your Suncoast Blues Society.  Three of our Board members, Scott Morris, Pat Smoot and Jesse Smoot, are retiring after 3 years of ‘active duty’.

Jesse was our Secretary for a few years then took on Membership and did a great job organizing and updating our system to reflect current needs – no small task but perfect for someone as detail-oriented as Jesse is.  In addition, he updated our Bylaws and worked with his lovely wife, our Merchandise guru. Pat is one of the most organized people I have ever met! She was an experienced buyer before retiring and inventoried and organized all of our merchandise.

Pat & Jesse are a great Team – they were always the first ones to arrive and set up at the Festivals and the last ones to pack up and leave. They kept our old trailer in working order and more than once hosted Board meetings at their lovely home.

Scott wore multiple hats during his tenure including Treasurer, working on content for our weekly eblast such as CD and event reviews, FB posting, and organizing multiple events. In addition, he dragged us kicking and screaming into the 21st century by updating our website to include online sales of merchandise and improving our online documents and records storage which was a huge project. It will take at least 3 people to replace him!  We wish him well in his next adventure, S&B Sound.

We have been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with these folks – be sure and thank them when you see them out and about.

Stay tuned next week to meet our 3 new Board members!

Terri