Thursday, July 21, 2011

Blues Challenge ahead!

Lots of news this week! But we'll start with a note sent from Dereck Curry:

Hi, my name is Dereck Curry. Some of you know me, some of you don't. But in August of 2007 I was one of the cofounders of the Lowcountry Blues Club and for the first year of the club I was pretty much the de facto President of the organization. I had a vision for the blues society that we were creating, one where the society was really a member driven organization, and made it a condition that after each year the club would elect a board of directors and a set of officers from the board. It was never the intent of this club to be run by the same people year after year, like many community organizations we have all encountered. This club was not an ego trip or a power trip for those involved, but an organization for blues music lovers run by music lovers. The idea was simple: if new people weren't willing to step up and lead after a year, the club would simply be disbanded. I shared this vision with the other founders (Tommy Thunderfoot, Stuart Johnson, and Kathleen Wehle) and they agreed that this was the best way to establish the foundation of an organization we hoped would exist for decades to come.

Luckily many others also shared this vision. And on our first anniversary we brought in all the club members and did a proper election of board and officers. Many of the folks who were involved in those early days are still actively involved in the Lowcountry Blues Club today. That's a testament to our organization. Our first elected President was Chip Hall. Following Chip was Greg Cooper. And following Greg was Tim Shaw. Each of these Presidents brought a great deal to the organization and really helped it thrive over the years. Over the past few months, I've been serving as the interim President after Tim needed to step aside. And truthfully, I did a bad job. I had the best of intentions when agreeing to serve until our normal election cycle, but I just didn't have the time to dedicate to the club that it deserves. So I requested a special election be called to elect a new board and officers a few months early.

I'm happy to report that last Wednesday we elected a new board and officers, and I'm very excited about this new leadership group. There are many new faces and a mix of seasoned board veterans. Our new President is Billy Gadol. Billy is a well known figure in the Lowcountry Blues Club and has been an ardent supporter of our organization. I look forward to seeing where Billy and the new board take the club over the coming year. Please give them all the support they need in making this the best blues society in the country and a musical force in our communities.

In closing, I would like to thank everyone who has been involved over the past four years. And I would like to give a special thanks to the board members and officers. You really have been unbelievable. So many people have worked astoundingly hard to make my vision a reality that I am truly humbled and appreciative of all of you. I've made many great friends over the past four years, and expect to make many more in the years to come. We are an amazing organization, and it's because of all of you.

Thank you.

Dereck

We also received this note from Tim "The Big Guy" Shaw: "As past president of the Lowcountry Blues Club I would like to wish continuing success for the club and new board. I am excited about the new board members as I have a great deal of respect for each of them and I know they will bring a renewed excitement to the club. Personally I have had the pleasure of meeting and making many new friends and growing as a musician. There is one person from the club I would like to thank and that is Dereck Curry for his vision to start the club. From the early days at A Dough Re Mi and now at Hometeam BBQ the club continues to be exciting and entertaining for fans and musicians alike. I look forward to seeing you at future jams as I too will enjoy the future of the club."

So, the new officers and board are working now to plan the Lowcountry Blues Club Challenge - a battle-of-the-bands style competition, the winner of which is then nominated by our club to go to Memphis to perform at the IBC (the International Blues Challenge), a truly awesome event which is held over a long weekend, starting January 31, 2012. We'll be giving you lots of details about the Challenge very soon. But start thinking now about whether you want to compete. Bands will be judged by the same standards as those used at the IBC, and you can find out lots of details about the IBC and judging standards at their website at blues.org.

What's going on this weekend, you ask? Well, we'll be brief, because this is a long newsletter already. On Friday and Saturday nights, you could see Johnny Mac and band at the Sand Dollar, 10 pm. Louie D is at the King St Grill/WA on Friday night at 10, and Rooftop Bar downtown on Sat night, 6-9. Friday 6-9 there's Shrimp City Slim at Freshfields Village, Kiawah, as well. And if you want to post your band's gigs, please go to our facebook page, and let us know where you're playing, please! And of course, we want to see you for the weekly LBC jam at Home Team BBQ/ WA, every Wednesday night!

Also coming soon: the Trident United Way Battle of the Bands - This event starts at 5:30 pm on Aug 4, 2011 at The Music Farm. There will be 12 bands ( many of which have Lowcountry Blues Club members). There is a $10 cover charge and you get music, food, and an adult drink included. Yes, included! You can go to Trident United Way Battle of the Bands on Facebook for a list of bands and sponsors!

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Reminders:

Check your favorite local paper for more shows happening this weekend.

If you want to see your band's gigs in this newsletter, send all the details to lowcountrybluesclub@gmail.com. We usually send out the newsletter on Thursday or Friday, so get the info in before Wednesday, please. Or just post to our facebook page directly!

July's featured artists are Willie Dixon (1915), Junior Kimbrough (1930), and Buddy Guy (1936), born in July.

Check out some of our recordings from the Wednesday jams at http://www.reverbnation.com/lowcountrybluesclub

It's time to pay your dues for 2011 if you haven't already done so. Just come out to a jam, and give us $10 for an individual, $25 for a band or family, or $100 for a corporate membership. Or you can mail dues to The Lowcountry Blues Club, P.O. Box 814, Isle of Palms, SC 29451.

LMW, July 21, 2011

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