There is no doubt that 2015 has been one of the most productive years for the St. Louis Blues Society in recent memory. Being that this is the last BluesLetter of the year, I think it is important to take a moment and look at what the organization and community has accomplished this year.
Our team of volunteers and board members have worked with, and supported, over 30 shows this year, including many community concert series and benefits in conjunction with other not-for-profit organizations. We have begun work with several groups to support Blues Education including recent programs at the School of Rock in Ballwin. The STLBS hosted the first Atomic Blues Festival at the Atomic Cowboy that featured an all-day celebration of St. Louis Blues to help raise funds for our new Education Fund. The BluesLetter got out consistently with more and more writers getting involved. We also released the first compilation CD that featured 14 groups from St. Louis performing original music.
Most recently, the STLBS hosted The Road to Memphis, our regional competition to prepare for the International Blues Challenge. Seven bands and two solo/duo acts competed to represent St. Louis at the 32nd annual IBC in Memphis, TN January 26 to 30, 2016. Congratulations to band winner Eugene Johnson & Company, and solo/duo winner, The Maness Brothers.
There are two upcoming benefit shows to help support our Memphis-bound artists at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups. On November 15 from 3-6pm, The Kingdom Brothers, last year’s St. Louis band representatives in Memphis, will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary and are graciously donating a portion of their proceeds to the St. Louis Road to Memphis. In addition, on December 13 from 3-6pm the Maness Brothers and Eugene Johnson & Company will be performing at the Road to Memphis Winner's Showcase to help raise awareness and necessary funds for their trip to the IBC. We really hope you can join us at either or both of these events.
While this year has been fruitful and a lot of fun for the community, there is much to look forward to in the upcoming months. Specifically, the new compilation CD is almost done and should be out in January. Recording and mixing is wrapping up and we are just putting the final touches on mastering and design this month. There will be 15 groups (none were on the last cd) performing original material, recorded at Paul Niehaus’ studio. What’s most exciting to me about this project is that when it comes out there will be two CDs available from the STLBS featuring 29 St. Louis artists performing 29 original songs. These types of CDs don’t currently exist in St. Louis and by creating and funding them, we have a unique way to showcase the world-class talent in St. Louis. Remember, paid members will receive the CD in the mail in January. If you are not a member, now is the time to sign up so you too get to enjoy the music before it is made available for sale to the public.
I would also take a moment to thank all of our new volunteers this year. Our volunteer coordinator, Rebecca Ryan, has done a great job organizing people who want to be involved. Those who have donated time and energy at shows and/or behind the scenes have been nothing but wonderful. Thank you all so much for getting involved. We really could not have accomplished so much this year without you.
Finally, while 2015 was a great year for the blues in St. Louis, we are working to make 2016 even better. If you are interested in getting involved or have some suggestions for new programming, education, BluesLetter contents or anything else, please reach out to the STLBS. The more people who get involved, the stronger the community will be in the future.
As always, thanks for supporting the Blues in St. Louis!
Jeremy Segel-Moss, Chairperson of the St. Louis Blues Society
Our team of volunteers and board members have worked with, and supported, over 30 shows this year, including many community concert series and benefits in conjunction with other not-for-profit organizations. We have begun work with several groups to support Blues Education including recent programs at the School of Rock in Ballwin. The STLBS hosted the first Atomic Blues Festival at the Atomic Cowboy that featured an all-day celebration of St. Louis Blues to help raise funds for our new Education Fund. The BluesLetter got out consistently with more and more writers getting involved. We also released the first compilation CD that featured 14 groups from St. Louis performing original music.
Most recently, the STLBS hosted The Road to Memphis, our regional competition to prepare for the International Blues Challenge. Seven bands and two solo/duo acts competed to represent St. Louis at the 32nd annual IBC in Memphis, TN January 26 to 30, 2016. Congratulations to band winner Eugene Johnson & Company, and solo/duo winner, The Maness Brothers.
There are two upcoming benefit shows to help support our Memphis-bound artists at BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups. On November 15 from 3-6pm, The Kingdom Brothers, last year’s St. Louis band representatives in Memphis, will be celebrating their 10th Anniversary and are graciously donating a portion of their proceeds to the St. Louis Road to Memphis. In addition, on December 13 from 3-6pm the Maness Brothers and Eugene Johnson & Company will be performing at the Road to Memphis Winner's Showcase to help raise awareness and necessary funds for their trip to the IBC. We really hope you can join us at either or both of these events.
While this year has been fruitful and a lot of fun for the community, there is much to look forward to in the upcoming months. Specifically, the new compilation CD is almost done and should be out in January. Recording and mixing is wrapping up and we are just putting the final touches on mastering and design this month. There will be 15 groups (none were on the last cd) performing original material, recorded at Paul Niehaus’ studio. What’s most exciting to me about this project is that when it comes out there will be two CDs available from the STLBS featuring 29 St. Louis artists performing 29 original songs. These types of CDs don’t currently exist in St. Louis and by creating and funding them, we have a unique way to showcase the world-class talent in St. Louis. Remember, paid members will receive the CD in the mail in January. If you are not a member, now is the time to sign up so you too get to enjoy the music before it is made available for sale to the public.
I would also take a moment to thank all of our new volunteers this year. Our volunteer coordinator, Rebecca Ryan, has done a great job organizing people who want to be involved. Those who have donated time and energy at shows and/or behind the scenes have been nothing but wonderful. Thank you all so much for getting involved. We really could not have accomplished so much this year without you.
Finally, while 2015 was a great year for the blues in St. Louis, we are working to make 2016 even better. If you are interested in getting involved or have some suggestions for new programming, education, BluesLetter contents or anything else, please reach out to the STLBS. The more people who get involved, the stronger the community will be in the future.
As always, thanks for supporting the Blues in St. Louis!
Jeremy Segel-Moss, Chairperson of the St. Louis Blues Society