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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Winslow running for SPAH presidency
Winslow running for SPAH presidency
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WinslowYerxa
53 posts
Aug 30, 2011
9:43 AM
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I’ve decided to take the plunge and run for SPAH president. My vice presidential running mate is incumbent Vice President L. J. Atkison.
I have to say that at first I was not eager to take this on. Being SPAH president is a big job and it’s a volunteer job – plenty of prestige, plenty of headaches, and no dollars.
So why do it?
SPAH is still the best way for harmonica players and enthusiasts to connect, share, and enthuse over the harmonica. In the age of Facebook and Twitter, we can connect instantaneously with other harmonica players worldwide in a multiplicity of ways. Yet the face-to-face interaction that goes on at a SPAH convention is still the most fun, the most productive, and the most satisfying interactions we can have.
Where else under one roof will you find so many folks passionate and active in their love of the harmonica and so eager to share – the fans; the players of all ages, both amateur and professional; the manufacturers; the customizers and builders and repairers; the teachers, writers, bloggers and makers of videos; the dealers; and the builders of amplifiers and microphones and racks and cases?
I’ve been smitten with SPAH for the last 20 years and for the last few years have been active with the entertainment committee, the awards nomination committee, and the selection of and negotiation with hotels for future SPAH events. Once the convention starts, all the running around I do to help keep things running smoothly (not to mention the 7:30 AM board meetings every day) means I have far less time to jam, go to seminars, or hang out, but I get enormous satisfaction from helping to produce this great event.
President Tom Stryker has done magnificent work in creating the infrastructure that will ensure the organizational and financial health of SPAH. With his resignation effective August 2012, it’s important that SPAH has someone they know and trust who can continue that work, and who can find new ways to enlarge the circle while ensuring that existing members are happy with the direction of SPAH.
L. J. Atkison had intended to step away at the end of Tom Stryker’s term, and initially turned down my overtures (just as I had initially resisted encouragement to run for president). Likewise, Elizabeth Atkison had intended to step down as secretary and convention director. Replacing them would be a tall order, as they have been hardworking, highly capable, loyal, and dependable while tackling enormous and complex jobs that are vital to the functioning of SPAH. So I’m very pleased to welcome them as part of the team that I will be proposing to the SPAH electorate.
Serving SPAH is consistent with my belief in supporting the harmonica. However, I was reluctant to take on the job. But I was locked in a room and forced to listen to music by – errr, rather I mean to say, I was persuaded by other members of the SPAH board of directors who know my work. They saw qualities that they believed made me a good fit for the job, and convinced me that there was personal growth and challenge to make it worthwhile for me as an individual.
What will I do as President?
-- I’ll preserve what’s good – and I’ll listen to what SPAH members feel is good and important.
-- I’ll advance SPAH by seeking imaginative new ways to extend our reach and improve the SPAH experience for all members
-- I’ll do everything I can to keep SPAH financially safe.
-- I’ll ensure continued adherence to the highest standards of ethical behavior, the use of generally accepted accounting practices, and transparency and accountability in governance.
-- I’ll make changes that are prudent, while exploring and implementing new concepts, approaches, and opportunities wherever they offer a real benefit and can be implemented without danger to SPAH.
What will I not do as president?
-- I won’t create a special uniform, crown, sash, or turban, or make anyone address me as Your Excellency, or decree that everyone wear their shoes on the wrong foot every second Tuesday.
-- I won’t insist we hire my uncle Griswold or cousin Beulah any time SPAH has money to spend.
- -- I won’t try to sell you a religion, hair growth formula, vitamins, or insurance.
-- I won’t bet the farm on the latest “sure” thing.
Now, it may be that a better candidate will come along. And I welcome that. SPAH members deserve choices, and they deserve the best leadership they can have.
If you find that I’m the best candidate for the job, then I hope to work with you, and ask that you give me your confidence and your vote.
Winslow
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com
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kudzurunner
2669 posts
Aug 30, 2011
12:56 PM
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Thanks for spreading the word here, Winslow--and thanks again for putting me on the SPAH program this last time around. You've got my vote! You're a leader in the field of harmonica education: not just HARMONICA FOR DUMMIES, but, as I know, you've been tabbing out ferociously difficult solos (John Popper, for instance) for several decades now. You were leading the way long before ModernBluesHarmonica.com, YouTube, and all the other newbies were around. If there's anybody who deserves to lead SPAH these days, it's you. You've more than earned your chance.
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nacoran
4519 posts
Aug 30, 2011
7:40 PM
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I'd vote for you but I'm not allowed to vote. I've been convicted of felonies against harmonicas in fourteen states, three of them altered. I once shot a harmonica just to watch it die.
It's a shame you won't create a special uniform though. Maybe something with sequins and a discreet comb?
Anyway, thread bump.
:)
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honeydawg
40 posts
Aug 31, 2011
9:16 AM
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Okay, I'm finally going to join SPAH for the purpose of voting for you, Winslow.
In return, I'm still looking for HIP issue number five looool.
Best of luck, you'll be great
Howard P.
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HarpMan Freeman
186 posts
Aug 31, 2011
9:40 AM
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You are an excellent choice and you deserve to win.
Your dedication to the world of harmonica playing is evident.
Your understanding of the diversity of the harmonica world is broad and deep.
Thank you for committing to this pursuit.
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WinslowYerxa
54 posts
Aug 31, 2011
12:40 PM
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@honeydawg -
Love to see you at SPAH, but that will be too late to vote. Voting will be by mail from April thru July.
HIP No. 5 (Bill Clinton/Kenny Loggins cover, with Madcat peering in the White House window) went out in 1997. Not sure I still have any copies left. Been working on a PDF but the source file is damaged.
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MP
1822 posts
Aug 31, 2011
1:14 PM
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Yerxa as president? ca va sans dire...
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Diggsblues
971 posts
Aug 31, 2011
1:40 PM
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Winslow I think your the perfect choice.
You bridge the chromatic and the diatonic world.
Now you can see both instruments at jams
at SPAH that once were one or the other.
In order for SPAH to survive we need every style
of music in SPAH.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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joeleebush
337 posts
Aug 31, 2011
2:25 PM
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Winslow Yerxa, could you name two, please?
Thank you.
"I'llmake changes that are prudent, while exploring and implementing new concepts, approaches, and opportunities wherever they offer a real benefit and can be implemented without danger to SPAH."
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www.reverbnation.com/thejoeleebushbluesgroup
www.joeleebushshow.com
"If you think you can or if you think you can't...you are right"
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Diggsblues
972 posts
Aug 31, 2011
4:26 PM
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Here's one another jam called lounge.
More ballads, bossas, cool etc.
Bass and guitar light percussion.
Not the usual heavy swing,swing,swing.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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WinslowYerxa
55 posts
Aug 31, 2011
9:21 PM
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@joelessbush - names two of what? Changes, new concepts, etc?
I'm taking it slow. It's easy to talk up up all kinds of helium-inhaling ideas only to find out they're not practical.
Already people are proposing things to me that they feel would be wonderful. But are they desirable changes - i.e., would they transform the SPAH experience out of al recognition, or would they make it better while still keeping the flavor and texture that people have come to love about SPAH? CAn we afford them without gambling everything? I'm willing to listen and consider. But I'm going to think things through very carefully.
Politicians promise the earth to get elected, and seldom follow through on those promises, leading to disappointment and disillusionment.
The things they promise when campaigning may seem desirable at the time, but are seldom achievable (and sometimes, in the light of day, aren't really desirable, either). And often the real issues that need addressing are only visible from the inside, and may bear scant resemblance to the issues as perceived from the outside. I still have a lot to learn from the inside perspective, and only when I know that well will I know what the real priorities are, and what is truly achievable.
To be really effective in office, you need to take things as they come and recognize opportunities when they make things really achievable -and when you've had time to think about all the fallout from what may at first seem desirable.
I'm cautious. I'm an incrementalist, doing things a little at a time. That's not the same as doing nothing - quite the opposite.
So no, I won't make sweeping campaign promises. Or lead you on. Or paint myself into a corner.
Last Edited by on Aug 31, 2011 9:28 PM
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honeydawg
41 posts
Sep 01, 2011
10:17 AM
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@Winslow... ah, but joining now would enable me to vote, yes? You've always struck me as a level-headed guy, for a harmonica player :))
And I don't recall HIP (Harmonica Information Press) ever being mentioned here (relatively brief existence, years ago), but it was the smartest harmonica publication I've read. It would be great to have pdf's if you can manage it.
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