Noodles
248 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:18 AM
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I wish I could have.
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TheoBurke
68 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:23 AM
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Not me. Couldn't afford it, I am afraid.
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Ted Burke
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-VPUDjK-ibQ&feature=relmfu
ted-burke.com
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Joe_L
1977 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:45 AM
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Not me. I could afford it but i have zero interest in being around that many harmonica players.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2012 10:44 AM
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Hondo
180 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:52 AM
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Not me. Still have to work and the rest of my vacation time is going toward another trip to the beach and the "King Biscuit Blues Festival". I would like to go to SPAH when I am more accomplished and could make better use of it.
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Buzadero
998 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:51 AM
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Not this year. Scheduling conflict.
I'm leaving tomorrow for a 2,800 mile offroad motorcycle ride from the Mexican Border to the Canadian Border up the spine of the Continental Divide.
Yes, I will have a small kit of harps with me.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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Frank
990 posts
Aug 14, 2012
10:44 AM
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The only SPA I was able to got to was the YMCA...I'm in my vegetable garden today and up to my ears in tomatoes, lettuce, turnips, green beans, zucchini, collards and chard...
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HawkeyeKane
1133 posts
Aug 14, 2012
10:53 AM
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I did not go to SPAH.
A: Still not a member
B: Texas is not reachable for me presently
C: The Illinois State Fair is running now, and those are some of the biggest gigs for the local community
D: I think I'd probably find myself feeling a bit out of place among such phenomenal harp players in attendance.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Tuckster
1114 posts
Aug 14, 2012
11:10 AM
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I blew my budget on HCH3. Would have loved to go.
Hawkeye= You don't need to be a member to attend.
Last Edited by on Aug 14, 2012 11:11 AM
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dougharps
250 posts
Aug 14, 2012
12:41 PM
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After attending HCH III in May, and due to other expenses this year, I couldn't afford to attend 2012 SPAH. I am saving gig money for next year when SPAH is in St. Louis, 200 miles or so from where I live. Next year is the 50th anniversary for SPAH.
I went to SPAH in 2008 in St. Louis, and 2010 in Minneapolis. It is harmonica overload, and a wonderful experience. There are harmonica players and styles of all kinds, including blues, jazz, bluegrass, and harmonica ensembles. There is jamming everywhere. There is an older crowd that is focused more on chromatic and is less blues centric than HCH, but there are at least two blues jams a day, with blues performances as well. You can hear amazing professionals, gifted amateurs, and players of all levels, using diatonic, chromatic, chord, and bass harmonicas. There is impromptu jamming everywhere in the halls and in conference rooms. There are workshops of all kinds, for all styles, and all types of harmonica. I highly recommend going to at least one, if you can put the money together.
However, SPAH is expensive when you add room expenses, food, and the gear from vendors. If you have to pay a lot to travel to SPAH, that adds a lot to the cost. There is a discount for hotel costs for SPAH. If you share a room, you could save money. You could come Thursday instead of Tuesday, and save two nights' hotel cost. During the 5 nights I stayed each time (Tues. until leaving Sat.)I probably slept in my room about 4 1/2 hours a night. The last two days each time I attended, I had to fit in a little sleep after workshops and before supper due to exhaustion.
Much as I would like to attend each year, I find SPAH too expensive to go every year. HCH is more affordable despite driving a longer distance, since you can camp for $10 a night and it only lasts 3 nights. And it is more blues focused.
I will try to go to both next year!
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Doug S.
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HawkeyeKane
1135 posts
Aug 14, 2012
12:48 PM
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@Doug
Get in touch with me come SPAH time next year. It being so close, maybe we could carpool.
BTW, did you get my email about Blue Monday on August 27th?
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Hawkeye Kane
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LIP RIPPER
616 posts
Aug 14, 2012
1:27 PM
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Buz, what are you ridin? XR650L?
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boris_plotnikov
750 posts
Aug 14, 2012
2:36 PM
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Can't afford myself flight to America and back...
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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Sarge
237 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:00 PM
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Hey Frank, I sure wish you were my neighbor, but I have a feeling that you are a long way from KS.
I'm a member of SPAH, but didn't go, too close to the Bean Blossom Blues Fest and the bean is a great time. I wouldn't miss it.
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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Jehosaphat
278 posts
Aug 14, 2012
9:32 PM
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From NZ,not likely.
But it is on my bucket list for one day when we go on our world tour, starting in LA
As long as there are shops around the boss will be happy ^
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Frank
993 posts
Aug 15, 2012
4:28 AM
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Sarge good morning - I always have over load for neighbors and friends...Because of the very warm winter and hot spring and summer my "fig plants" are producing a huge harvest and the one little neighbor girl loves to come over with her dad and feast on them fresh off the tree,she smiles with every bite :)
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paulbunyn
39 posts
Aug 15, 2012
7:39 AM
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I gotta stay home! Saving for a Skype Harmonica Lesson and HCH4, (and maybe another harp!)
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Harptime
32 posts
Aug 15, 2012
8:13 AM
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Didn't go for the first time in a long time. I will surely miss it. Looks like an incredible mix of talent sharing their stuff. Bottom line is it's nice to be there if you can afford it but if you can't it isn't the end of the world. The best part by far at SPAH is the informal jamming. Finding or creating a local jam (not an open mic) will really open your eyes, ears and soul to the experience of "community musical interaction" This internet thing is also an incredible gift.
The SPAH convention is a one of a kind, top of the heap, world class harmonica event. If you can afford it....you can't afford to miss it. If you can't afford it... blow where ever you go.
Warren Bee
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Warren Bee
Marketing & Harmonica Raconteur
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undertheradar
16 posts
Aug 15, 2012
10:33 AM
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I wish I could've gone. Last year they were 35 miles away in VA Beach and I couldnt make it due to starting a new job. I did make the blowout though. One day I will get a chance to go and participate. I want some bluegrass tutoring bad.
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The Gloth
677 posts
Aug 16, 2012
1:20 AM
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I didn't, cause I live in Europe.
Maybe, at some point, I'll take a vacation in the south of U.S., like Louisiana, and make it to Hill County as well.
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The Iceman
402 posts
Aug 16, 2012
6:51 AM
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Yes, it is the "hang" that has the most value.
I used to love going to SPAH pre-Tate, as it was formatted to really offer a lot of world class experience as part of the program, with the "hang" and jamming in the halls in the background as an added bonus.
Now, the "hang" and jamming seem to be the main draw, with a lot of interesting seminars, shows, teach ins, etc, as a background.
This was the Buckeye model and it does have a lot to offer.
I just prefer a world class event myself.
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The Iceman
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