Open Letter to all supporters of the Americana Music events of CHS in 2008

Hello!
I am writing this e-mail to summarize what a great year it’s been of musical events around the theme of “Children’s Home Society of West Virginia’s Americana Music Series. All of you have contributed in many ways to support this effort, and I truly appreciate it, and thank you for not only supporting CHS but live music in the Mid Ohio Valley. These events are fun for me to put on, and despite their “hit or miss” nature as far as fund raisers, I think collectively they get our name out in the community, and hopefully, contribute in some small way to helping the live local music scene. As I summarize the events, it tires me out just thinking of everything that’s gone on!
In February, we had the 3rd annual Johnny Cash birthday tribute (The “Cash Bash”), followed by the “Whole Lotta Hank” Hank Williams Tribute in April. The summer brought a revived Woody Guthrie children’s music event. This fall we have had the 6th annual John Prine birthday tribute, and next week is the Neil Young Tribute. All of these events had great musician participation, which I truly appreciate, and value the friendships developed among these great folks. We added a Bob Dylan birthday tribute this year, in part, thanks to Todd Burge, who had held such an event with Mike Morningstar and others for several years previously. The venue these events have been held at moved around a lot this year, but thanks to all those club owners who hosted us. I’ve really enjoyed working with them, and trying to bring a festive change of pace event to these venues throughout the year.
Two new sorts of events were added this year: coffee house / listening room type settings for 5 events this year, at our Children’s Home Society store front at 1739 St. Mary’s Ave; and a “featured” out of town musical act, the Weedhawks, at the Front Row, this summer. The coffee houses; two performances by Kathleen Coffee, and individual shows with Jason Wilber, Don Baker, and Stone Road, were all well received (by unfortunately, mostly small audiences) as a nice venue to listen to music. The Weedhawks show, also featuring Todd Burge, Joseph Henry, and Nick Barry was a very well received, popular event in the summer.
Add to all these live music shows, an on-going “running” used vinyl record sale throughout the year; kept me very busy with promoting and taking care of details!
I’d particularly like to encourage you to attend the last event of the year, this Friday, November 7th at 8 pm at the 5th St. Pub in Parkersburg, the Neil Young tribute show. There is an enthusiastic line up of musicians ready to play songs celebrating the great work of Neil Young over his 40 years and counting career. His creative drive both musically, lyrically, and in his life, has not only created a huge fan base, but influenced countless other musicians. As an example, at this week’s Mountain Stage show, he is mentioned twice among the performers as having been a major influence. I know some that I am including on this e-mail letter have supported our Americana Music Series in other ways, than the tribute shows in local bars, but I hope you will continue to spread the word about these fun events, and encourage others to come on out for a good evening of music.
There are so many highlights to the year’s series, I can’t summarize them all, but here’s a start: Jonny and Ashlee Nutter’s enthusiastic support of all the events, but particularly the Cash Bash and Whole Lotta Hank shows; they bring the crowd out, and help build up a lot of buzz for these events! Jerry and Lisa Queen, and the fine group of musicians they brought to the Hank Williams tribute; Cory and JT doing the sound at most of these shows, and the hard work they put in, setting up all the different acts at the shows; Wayne Towner, for putting all the notices in the Free Time throughout the year, where many people first hear about the events; Jeremy Mayle and Todd Burge for those excellent performances at the Bob Dylan tribute that has been captured on some YouTube video; Nick Barry and Don Howerton for playing great children’s music (around Woody Guthrie’s theme) for 40 some children this summer; The Weedhawks and all, for putting on a great heat of the summer show; reconnecting with some folks, and making many new fans!
I will be conceptualizing and organizing ideas for 2009 very soon, and welcome any feedback, encouragement, suggestions, from any of you.