PRESIDENTIAL MUSINGS

Last month Bek Jensen (featuring Lachy Doley) and supported by The Barren Spinsters went off like a bomb .

Blues Piano Night featuring Carolyn “Pinecone” Packer, John Black, Ali Penney and Leo Joseph on the 17^th November also drew a crowd.

Last month’s Jam was hosted by the reformed Bluetone Specials in their new 5 piece lineup (Matt Fitzgerald, John Van Buuren, Steve Hartnett, Doug Curry, Dave McCrae). We had a ball. Unfortunately, numbers were down a little probably due to the surfeit of blues related and other events around town at the moment.

Our Xmas Party Jam is coming up this Sunday 10^th December at 2pm and will be hosted by the fabulous Continental Robert Susz & his Blues Party. In Robert’s own words “It will be a BoOgALoOin', in The Alley, BLUES Kinda Feelin!! Our Marymead Giving Tree is ready to receive unwrapped presents or Xmas food items for those less fortunate; or you can donate directly (donation slips will be on the tables). K2 has put together some great raffle prizes and the Harmonie German Club has kindly donated a dinner for two (to the value of $100) at Knuckles Restaurant and a $50 bar tab card for our Xmas Hamper 1^st prize. Also, there’ll be a CBS members LUCKY DOOR PRIZE (must be present to claim this prize.)

Great news from the Cooma Busking Championships. The Blues Kids (Bryn & Charlie Child) won their section, Manchild & The Blues Kids won the Best Band Award, and Typical Drew was given a Special Judges Award. Congratulations guys!

On a more serious note, Rick Bamford, stalwart of the Jam Workshops for so many years, has decided to finish up and concentrate on his gigs down the south coast.  He will be missed by all of us especially the workshoppers. His last workshop will be this Wednesday 6^th December.

Thank you Rick for all you’ve put into that programme and all the best for the future with your performances and (I’m told) your recording plans.

So don’t forget, even though there are no jams in January, Bucky’s Big Birthday Bash Charity Gig is on the 13^th January (full lineup just announced – see page 4 for details) and Walter Trout (USA) with guest support James Southwell is on the 30^th January.

On behalf of myself and the CBS Committee I’d like to wish all our members a safe and Happy Festive Season.

Meanwhile…

“Gonna move up to the country paint my mailbox blue” (Taj Mahal)

Regards

Your President

Steve Hartnett

Woke up one morning in July and looked at the CBS blues programme.

Auspiciously the first gig was Karen Lee Andrews. I couldn’t be there but the plaudits were unanimous.

July Blues Jam was hosted by the Roger Bone Band. They bluesed themselves up and came out and delivered a fabulous set that had everyone fixated or dancing -sometimes both.

And just when you though the month couldn’t get any better we had the International Blues Music Day show. A highlight of every year this was no exception. Both stages were well attended and the music was fabulous.

I want to thank the Committee, the volunteers and particularly K2 for a fabulous and smooth event.

Coming up next month is the AGM and, without this meeting every year there is no committee and no CBS.

This year the committee has reviewed our aging constitution and will be putting our recommended changes to the membership.

All positions are up for election (President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Officer Musician’s Representative, Digital Media Officer, and the new position of Volunteer Coordinator. The Committee will have some General Committee positions as well.

The proposed changes to the constitution, the AGM agenda and other documents will be circulated soon.

We have a request for volunteers from the Harmonie German Club for their upcoming Oktoberfest celebration on the weekend of 27-29 October. (see page 11 for details)

Hope to see you all at this month’s Jam which will be hosted by the fabulous Ali Penney and the Canberra Treasury.

Members: please take note of your discount code for all our upcoming events – MEMBER24

Meanwhile…

“Bright lights, big city, went to my baby’s head” (Jimmy Reed)Regards

Your President

Steve Hartnett