Re: [Harp-L] Subject: Al Smith/ Robert Bonfiglio



Oh Betty, that's a great idea. I had had a vision at one of the dixieland festivals that I frequently attend. What they do there is have a sponsorship program. People chip in and back bands OR individuals. Some money goes to bands who are a little too close to the wallet to make trips around the country. Meanwhile they are good players and right up there with the best BUT are only 'Internationally famous' in their own areas.
There are also individuals who have a lot to offer and these too are recipients.


The problems I DID run into were (basically, but not limited TO:)

Trad jass (minstrel, rag-time, dixie style, traditional, swing) deal with a genre and not an individual instrument. Since they encompass clarinets, cornets (my old hatchet), trumpet, trombone, banjo, bass horn, piano, etc., the fan base can be much larger and with it comes the 'swells'. The attendance is in the thousands (rather than hundreds). Swells are the people who tend to have blue/white hair (due to the era they are from), are older, professional, well heeled, comfortable. Doctors, dentists, lawyers, stock brokers, business owners, corp presidents, etc. Even congressmen.

You would be surprised as to how many wealthy professionals are ALSO musicians. They never followed it professionally because they made too much at their 'day' job, but are, nonetheless, exceptional. THEY support their love....trad jazz.

I see the harmonica world as a much smaller niche as we are dealing with basically ONE instrument and not a complete 'style'. Considering the 'nicheability' of the harmonica, I feel we get an attendance inordinate to the number of us that actually exist. I would love to be wealthy and endow a harmonica super fund, but alas, I am the run of the mill retiree back porch player. If, however, such a fund DOES sprout, I would be happy to donate a K or 2.

Your suggestion is a read out of my mind, and I always knew you weren't just another pretty face :) (missed my cousin Frank, nephews Jerl, Berl, & John, and grand nephew John jr.) Hope you're all OK.

kisses & hugs......smokey-joe


On Aug 23, 2006, at 10:00 PM, BETTY WELCH wrote:


Perhaps the submitting of a name should come from an acquaintance or friend who knows the circumstances and could verify without having to divulge too much personal info. This would be an act of faith....realizing it can be abused from time to time.
But, I can think of one such talent in the San Antonio area who would be blown away by such an experience. Not only that, SPAH would receive a special reward by the natural talent he possess as a blues harp player. A lot of talented musicians just don't make the money to reap the benefits of a SPAH experience.
It could make a huge difference in the lives of many people.


Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
  Already suggested that Betty. A super fund to help people attend. It
went nowhere as no one was willing to ask personal questions about a
person's financial status. In afterthought, it WOULD be tricky, eh?

On Aug 22, 2006, at 9:41 PM, BETTY WELCH wrote:

Perhaps SPAH should start a scholarship fund for those who are not financially able to attend. In this way, we could spread the joy to those less fortunate. Just a thought.......

Betty



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