Subject: [Harp-L] Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Todd Slobin writes:
 
"Dear All:

I am one of the producers of the harmonica  documentary that we began 
shooting at the 40th Anniversary  convention.  We have been working hard to 
bring to life the  definitive harmonica documentary.

We have interviewed some of the  most influential harmonica players in the 
world  including:

Robert Bonfiglio
Delbert McClinton
Huey  Lewis
Clint Black
Delbert McClinton
Magic Dick
Charlie  Musslewhite
Joe Filisko
Lee Oskar
Stan Harper
John  Popper
Cham-Ber Huang
Jerry Portnoy
Mark Hummel
Mickey  Raphael
Howard Levy
Kim Wilson
Jason Ricci
Sam Myers
Rob  Papparozi
William Galison
Jimi Lee
Gary Primich
Madcat  Ruth

The above list is just a sample (if I left anyone off - my  apologies) and 
does not include all of the incredible unknown players  we have interviewed.

Just wanted to let everyone know that we are  still alive and kicking and 
hope to have something complete very  soon.  Also, we will be at SPAH and 
that Harmonica  Blow-Out.

Thanks for your support.

Todd  Slobin
harpdoc@xxxxxxxxxxx"
 
....Hi Todd. 
 
 I appreciate your response to my query to Bobbie about whether  or not your 
documentary was involved with the Frontier Airlines Ad.   (for the record, the 
Airline Ad is unconnected)....and our  further correspondence.  I'm very much 
looking forward to meeting you  at SPAH.  I have a feeling this particular 
SPAH will prove to be one  of the great ones....and it'll be all the better 
because you and Marc will  be there to document some of it for posterity...as well 
as Jason's Harp  Blow-off on Tuesday Night.  If it isn't obvious by now, 
Jason  Ricci is one of my favorite people in the world.  
 
Someone here had suggested we should "push" you and Marc to finish up  the 
documentary but I never think it's a particularly good idea to  attempt to force 
an artist  to rush their works of art if  they aren't feeling satisfied with 
the final product....especially since I  get the impression that you and Marc 
have been doing all of this  on your own dime without much input and would 
presumably not be answerable  to anyone by way of completing the project.  I'm 
still aghast at  the very thought....all along I had assumed that you were being 
funded in  some way, even though you've been reluctant to mention the 
details....but  it's only us Harmonica people listening <G>.....are you  really 
actually paying for everything out of your own  pockets?????
 
So to get footage of all of those names you list ....you've had to  fly or 
drive from place to place? (not to mention the costs of the  equipment, film, 
etc.?)
 
 I can't be the only one who'd like more  details....the "story behind the 
story".  I absolutely loved Jason's  account of his Euro tour from hell 
trip.....a similar account of what  you've had to go through in order to make this 
film might  make  very interesting reading for some people here.  
 
Frankly my first thought in this age of the internet if you are  indeed 
severely underfunded, is that you and Marc should set up a PayPal  account for 
those of us who would like to assist you to  continue the project (or those who 
just want to hurry it along)   :)  I'd be happy to go first.
 
I was actually quite pleased to learn that the documentary  wasn't 
completed...and that you'd be at SPAH this year, since I  joined this harmonica 
community in 2004 just after you were supposedly  done.  Now I get to witness first 
hand some of what will eventually  end up in the footage..and that I find 
exciting...especially Jason's  Blow-Off....the everyday happenings at the 
Conventions besides the Star  attractions, and hopefully some of the late-night Jams.    
 I hope others here find this of as much interest as do I.
 
Elizabeth