Board Update – October 2021
Board Update – October 2021
By Shelley Garrett
We hope everyone is excited about the projects that the CBA is working on. If you see anything that interests you, please reach out to us at cascadebluesstaff@gmail.com to join a committee!
Each month we will introduce you to another person serving on the board. This month we are showcasing Ron Johnson. So far this year, we have highlighted membership director Mike Todd, general secretary Marie Walters and at-large member Randy Murphy. Each person brings unique skills and perspectives. If you’ve missed reading about anyone, all the past articles can be found on the CBA website.
The board is committed to following all COVID protocols for any event we are involved in.
The membership meeting/concert this month will be at the Spare Room, 4830 NE 42nd Ave. Note the new start time at 6:30. Members are free, the general public is invited for $5. This is a 21-plus venue (though we are working with them to allow under 21). See the event write-up for more information, including the Spare Room COVID-19 entry requirements.
October events the CBA is cosponsoring, or presenting, are Oct. 22, Midnight at the Crossroads at the Echo Theater, and Oct. 15, NW Women in Blues (Sonny Hess, Julie Strange, Rae Gordon, Kathryn Grimm, Myrtle Brown, Leah Hinchcliff, and Ward Griffiths) at the Lovejoy Rooftop at the Botanist. See the event write-ups for more information and where to purchase tickets.
Remember, Sunday, Oct. 17, is Blues for Slim Lively, a benefit for CBA President Greg Johnson at the Crystal. Get tickets here or at Music Millennium. As of press time, the lineup is Curtis Salgado & Terry Robb, Ty Curtis Band with Steve Kerin & Too Slim, and Rich Layton & Trouble Town with guest April Brown. More info will be coming in a special eblast next week! Great prizes are in play, too — such as a two-week Mississippi Delta trip … including the King Biscuit Festival, dinner and lodging. This will be a limited raffle item. You will not need to be present to purchase a ticket or to win the trip. Read the email blast next week!
Planning is ramping up for “Mini Muddy Awards” on Nov. 3 at the Lovejoy Rooftop at the Botanist. The committee identified and the board approved 10 categories that we believe make sense (Paul deLay “Lifetime Achievement”, Virtual Livestream Performance, Virtual Live Stream Production, Venue, NW Event, Live Performance, NW Recording, National Recording, Dance Ambassador) and the George Page “Back What You Believe In” that is voted on by the Board. Music will be announced soon with all-star sets being put together by Rae Gordon and Ben Rice. The awards will include the months that would have been eligible for the 2020 awards, Sept. 1, 2019, through Aug. 31, 2021. Members will be voting in mid-October. The member newsletter and the CBA Facebook group will have ticket and reservation information soon.
Plans for the Holiday Party are in full swing, (committee members Robert Evans, Anni Piper and Jeanette Aglipay). We will again be at the Moose Lodge, 16411 NE Halsey, with music by Billy D and the Hoodoos, Nikki Jones, Fenix Rising and Los Demon Drivers. This is the only fundraiser we do for ourselves. Please let Jeanette or any board member know if you have anything to donate for the silent auction/raffle.
Other projects in the works (leads noted)
Mission Statement Update — Randy Murphy
Planning and Diversity — Brad Bleidt
Blues in the Schools — Robert Evans
Scholarships — Randy Murphy
Lovejoy Rooftop at the Botanist/Elevate Unity Collaboration — Brad Bleidt and Marie Walters
Membership Growth — Mike Todd
Officer Elections
It’s not too soon to think about running for a CBA office. All elected positions (president, vice president, membership director, general secretary, treasurer) are up for re-election. It’s time to pass the torch and add more diversity.
Job profiles can be found here. Intent to run and a short bio are due to Brad Bleidt at cascadebluesstaff@gmail.com by Sunday, Nov. 14, at 11:59 p.m. We will publish the remainder of the deadlines next month. We still have room for additional at-large board positions. If any of the initiatives above pique your interest, please join us in guiding the future of the CBA.
Be kind, stay safe, music is a healer.
