Board Update – September 2021

By Shelley Garrett

You may have noticed that this column has slowly been changing into something new.

Many people have told us that they don’t really know what the CBA is doing. With 10 active members currently on the board, there is a lot going on and in the planning stages.  Communicating these projects and initiatives is important for the organization. It may also serve to highlight areas that may interest new volunteers and future board members.

Each month we will introduce you to another person serving on the board. So far this year, we have highlighted Mike Todd, Membership Director, Marie Walters, General Secretary, and this month read about Randy Murphy, our longest-tenured member. Each person brings unique skills and perspectives. If you’ve missed reading about anyone, all the past articles can be found on the website.

We are also happy to welcome a new writer for Blue Notes, Kirk Anderson. Please read his short bio in the features section, and the articles on Allman-Betts and Too Slim that he wrote for their upcoming shows.

The board is committed to following all COVID protocols for any event we are involved in.

The membership meeting/concert this month with Tevis Hodge Jr. will be the last one at Artichoke Music. The CBA thanks Bob Howard for reaching out to us last year — this has been a great partnership! Each act that has performed there has a professional video from their performance posted to YouTube and sent to them the day after their show … funded by you, the CBA membership. In October we move to the Spare Room, with a new start time at 6:30 p.m.

We are getting close to the 2021 Journey to Memphis competition on 9/11 at Artichoke Music. A limited amount of tickets are being sold — see the article by Marie Walters for details.

Upcoming events that the CBA is cosponsoring in September are Allman-Betts 9/9 at the Roseland Theater, then Duffy Bishop Band 9/24, and Too Slim and the Taildraggers/Tevis Hodge Jr. 9/29, both at the Alberta Rose Theatre. Members can read the e-blast for the special code to get $2 off admission, either online or at the door. We have tickets to give away for Duffy and Too Slim, either at the show, or via instructions in the September email blast. In the first of a series, Blues Nights at the Lovejoy Rooftop (at the Botanist), join us on 9/24 for the Beacon St. Titans.

Save the date for the “Mini Muddys” Wednesday 11/3, at the Lovejoy Rooftop at the Botanist.  The committee identified and the board approved 10 categories (including some new ones) that we believe make sense.  The awards will include the months that would have been eligible for the 2020 awards. Members will begin voting in mid-September.

Remember, Sunday, Oct. 17 — Blues for Slim Lively, a benefit for CBA President Greg Johnson at the Crystal. Get tickets here or at Music Millennium.

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. Job profiles can be found here. Intent to run and a short bio are due to Brad Bleidt at cascadebluesstaff@gmail.com by Sunday 11/14 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.

Stay safe … be well … music is a healer.