Acoustic Master Lightnin’ Wells Books Several Oregon Shows

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Lightnin’ Wells Books

Lightnin’ Wells BooksNorth Carolina native Mike “Lightnin’” Wells uses a dynamic style he’s developed over his thirty years to breathe new life into the vintage tunes of early twentieth-century America. Wells learned the harmonica at an early age and then using blues and folk recordings, taught himself the guitar. He toured and played with many of the original blues men and women of the Piedmont region of the Eastern United States, and developed a respect for their plight and the social reality of black Americans living in the Jim Crow South and post civil rights era. Lightnin’ remains an insatiable student and researcher, studying the various forms of American roots music from bygone eras. He plays a number of instruments besides the guitar including the harmonica, ukulele, mandolin, and banjo and he is an educator who has worked at many colleges, universities, music camps and has held a position as a board member with the Music Maker Relief Foundation.

Lightnin’ Wells travels to the Portland area in late December/early January for a handful of events.

On Saturday, January 6, he will be performing at Artichoke Music, 2087 SE Powell in Portland. Show time is 8:00 pm. Lauren Sheehan opens. Admission is $15.00.

On Sunday, January 7, Wells heads out to Newberg for a show at the Newberg Music Center, 514 E 1st St at 4:00 pm. Contact the venue for further information including admission.

Then on Saturday, January 13, Wells will be at the Portland Old-Time Gathering at the Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St. in the Crystal Room East on the second floor. He will be presenting a Ukulele Workshop from 12:00-12:50, then performing a concert from 7:00-7:50 pm.   For more information about this four-day event with multiple musicians, visit http://bubbaguitar.com /gathering/.

Just This One – Blues Musical Featuring the Music of Paul deLay Returns for Three Shows

Music of Paul deLay

Music of Paul deLayThe new blues musical Just This One, featuring two dozen songs by local hero Paul deLay, takes the stage for three performances at Michelle’s Piano Company this January 27-28. Featuring a cast filled by a Muddy Award-winning group, including LaRhonda Steele, Lisa Mann, Saeeda Wright, Ben Rice, Hank Shreve, Carlton Jackson, and Dave Fleschner. They performed deLay’s songs last January at the Alberta Rose Theatre and then on the Mainstage at July’s Waterfront Blues Festival.

The script is by CBA member Wayne Harrel, and tells the story of Moe DuPree, a jail-bound bluesman whose final gig is interrupted by three women come looking for a piece of the musical action and, perhaps, him. Harrel worked closely with the deLay family and band to craft this original theatrical show. “It’s not the Paul deLay story,” he says, “but it is based on his music and he poured his life into his songs, so there’s definitely a resemblance.”

The two-hour musical performs at 7:30pm Saturday, January 27, and two shows on Sunday, January 28 at 4:00pm and 7:30pm, at Michelle’s Piano Company, 600 SE Stark. Tickets are $20.00 through fertilegroundpdx.org and $25.00 at the door. All ages welcome.

Two Opportunities To Catch Blues Music Award Nominee Sugaray Rayford

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Sugaray Rayford

The Sugaray Rayford Band is made up of world-class musicians. Ralph Carter on bass, Gino Matteo on guitar, Leo Dombecki on keyboards, Lavelle Jones on drums, Allan Walker on sax, and Gary Bivona on trumpet. With the onstage prowess of Sugaray he needs to have a stellar band to keep up with him, and with this group he certainly has just that.

Sugaray returns to Oregon for two shows in March, the first taking place on Friday, March 17 at the Double Mountain Brewing Company in Hood River. He will be headlining the brewery’s 10th Anniversary Party in the big tent, located at 8 4th Street. And don’t forget that it is St. Patrick’s Day, too, so make sure to wear green and celebrate. For more information, contact Double Mountain at 541-387-0047 for admission and times.

On Saturday, March 18, Sugaray and the band will return to what they have called their absolute most favorite venue to play, The Birk. Located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld, the band refers to the place as a second home and always makes sure that it is a stop any time that they tour through the Northwest. Show time is 7:00 pm, with tickets available in advance through Tickettomato.com for $25.00. Purchase them early if you choose to go, Sugaray always sells out at The Birk.

Raphael Wressnig & Igor Prado

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Raphael Wressnig & Igor Prado

The Soul Connection
Pepper Cake

Raphael Wressnig & Igor PradoAustrian-based Hammond B3 organist Raphael Wressnig is an extremely versatile player who was influenced by people like Jimmy Smith, Booker T Jones, Joe Zawinul, Jimmy McGriff, and Jack McDuff. With twenty discs under his belt, he has been capturing the attention of audiences around the world for the past twenty years with a variety of musical approaches that he molds into his own tasty version of funky, soulful and jazzy blues. He recently traveled to Brazil to join forces with Blues Music Award nominated guitarist Igor Prado for one delicious outing of funky instrumentals and soulful R&B numbers for the album The Soul Connection. The disc is a splendid mix of original material alongside great interpretations of classic pieces from artists including the likes of Tyrone Davis, Don Robey, Hugh Masekela, Little Willie John, and Otis Clay.

Both Wressnig and Prado deliver captivating solos throughout the recording, not overdone but tastefully arranged and delivered. They’re backed by Prado’s rhythm section of Rodrigo Mantovani on bass and Yuri Prado on drums, keeping the pace right on track. Horns are perfectly intertwined with trumpeter Sidmar Viera and Blues Music Award nominee Sax” Gordon Beadle on tenor and baritone saxophones.

There are a number of great instrumentals peppered throughout the disc, including several remarkable originals like “No-La-Fun-Ky” which draws to mind the funky sound of The Meters, the jazzy romp of “The Face Slap Swing No. 5” alongside covers of Hugh Masekela’s “Grazing In The Grass” and Southern hymn-like approach on Wayne Raney’s “Why Don’t You Haul Off And Love Me.”

But where the album really shines is with the great vocal guests that they’ve brought into the fold. David Hudson stands tall with his take on Tyrone Davis’ “Turning Point” and Leon Beal also delivers a superb take on Don Robey’s “Don’t Cry No More.” But the true star on this disc aside from Wressnig and Prado is without doubt Wee Willie Walker who handles the singing on five tracks. His take on Otis Clay’s “Trying To Live My Life Without You” opens the disc and he shows that he is a natural foil for the musicians. All of his numbers are highlights and prove that this vocalist who re-emerged on the blues scene in 2015 was one of the most welcome come-backs of the decade.

The Soul Connection is a terrific melding of European, Brazilian and American musicians. It is a prime example of music as a universal language, especially in the hands of pure talent as it is here. Pick up a copy of The Soul Connection, you’re going to find yourself dancing along. The outcome of this recording proved so successful for Wressnig and Prado that they have recently released it as a twin pack including a live performance of the songs on the second disc.

Total Time: 50:22

Trying To Live My Life Without You Baby / Young Girl / Suffering With The Blues / Turning Point / No-La-Fun-Ky / Home At Last / Turnip Greens / My Love Is / The Face Slap Swing No. 5 / Grazing In The Grass / Don’t Cry No More / Heartbreak / Why Don’t You Haul Off And Love Me

What’s on Tap for December’s General Membership Meeting …

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Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Street, Portland
Wednesday, December 7 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00 (NOTE: THIS WILL INCREASE TO $5.00 IN JANUARY 2017)
Opening Acoustic Set – David Brothers
Second Electric Set – The Pining Hearts

It’s December everybody, which means this is one of the most important membership meetings of the year as we will be holding the election to determine who will hold the officer positions for your Cascade Blues Association’s Board of Directors. Make sure that you bring your current membership card to receive a ballot to cast your choices.

Aside from this once-a-year occurrence, we’re still going to have a night filled with friends and music, and we’ll be offering two sets featuring acts that we are sure to both entertain you and surprise you. And yet there is something else that is truly special about this month. It is the CBA’s 30th anniversary, noting the month that the original founders filed papers with the State creating the organization as a non-profit business promoting, supporting, and preserving the blues and blues-related music. Thanks to all of you for helping keep the CBA alive for all these years.

David Brothers press photoOpening the meeting will be a set by David Brothers, a critically acclaimed entertainer and composer, who combines urban folk and blues to create a sound distinctively his own. Playing his original material, David mixes the influences of John Coltrane, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Django Reinhart, and John Fahey in his technique, style, and approach. He first began performing professionally as a teenager in Fort Worth, Texas, inspired by the likes of Leon Rouche (Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys) and Dave Milsap (Delbert McClinton’s band). Following his move to Portland, Brothers was the recipient of the Cascade Blues Association’s Christopher Mesi Memorial Scholarship. Brothers has performed with many of the Pacific Northwest’s most elite musicians and has released several solo and group albums over the years that have earned praise by critics, DJs and fans.

Joining David Brothers for his set will be bassist Rob Busey, who has worked over the years with acts like the Ken DeRouchie Band, Al Perez, and The Newport Symphony. He has also performed with Miss America Katie Harman, Tommy Tutone, Judy Collins, The Vancouver Symphony and The Oregon Chambers Players. Busey’s rock solid bass work will surely enhance Brothers exquisite guitar playing.

For the second set of the night we welcome a newer act in the area, The Pining Hearts. They are a psych-rock band out of Portland, OR and Austin, TX featuring Kivett Bednar from Land of the Living and more recently Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers alongside Eddie Steele from the progressive funk band Entendre Entendre. The pair started jamming in late 2015, and The Pining Hearts officially became a band in March of 2016. The group has appeared at the Alberta Street Pub and Twilight Cafe to sold-out crowds. The originals coming out of the group are rhythmic and upbeat, but in the same breath have a dark surf vibe that leaves you thinking of the ocean at night. Yet you also know that with Bednar’s background there will be a deep bluey approach as well. The group is currently working on a new EP that is scheduled for release in early.

We’ll do our regular give-aways, announcements and winner-take-all CD raffle throughout the night, and before everything is over we’ll let you know who your new officers will be for 2017. Please join us in the very exciting night. It is always so much better when we have so many friends and blues fans with us every month.

Bandstand: December 2016

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Bandstand

Lloyd Jones

Yes, it’s holiday season and I’m delighted to spend it with special friends (like you) at Jimmy Mak’s  Saturday, December, 17. Santa may drop in for a minute to sing with his sweet angels: Teresa James, LaRhonda Steele, and Lisa Mann. Don’t miss this one!

After the New Year Teresa and I will head south to Join Delbert McClinton’s “Sandy Beaches” cruise January 5-13. Then up to Canada in February. Yippes, it’s gonna be a crazy year already!!

 Lloyd Jones

“Groove Merchant”

www.lloydjonesmusic.com

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The Thunder Brothers

Hey Thunderheads,

We would like to thank the Cascade Blues Association for awarding the Muddy Waters Award for “Best New Act” to The Thunder Brothers this year. The CBA provides a central hub for this amazing music community that we have here in Portland. Thank you CBA board and members for all that you do to keep this music that we all love thriving. It takes a village to raise an idiot, or something like that, and we, The Thunder Brothers, have our own amazing village. Thank you Thunderheads for your endless and enthusiastic support, and thank you Andree and Walt for all that you do to keep this storm raging. Congratulations to our fellow nominees and all of the Muddy Award winners this year.

We want to send a big Thunderthanks out to Dr Jane Manning KBOO (Portland OR), Squrl Music KMSW (Hood River and The Dalles OR), and The Mighty Mouth Blues show NWCZ (Tacoma WA) for spinning The Thunder Brothers EP. Send us an email or facebook message if you hear us playing on another station.

Greg Johnson has written a deluge of a review of The Thunder Brothers EP that was published in the November edition of the BluesNotes. You can read that review here…http://www.thethunderbrothersmusic.com/press2.html. Thank you Greg for your kind words.

There is a winter storm warning for The Trails End Saloon in Oregon City OR on December 9th. The Thunder Brothers will bring on a holiday storm with Jr. Thunder Ben Rice opening the set with his lightning fast acoustic riffs. This is a CBA sponsored event so CBA members will receive a discount at the door. Just present your membership card. Reservations are highly recommended for this event. The show starts at 8:30. The Trails End Saloon, 1320 Main St, Oregon City, (503)656 3031.

As always, you can check for Thunder storms in your area, order Thunderwear, and get the latest storm news on our web site http://thethunderbrothersmusic.com. And if you haven’t done it already, drop by The Thunder Brothers facebook page and give us a like. Http://facebook.com/thethunderbrothers.

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Billy D & The Hoodoos

Hello bluz lovers It’s finally here, our first CD, Somethin’s Wrong, came out almost six years ago and has done very well for us. Our New CD, Overnight Success, will be released on New Year’s Eve at The Trails End Saloon in Oregon City and we’re thinking it will be every bit as good as its predecessor. An actual old school straight blues song on this one, a handful of bluzrockers, a sweet ballad, and a bunch of slide guitar rave-ups. Music and dancing to commence about 8:30pm. Please c’mon out and dance into 2017 with us and our new CD. We so appreciate all the support over the last few years since we’ve been in PDX…best damn blues town anywhere!!!

See you soon and keep rockin’ my friends!!!

Billy D

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Strange Tones

Season’s Greetings Music Lovers!

We’re very excited to announce that we’re continuing the Crime-A-Billy Christmas tradition this year with two shows, and we’ll be featuring a brand new Strange Tones vintage holiday TV special, “A Mysterious Encounter on Crime-A-Billy Mountain”. This short film kicks off a festive evening of live music, multimedia entertainment, original video backdrops, and unbridled merriment!

Joining us in the festivities will be our partners, the lovely Volcano Snow Vixens and a large cast of top-notch musicians, along with a variety of Crime-A-Billy Christmas characters. Yes, yes, keep your eyes and ears tuned in for the likes of Fiddlin’ Jim Toussaint, Randy Yearout, Tracey Fordice, Jim Wallace, Elvin Alfred Priestly, giant gingerbread men and nutcrackers, a jolly fellow who likes to wear red, and more.

Along with our many guests, this multimedia show is sprinkled with treats and surprises that just might give you a refreshing, warm and fuzzy feeling inside. At least, that’s what has been reported to us by previous Crime-A-Billy Christmas show attendees! We especially like this quote that we found on the website Evensi: “Incredible show…song, dance, choreography…should play to 5,000 people at $50/each…it’s that good! Reliving it now with Christmas CD.”

At any rate, we like playing more intimate venues for this particular event and are happy to have a show at Duff’s Garage on Dec. 9 and another show at the Skyway in Zigzag on Dec. 17. The Duff’s show will have advance tickets available at ticket tomato.com, and we’d like folks to consider bringing two cans of food for Oregon Food Bank. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, and there will be a $2 discount for card carrying CBA members.

Sending a very Happy Holidays to everyone!

Guitar Julie, Andy Strange, Suburban Slim, & Andy Gauthier

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David Kahl

I’d like to thank you all for honoring me with Muddy Awards for Bass and Lifetime Achievement. It’s been nearly 50 years since I first publicly performed and there are times when I can definitely feel it. I’d like to think that you aren’t recognizing what I do, so much as what I’ve tried to do and why. For this, I thank you, but I’d rather have your help than to have your praise.

During the course of my career, I’ve seen a lot of changes in both the music business and in society, the vast majority not good. In the face of adversity, the response of this community, musicians and fans, alike, has been affirming. We have pulled together to help others in need; you’ve even done so for me and my wife, Lynn, but the question remains — what can we do to help others, especially struggling, but talented musicians, even as we help ourselves? How do we relieve their daily burden, allowing them to focus their attention and talents to the gifts that they offer to rest of us? For artists, it’s getting tougher to make a living here in Portland, let alone to try and get by. I personally know of too many who have had to rely on not only benefits and crowdfunding, but on social services and second jobs, who have had to drastically change their living situations, verging on homelessness, who are several paychecks away from losing it all, or who have just given up and chucked it all in. Portland now stands the real chance of losing the creative forces, the community that has traditionally defined its character and a key reason for its livability.

It takes more than just wanting things to change for the better. It takes creative thinking, hard work, and, where resources are limited, resourcefulness. Every problem implies a solution. The more complex the problems, the more creative the solution must be. With this in mind, I’ve put together a plan, the Creative Cooperative Program, which holistically addresses a wide range of issues, from housing, to education, food insecurity, health and wellness, work spaces, business development and operations, and a whole slew of others. Modeled on a variation of food pods, these cultural pods would have high impact in a small footprint, set up on sites in several neighborhoods, plug their educational expertise into local schools, and create after school, weekend, and summer programs for area youth. Musicians and their families may have needs, but they are not needy; they’re a resource.

This is what I’m asking of you – help to make this a reality. Then I can feel like I’ve actually earned my award.

And, while I’m asking, please help support venues and bands. A couple gigs that happen to be pretty important to me are at Blackwell’s, on Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30pm, with Soul Cookin’ – Lloyd Jones, Brian Foxworth, and special guests – and on Sundays, 5:00-8:00pm,  with the Bayou Boyz – Mark Shark Schatzkamer, Steve Kerin, and Brian Foxworth. Of course, I’m playing bass.

David Kahl

 

CBA Bylaws – Amended Dec. 2021

Cascade Blues Association, Many Opportunities for CBA Volunteers

CBA Bylaws – Amended Dec. 2021

As ratified by the Membership on 12-16-2021

    Pursuant to the provisions of the Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Act (the “Act”), the Members adopt the following 2016 Restated Bylaws, which shall supersede the heretofore existing Bylaws and all amendments thereto:

ARTICLE 1

Purpose

1.1    The Corporation is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute (the “Tax Code”).

1.2    The purpose of this Corporation is to provide for the preservation, promotion and enhancement of blues music, on a nonprofit basis consistent with the provisions set forth in the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation.

1.3   Subject to the express limitations and restrictions contained in this Article 1and in Article 2 below, the Corporation may engage in any lawful activity for which corporations may be organized under the Act.

ARTICLE 2

Restrictions

2.1     No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its Directors, officers, or other private persons, except that the Corporation may pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and may make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes.

2.2   No substantial part of the activities of the Corporation shall consist of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except to the extent permissible under Section 501(h) of the Tax Code.  The Corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

2.3     The Corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by (a) a corporation exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code, or (b) a corporation to which contributions are deductible under Section 170(c)(2) of the Tax Code.

ARTICLE 3

Corporate Offices

3.    The Corporation shall have such offices as the Board of Directors may designate.

ARTICLE 4

Membership

4.1     The Corporation shall have Members as that term is defined in the Act.

4.2     Except by reason of nonpayment of dues, no Member may be expelled or suspended, and no membership may be terminated or suspended by the Board of Directors except pursuant to a procedure which is fair and reasonable taking into consideration all of the relevant facts and circumstances.

4.2.1     Such procedure shall provide:

(a)     Not less than fifteen (15) days prior notice of the expulsion, suspension or termination and the reasons therefore; and

(b)     An opportunity for the Member to be heard by the Board of Directors, orally or in written/email form, not less than five days before the effective date of the expulsion, suspension or termination.

4.2.2     Any written notice sent to the member must be sent by first class or certified mail to the last address of the Member shown on the Corporation’s records.

4.2.3     Members may only be expelled, suspended or terminated upon a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

4.3     No person shall exercise any rights of membership if that person’s membership dues are not paid in full.

ARTICLE 5

Membership Meetings

5.1   Nomination of Candidates. It shall be the duty of the CBA Nominating Committee to nominate candidates for Directors to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors for the ensuing one-year term. The general membership shall be informed that the Committee is seeking suggestions for nominations by notification in BluesNotes, email, and social media. All members of the Corporation are eligible for nomination. Additional nominations may be submitted to the Committee by petition of any five members of the Board of Directors, or any thirty members of the Corporation, up until ten weeks prior to the election.

5.2   Voting Process. Whenever the Board, the Nominating Committee, or the Corporation is required by these Bylaws to distribute a ballot, notification, or other document, an instrument or communication to the membership, or notify the membership of any matter or action, such distribution or notification may be through the most current email address listed for a member in the Corporation’s membership records, except that such distribution or notification may not be by email (but shall be by US Mail) to any member who has not been notified in person or by US Mail that he or she has the option of receiving communications and notifications by US Mail or to any person who has elected that option.

5.2.1   Ballot Creation. Whenever the Board of Directors shall decide that a question submitted for its decision is of such importance that it should be submitted to a vote of the Corporation, the Board shall: submit to the General Secretary the question, in writing and formatted and worded precisely as it is to be finally presented. The Board of Directors shall then direct the General Secretary to include such question on the regular ballot for comment or direction. Or, if the Board should order such a question to be printed included on the ballot for vote, the Board shall direct the General Secretary to mail distribute the ballot and canvass the vote in the same manner as for the annual election of Directors. A majority vote of all ballots shall decide the question. The Board shall upon the written request of fifty members of the Corporation submit to vote any question they propose.

5.2.2   Communication. Whenever a communication, including a completed ballot, is to be sent or conveyed by a member to the Corporation pursuant to these Bylaws, such communication may be made either by US Mail or at the option of the member by email or other electronic means established and authorized by the Board for such purpose, provided that the Corporation has notified the member (by US Mail or email) of the email address or other means so established for such purpose.

5.2.3   Voting Precautions. In the case of any communication by members to the Corporation, that under these Bylaws constitutes a vote by the membership, the Board shall authorize a means of email or other electronic voting only if the Board is satisfied that such means includes functionality designed to prevent duplicate and unauthorized balloting. Furthermore, in the case of any communication by members to the Corporation, that under these Bylaws is to be by secret ballot, the Board shall authorize a means of email or other electronic voting only if the Board is satisfied that such means affords members either the ability to submit such ballots anonymously or the ability to submit them to a third party designated and deemed trustworthy by the Board, which third party will tabulate the results and report them to a created CBA Board Committee (without disclosing the votes of individual members), who in turn will combine such votes with those received through the US Mail and include them in the report to the President and General Secretary.

5.3    Voter List. The Membership Director shall maintain a Membership List which includes every Member’s name, address. Phone number and email. This list shall be subject to inspection by the Board of Directors at any board meeting or any other convenient time

5.3.1    Inspection of the Voting List by Members. Members shall not have access to the membership list except on the express authorization and at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors.

5.4     Place of meetings. The Board of Directors may designate any time or place as the place of meeting for any meeting.

ARTICLE 6

Board of Directors

6.1     Size. There shall be between five (5) elected Officers and 10 (10) At-Large Directors. The exact number shall be determined from time to time by the Board.  No reduction in the size of the Board shall serve to cut short the term of any Director.

6.2     Composition and Election. The Board shall consist of five (5) officers and such additional non-officer Directors as are determined under Section 6.1.

6.2.1     Officers shall be elected as provided in Section 7.2.

6.2.2     Non-officer Directors (At-Large Board Members) shall be elected by the Board at the first scheduled Board meeting in July.

6.3     Authority. The business and affairs of this Corporation shall be managed exclusively and entirely by the Board of Directors. No Member of the association is authorized to act on behalf of the Corporation without the written approval of the Board of Directors.

6.4     Meetings. The Board of Directors shall meet at least monthly to discuss Corporation business, and changes to the Bylaws. Regular meetings shall be arranged, both as to time and location, and noted in the minutes. Any Member of the Corporation may attend the first scheduled Board meeting of the month and address the Board. However, portions of any meeting may be held in Executive Session upon direction of the President. While in Executive Session, only Directors and specific invitees of the President may attend. Special meetings may be held upon call and notice by the President, or upon resolution of the Board of Directors. Directors shall be notified by email or telephone of such special meetings. All Board of Director (BOD) of the Corporation need to attend the monthly board meetings or submit in writing prior to the meeting their need for being absent.  BOD are required to not miss more that 2 meetings in a row, unless for emergency circumstances.  Missing 2 consecutive meetings without notification will be determined as self-termination unless the BOD member provides, in writing, their desire to remain on the board and a valid rationale for their delinquency.  The Officers have the power to waive this dismissal if deemed necessary.  Non-compliance can be reason for removal from the Board.

6.5     Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors shall meet following the election of officers.

6.6     Quorum. A quorum of the Board of Directors shall be necessary to conduct business; a quorum shall consist of at least one-third of the prescribed number of Directors.

6.7     Voting. A resolution of the Board of Directors shall be determined by a majority vote of Directors in attendance at the meeting. Written ballots may be requested by any Director.

6.8     Director Conflict of Interest. Any Director can be disqualified from voting when a case of potential conflict of interest is determined by a majority of votes cast by the remaining Directors. A potential conflict of interest exists if one or more Directors could experience direct or indirect personal gain or loss due to the outcome of a Board resolution. Directors have an affirmative duty to disclose to the Board of Directors all material facts of any potential conflict of interest.  Actions of the Board are not voidable on the grounds of conflict of interest except as provided in the Act.

6.9     Term, Commencement of Term. Directors shall serve for a one year term. Officers shall begin serving on January 1st after the election.  At-Large Directors will begin serving immediately after their election or appointment.

6.10     Removal of Directors.   Per 6.4 removal of any Director can result from lack of compliance with attendance requirements.  The decision to remove and replace an elected officer shall be based on lack of performance, lack of participation and other factors as deemed appropriate by the majority of the Board. (For example: behavior deemed inappropriate, unethical and/or detrimental to the Corporation)  Prior to removal of any Director, the President will submit in writing a warning to that Director of possible removal, thereby giving them a chance to reform and remain in office.  Should it be necessary to remove a Director after the warning period, then this will be done by majority vote of the Board of Directors and communicated to the membership via the monthly newsletter or  a member meeting by the President or his/her designee.  Upon notice of removal – all Corporation owned materials should be returned to the offices of the Corporation at that time and all access to private corporation information will be terminated.

6.11     Resignation of Directors. Any Director may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Board, the President or the General Secretary of the Corporation. The effectiveness of such resignation shall not prejudice the rights, if any, of the Corporation against the Director so resigning.  Upon receiving a resignation letter, that resignation will be effective immediately. All Corporation owned materials should be returned to the offices of the Corporation at that time and all access to private corporation information will be terminated.

6.12     Vacancies. A vacancy which occurs among the Board of Directors shall be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors. A Director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve the unexpired term of his or her predecessor in office.  Should a vacancy exist where there is no remaining Director to fill, then the Board will agree to assign a Committee lead and that position will be ruled by Committee until such a time that a replacement can be found.

ARTICLE 7

Officers

7.1    Enumeration. There shall be a President, a Vice-President, a General Secretary, a Membership Director and a Treasurer. No person shall hold more than one office. In the extenuating circumstance that there is a vacancy that cannot be filled, an existing Director can act temporarily until a permanent replacement is found.

7.2     Election of Officers. Officers shall be elected by vote of the general membership at the beginning of December as provided in Section 5.1.  Officers shall be elected by individual ballot.

7.3     President. The President shall supervise and direct the business of the corporation. In addition, the President shall preside at meetings of the Members and of the Board of Directors.  The President has the right to make Executive decisions only in situations where the board is deadlocked on a decision. Such decisions will be communicated to the Board via email in a timely manner.

7.4     Vice President. In the absence of the President or as occasionally designated by the President or Board of Directors, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice President will act as counsel to the President when Executive decisions are deemed necessary.

7.5     General Secretary. The General Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings of the Membership and Board of Directors, see that all notices are given in accordance with these Bylaws as required by law, and be custodian of the corporate records. The General Secretary shall maintain a list of all generally authorized CBA activities. The General Secretary will distribute the monthly meeting minutes to the Board of Directors within 1 week after the monthly meeting.  The minutes will also be stored in a shared location so that backup copies are securely maintained.  The General Secretary will also be responsible for creating and distributing the agenda for each monthly meeting at least 24 hours before the date of said meeting.

7.6     Membership Director. The Membership Director shall keep the Membership roster current and accurate.  This includes sending out membership cards to all new and renewed members, sending notices to members when membership is about to expire, providing the membership mailing list to the Editor of the Blues Notes so that members receive their newsletter. The Membership Director (or their designee) is encouraged to be at the monthly meetings to enroll new members, provide membership cards and update the roster.  This membership roster should be up to date and accurate and include all contact information – address, email, and phone as well as any volunteer interests.  The Membership Director will be responsible for managing the member database and providing current membership lists to be used at key member meetings and any other events that will require checking membership status.  The Corporation will provide the Membership Director with a laptop and other tools in order for them to do their job effectively.  Since electronic payment is a vehicle that will be used to join the Corporation, the Membership Director will be required to monitor electronic submissions and enroll new members promptly upon application submission.  New members and renewing members should receive their authorized Membership cards no later than 1 month after their submission to join or renew.  The Membership Director is also responsible for backing up and safely securing all membership data.

7.7     Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have charge of, custody of and control of all funds of the corporation, shall give and receive monies payable and due to the Corporation from any sources and deposit such money in the name of the Corporation in such banks as may be selected in accordance with these Bylaws. The Treasurer shall maintain a list of generally authorized monetary expenditures approved by the Board. The Treasurer shall be custodian of all financial records, invoices and receipts of the Corporation. The Treasurer shall provide a financial status report to the Board each month which includes all financial transactions of the Corporation.  After each meeting of the membership the Treasurer will count and record monies to be deposited.  This report shall also be stored electronically in a shared location

7.8     Compensation.     No Officer shall receive financial compensation for his or her services as an Officer of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 8

Contracts, Checks and Deposits

8.1     Contracts. No contract may be made in the name of the Corporation without the approval of the Board of Directors. Such approval may be granted in general or confined to specific instances.

8.2     Loans. No loan may be made on behalf of the Corporation unless authorized by the Board of Directors in writing.

8.3     Disbursements. The Board of Directors shall approve the writing of all checks, or payment of money by the Corporation. Such approval may be granted in general or confined to specific instances.

8.4     Banking. All funds of the Corporation shall be deposited to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select.  Only Officers of the Corporation will have approved access to banking.  After the annual elections the current Officers are required to meet with the financial institution to update current Officer status and access. This meeting will require a signed copy of the monthly minutes which indicate current Officer election results.

ARTICLE 9

Limitation of Liability, Indemnification

9.1     Liability:

9.1.1     No Director or uncompensated officer of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its Members for monetary damages for conduct as a Director or uncompensated officer; provided that this Article shall not eliminate liability which may not be eliminated under the Act.

9.1.2     No amendment to the Act that further limits the acts or omissions for which elimination of liability is permitted shall affect the liability of a Director or uncompensated officer for any act or omission which occurs prior to the effective date of such amendment.

9.1.3     The provisions of this Article are intended to be in addition to and not in limitation of any other provisions of the Bylaws or any agreement of the Corporation or any law that eliminates or limits the liability of Directors, officers and others acting on behalf of the Corporation.

9.2     Indemnification. A Director, Officer, employee, Member or agent of the Corporation shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with any civil action, suit or proceeding in which he or she may be named as a party, and which is in connection with his or her duties as a Director, Officer, Employee, Member or Agent of this Corporation if he or she acted in good faith. and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation.

ARTICLE 10

 Amendments to Bylaws

10.1     How Proposed. Amendments to these Bylaws shall be proposed by either a majority of the Board or by Members having one-third of the votes entitled to be cast for such amendment. The proposed amendment must be reduced to writing and shall be included in the notification and ballot creation outlined in Sections 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3.

10.2     Adoption. The proposed amendment may be adopted by the membership. following the procedures outlined in Sections 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.2, 5.2.3.

10.3    However, those provisions of these Bylaws which are governed by the Articles of Incorporation of this Corporation or by the Act may not be amended except as provided in the Articles or in the Act.  Amendments of these Bylaws shall be agreed upon by a majority of the Board of Directors and adopted.

ARTICLE 11

Other Business Items

11.1     Committees. The activities of the Corporation shall be carried out by committees. The structure and configuration of the committees shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Each committee will operate under the guidance of a committee chairperson within parameters defined by its charter, a written statement of its goals and operations. All committee chairpersons will be assigned by the Board of Directors. No committee shall engage in any activity beyond the scope of its charter without the approval of the Board. Committees shall regularly report to the Board of Directors as prescribed by the Board. The Board of Directors shall provide guidance and assistance to the committee chairpersons.

11.2     Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.

11.3     Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may provide a corporate seal which shall be circular in form and shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the name of the State of Oregon, and the words “Corporate Seal.”

11.4     Notice and Waiver of Notice:

11.4.1     Notice. All notices to the Corporation or to the Board shall be sent care of the President, to the principal office of the Corporation or to such other address as the Board may hereafter designate from time to time. All Member notices shall be sent to the last email or mailing address designated by the Member.

11.4.2     Waiver. Whenever any notice is required to be given to any Member or Director of the Corporation under the provisions of these Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation, or by law, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

Award-Winning Performer Ruthie Foster Back In Portland: Sept. 7th

Ruthie Foster - photo by Mary Keating-BrutonFrom houses of worship to houses of blues, Ruthie Foster has always been a rafter-rattler. And with a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, she can move audiences to tears or to ecstasy, sometimes during the same song. Foster is a blues-world rarity: an original voice who honors her forebearers, yet transcends gentrification. She has been honored with six Blues Music Awards, including three Koko Taylor Traditional Female Artists of the Year nods, multiple Grammy nominations, and is currently up for two Living Blues Music Awards, Female Blues Artist of the Year and Best Live Performer. Those who have followed Ruthie Foster’s eclectic musical history know that she can burn down any stage with her combustible blend of soul, blues, rock, folk, and gospel.

Ruthie Foster returns to Portland for one night only, Wednesday, September 7, at the Alberta Rose Theatre, at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $28.00 general admission and $40.00 for limited preferred seating (first five rows, front and center) at the venue’s website, albertarosetheatre.com. This is an all ages event, with minors okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

2016 Journey To Memphis Begins At The Rose Room In June

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Have you ever wondered just what kind of attention participating in the International Blues Challenge can draw? Just take a look at this year’s Blues Music Awards. Four acts who have participated in the IBC combined to win six of the awards handed out this year: Lisa Mann, Cedric Burnside, Mr Sipp, and the biggest winner of the year, Victor Wainwright, who took home the BB King Entertainer of the Year and Best Band honors. Aside from those four, these former IBC acts also received nominations: Fiona Boyes, Karen Lovely, Brandon Santini, Jarekus Singleton, Sugaray Rayford, and Jason Ricci. All received international attention through their appearances at the IBC.

But, to perform at the IBC, all acts are required to go through regional competitions held by affiliated members of The Blues Foundation, such as the Cascade Blues Association. So, for the seventeenth year, the CBA will be holding the Journey to Memphis competition to select our representatives in Memphis next January.

The applications are in, the dates confirmed, and the sets have been scheduled for the opening nights of this year’s Journey to Memphis. This is going to be one of the largest fields ever to participate in our competition. Nineteen acts will appear in twenty minute sets, ten each night, on Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4. The Rose Room, 8102 NE Killingsworth, will host the event, and admission each night is $10.00, which is the base for our prizes for the overall winning acts. Four acts, the two highest scoring from each night, will move on to the Waterfront Blues Festival on Monday, July 4, on the Front Porch Stage.

This year’s entries are:

Friday, June 3:
7:00 – Joanne Broh Band
7:30 – William “Froggy” Hyland
8:00 – Julie Amici
8:30 – CD Woodbury Band
9:00 – David Brothers
9:30 – The England Trio
10:00 – Beacon Street Titans
10:30 – Tim O’Connor
11:00 – JT Wise Band
11:30 – Ben Rice Band

Saturday, June 4:
7:30 – Franco Paletta Band
8:00 – Timothy James
8:30 – The Thunder Brothers
9 :00 – Rogue Rage Duo
9:30 – Randy Morrison’s Party Bus
10:00 – Eric “Sugar” Larsen Group
10:30 – David Pinsky
11:00 – Holfar Blue
11:30 – Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers

Please note: schedule times are subject to change. We have had acts drop out prior to the event in the past, which can cause rearrangement of set times and dates. We will keep you informed of any changes on our Facebook page.