Jan. 18 NIBGA Board Meeting – Conservation Club – Ft. Wayne, IN.

Call to order: Time: 1:00 P.M.

Officers present:
President – Jim Winger
V. President – Sandra Carnes Joe Wyandt
Secretary – Barbara Collins
Treasurer – Linda Winger

Directors:
T.J. Collins
Joe Wyandt
Paul Saurborn
Pam Keiper – Via phone (In Texas)

Gate Captains: Leslie & Al Ellis
Band Coordinators: Joe Steiner, Chris Cooperrider

Secretary’s report: Minutes of November meeting were sent by E-Mail 12-9-08
Joe Wyandt motioned to accept. Paul Saurborn second. All say yes. Carried

Treasurer’s report:
November 2008 Financial Report
December 2008 Financial Report
Approved:
2008 Year End Balance $xxxx

Jim recommends moving a mature CD to Money Market. Linda moved money from checking to the NIBGA Savings. Interest rates are better in savings.
1) Current CD that is maturing will be put into Money Market.
2) Next CD to mature soon, will be rolled over into a new CD.
Paul Saurborn motioned to proceed with items 1. and 2. Sandy Carnes second. All say yes. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

TENT RENTALS: $1,321.10 each for S09 and F09. Total - $2,642.20 for Festivals 2009. If the rent is paid in January, there is a 10% savings.
Paul Saurborn motioned to take the early tent rental deal. Joe Wyandt second. All say yes. Motion carried.

FAIRGROUND RENT: Inceases $1,000 over last year for the next two years. Jim Winger asked Don Moore if NCCFC would consider rent remain at 2008 level. Don said he would make a request.

BAND UPDATE: Joe Steiner passed out current line up. Joe would like to have a little more high profile bands but considering the budget. It looks good.

Radio show: Don Moore doubts that he can sell advertising for a Bluegrass radio program on a weekly basis.

T-SHIRT Design: Not completed. Basic design will be a TRAIN. Sandy Carnes suggest smoke from the train chimney show ’20 Years @ Kendallville. (Will that confuse the club with the 32/33 years we have been a club? B.C.)

Request for 3 – 50 amp outlets at fairgrounds. No action yet. Slim possibility NIBGA can get a Grant to help.

Leslie Ellis who is an accountant will take care of the club taxes.

Someone told Jim W. the overhead connections at the fairgrounds have been cleaned. Questionable.

TABLE: Chris Cooperrider – Old Time Dance Class. Chris will try to set up something with a Grant through the community.

Set Day and Time to ‘WASH AND WAX’ the stage trailer . Spring 09, put note in newsletter.

Get a detailed sound equipment sheet from Steve K, sound man, to send to bands - Joe S.

VENDORS : V. Pres. Sandy Carnes.
Merchandise vendors pay $150.00; Special Foods pay $175.00; Lions & etc. pay $200.00.

PORT-A-JONS: (and Golf Carts) Linda will check P-a-Jon prices and report. Handicap $115.00, Regular $75.00. Discussion – Advice from Joe W. and T.J. C. – Probably can make do with one Handicap Port-a-Jon and 5 regular ones.

TABLE; February – Decide how many golf carts.

At the festivals: Keep an eye on street lights. Keep as many turned off as possible. Keep ones at the grandstand locked up. Post cell phone number for request to unlock. Jim will ask for it to be locked. OR we can pull breakers.

NEW BUSINESS

R.V. magazine advertising: Jim contacted. Many RV businesses have gone under. It is questionable that we will have a vehicle to advertise thru them. Fliers are sent to many music stores.

TABLE: February- Everyone consider new economical ways to advertise.

TEK Interactive, our WEB provider, filed for Chapter 11 in 4Q 08. Owner was contacted and assured Jim W. that it was not a concern and business would be as usual.

Chris C. will do a write up for a NIBGA Blog.

Sandy asked. “Should we put NIBGA WEB address on the 2009 Shirts? For consideration.

Sandy will draw up a draft and send to all. Flee Market for campers only.

“If you have something to sell, you may display it outside your camper. Deadline Noon on Friday.” (Let’s don’t let it become a junk yard! B.C. )

Man offered to do Skate Board demonstration for free. Discussion. All agree NO due to liability and other problems it could create.

Motion to adjourn: Joe Wyandt. T.J. C. second.

Meeting adjourned 2:50 P.M.

$1 gas? $20 Oil?

I saw on CNBC yesterday morning the Gulf Oil CEO Joe Petrowski say that $20 oil & $1 gas can happen this year!! If he is right, we should have a big crowd at both festivals.

1099s Mailed

I always kind of dread January not because of the cold and snow but because I have to create 1099s and mail them to the bands. It is a tedious task.

First there is the trip to the store to get the forms. I bought a package of 24. When I started filling out the info, I discovered there were 27 groups that needed 1099s. I tried to call the IRS locally to see if they had 1099s but they don't answer the phones, you have to leave a message. Today they called back and said they don't stock that form. Back to the store for more forms. The smallest package was 25 forms.

The bands fill out W9s and give them to us before they are paid. Linda looks them over but it seems the pressure of the moment allows errors on the W9s to slip through.

Sometimes all that is necessary is to look at a prior 1099 and get the correct info but other times a call to the band is required. Detailed paperwork is not my strength.

Today, all 27 1099s were mailed! What a relief.

Ken Orrick of Lost Highway died

Alabama Bluegrass Music Association - Bluegrass Blog

Posted by Richard Thompson 1/27/09

Ken Orrick of Lost Highway died at his home on Saturday (1/24) after a massive heart attack.

Orrick, guitarist/vocalist with Lost Highway, a band originally from Orange County, California, was a founder member and stayed with them until the mid 1980s when the group disbanded. Lost Highway was reformed in 1996 with Orrick, who was originally from Smithville, TN, as the band leader.

He was the band's primary lead vocalist. His approach to singing was influenced by Carter and Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks, Lester Flatt and Melvin Goins. Fellow singer/songwriter Chris Stuart described his singing as "smooth and clear, yet distinctly bluegrass-influenced".

As well as having a voice that has gave the band its signature sound, Orrick wrote many fine original songs, written in the best traditional style and putting Lost Highway firmly in the solid, driving, hard-core bluegrass category.

Over the 30 years in which Ken Orrick was associated with Lost Highway, he contributed great songs like Lord, Let Me Die (ironically), This Road Leads Home, Shake The Master's Hand, Roll On River, Guilty Of Love, I Don't Believe I'll Fall In Love Today, Time Waits For No, I Can't Go On Loving You, Dreams and It's Gonna Rain. All are excellent songs that would be worthy additions to the repertoire of discerning bands in the future.

Ken appeared in Kendallville Memorial 2004. The band was scheduled to appear Labor Day 2003 but they were in an accident while traveling to Kendallville. J.W.

Old-Time Music Jam in Fort Wayne on Sunday Jan. 25, 2009

Well folks, it's that time again -- time to make some old-time music here in Fort Wayne. We're having our regularly scheduled (fourth Sunday) monthly jam on Sunday at my home at 3512 Rosewood Drive.

I live near Lutheran Hospital and the intersection of Jefferson Boulevard and Engle/Aboite Center Roads. Driving west on Jefferson (US 24) toward the interstate and Lutheran Hospital, you would turn right on Oboite Center Road and then the next right (about 100 yards) on Rosewood Drive.

Follow Rosewood Drive back into the woods (Woodland Hills) and 3512 is on the left. I'll have a balloon on the mailbox.

The jam starts at 2:30 p.m. and goes until 4:30 p.m.

Our next contra dance, featuring the Spy Run String Band and dance caller Barry Dupen, will be Feb. 21 at North Campus Building, University of Saint Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne. Entrance to the dance is in the back of the building.

Please call me if I can answer any questions. Best of luck to you all.

Dean Barber
260-459-0701

Snow

Hi Jim & Linda:
You talk about snow . We've had our share and about the coldest cold we've seen in these parts. Last Fri it was as -8 below Zero F. and there is no sign of a January thaw yet.

I enjoy your news letter and thanks for all the fine information. Your good work is most appreciated as you yourselves are. Thank you,
Stephen Gillespie

Observations while wintering in South Texas

Just found out Jack and Marilyn Mullins are in a park a couple of miles from us, some friends of theirs are in our park, Jack had on a NIBGA t-shirt and the fellow here recognized it since we also where ours, he asked Dave if we knew who they were.

If all the people in this valley are any indication of people of our attendees age group, we don't have to worry about a thing. There are as many down here as ever, and every where we go it is just as crowded so people are still spending money, granted the younger crowds are probably in a bind, but most of our people are retired.

The economy is not going to have a huge impact on us, we are one of the most affordable places for a family to spend the weekend, our early camping may be off but hopefully the yard sale idea will pull some of them in.

We are spending the day with Gene and Nancy Klute, they also come to the festival in Kendallville, Nancy's brother and wife will be here on the 30th , they also camp up on the hill, pretty soon we will have half of our festival goers down here, all wearing NIGBA shirts- - - good cheap advertising.

Pam K.

Waiting on the festival to happen

The following was written by 13 year old Alexis Goldsmith from Avilla who has attended the festival every year of her life. She presents her perspective on the NIBGA festival held at the 4H Fairgrounds in Kendallville, Indiana

Bluegrass Festival Anticipation Syndrome

If you lived here in Kendallville, IN (or anywhere within a several hundred mile radius) you might notice a sort of jumpy feeling around the beginning of May or September. We call this BFAS, or Bluegrass Festival Anticipation Syndrome. Usually, it starts right around the time you realize that the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association's (NIBGA) semiannual celebration is only a couple weeks away. By the week before the festival starts, campers and tents have already been set up by people determined to get a good spot. A good ninety or hundred trailers and RVs arrive a week before the event even starts.

On your first day, you'll meet everybody whether you intend to or not. Conversations will spark as you sit eating a meal, made fresh right in front of you, at the Lion's Club Food booth or one of the many others. Friendly, smiling people will ask you where you come from and what instruments you enjoy the most, and you'll find yourself smiling back over a common interest of music. The fairgrounds are secured with high fencing and gates, and there are always police on patrol during the festivities.

The music from the stage can be heard across the Fairgrounds, blending with the many spontaneous campfire jams which anyone is welcome to join. Have a seat in the covered pavilion and enjoy the performances of bands from all over the country, then meet them at the membership table tent afterward. Come see people of all ages show off their talents on stage. The Fort Wayne Suzuki Talent Education program also performs annually, spotlighting the talents of dozens of children as young as six and seven.

On Friday afternoon, the log cabin is the place for adult crafts. Recently, for a small fee, we've made glass lamps, jewelry, plates, basketry, and other household décor. All day Saturday, the log cabin also hosts several instrumental workshops, in which bands performing at the festival give demonstrations and instructions on improving as a musician.

On Saturday morning, kids can enjoy a variety of activities at "Kid's Korner." Past projects include tie-dye, T-shirt design, beading, woodwork, card design, and seasonal crafts. Or join in the chess and checker tournament, because you don't have to be a skilled player to win the handmade, wooden game board offered as a prize (courtesy of Pat Yorke). Kids can also win door prizes from local vendors and NIBGA merchandise. Complementary snacks of fresh fruit, juice, and pastries are offered.

But, after a weekend full of music, dancing, and laughter, when the people start leaving for their far away homes, a person might fall into BFWD (Bluegrass Festival Withdrawal Disorder). If you stay long enough to see them empty, the fairgrounds don't look right without the familiar people in them. They don't feel right as quiet as they are, without the sound of campfire jams wafting through the air. But don't worry, because the next one will come sooner than you think.

Alexis Goldsmith - NIBGA reporter

NIBGA Board Meeting Agenda January 18, 2009

SW Conservation Club

• Call to order; roll call; agenda changes?/span>
• Minutes of the last meeting e-mailed: 12/09/08 Additions/corrections/approval
• Treasurers reports:
• November & December report
• Interest rates - determine best bank for short term money interest rate - final report
• Approval for advance payment to ACE tent rental.
Information items:
• Club dues are still $5 thru April 30
• In 2008 there were 24 events listed Jan - Apr in 2009 there are 16.
  
• 
  
• Old Business
• Update on Bands hired
• Brand marketing - sponsor a bluegrass hour on WAWK @ $20/wk - waiting on WAWK
• T-shirt design: train - no progress
• Request for 3 - 50 amp outlets at fairgrounds; requested estimate - second request
• 2008 tax filings: Leslie Ellis will respond
• Request overhead connections along Fair & US 6 be "cleaned" - done
• Old Time Dance - Chris C.
  
  
  • Wash & wax stage - request for help in N/L
  • Get a detail sound equipment sheet from Steve to send to bands - no progress
• Festival Sponsors - Don Moore says advertising sales are very difficult to close with the economy
• Vendor refunds; how will it work; measurement - S. Carnes
• Discussion: 2009-10 festivals
• Evaluation: Port-a-jons & golf cart needs
• Review areas for expense control
  
  
  • New Business:
• RV advertising - publisher impacted by RV industry economy, only two print editions left, remainer dropped or on-line; requested more info. Need additional advertising outlets
  
  
  • J.W. requested 2009 fairgrounds rent remain at 2008 level. Don M. will make request to NCCFC
  • TEKInteractive, our web provider, filed for Chapter 11 in 4Q08. Owner was contacted and assured JW that it was not a concern and business would be as usual.
  • Review of web hits in 2008
  • Approval of expenses
    
    
    • Motion to adjourn
    • Miscellaneous:

Nov. 16, 2008
NIBGA Board Meeting 12:55p start

All officers were present. Plus Band committee: Joe and Chris

Secretary’s Report: Barb C. One correction for the Oct. minutes.

Joe W. motioned to approve. Sandy C. second. All say yes. Carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Linda W. Oct. 08’ Financial Report.

Sandy C. motioned to approve. Paul S. second. All say yes. Carried.

Jim W. Reports – 4% to 4-1/2% Interest on CDs right now.

Linda W. Reported on F08 Festival Income and Expenses.

Jim W.‘s Review of Festival Income and Expenses on a annual bases (May 00’ to Sept. 08’)

Attendance is down. Everyone one read and discussed areas where savings might be found.

TABLE: Maybe eliminate some Golf Carts & Port-a-jons. Decide Jan. or Feb.

Joe S. Band Report: Discussion ~ Do we/should we cut amount of bands? Reviewed list of bands for consideration. More discussion and decisions later.

Don Moore will send NIBGA a estimate for the 3 – 50 amp outlets at the fairgrounds.

It was agreed to drop the advertisement in ‘Bluegrass Now magazine. (Cost 540.00) 90x3= $270.00.

Adds will be placed in the 3 Recreational Club Management Magazines - Sunny Travelers, Jayco Safari’s, & The Chatter. Cost $540.00. the add will contain a $off coupon of some kind.

Sandy C. made a motion to advertise w/coupon. Paul S. second. All say yes. Carried

TABLE: Jim W. will work on possibilities of Radio programs to advertise the festivals.

Adds on WAWK: One time – Once per week. Jim will talk to Don M. on arrangements and prices.

Jim will e-mail each of the officers with a price quote and request a ‘officers vote’.

TABLE: For January! Advertising – Should we look for Festival Sponsors? There was much discussion. No decision. RE-ADDRESS.

Sandy C. Suggest - Vendors: If weather is bad, or turn out is low, and it effects vendors income, could we and should we give a vendor a discount at the next festival they attend. All agreed yes.

TABLE: January – Decide – IBMA Attendance in Nashville.

Do we need to cut expenses and people going?

Pam K. motioned to adjourn. T.J. C. second. Time Adjourned: 2:35 P.M.

Winter jams:
Almost forgot to invite you to one of the winter NIBGA jams on the third Sunday January thru April.

Day of Week, Time: - 3rd Sunday of Jan-April 2009 - Oct-Nov 2009 (NO DEC.)- 12pm-6pm
Jan 18, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, Oct 18, Nov 15

Location: Southwest Conservation Club, 5705 Bluffton Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46809

Contact Name: Jim Winger

Address: 5034 Wapiti Ct, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Phone: 260-432-4485

Wow! Talk about a neglected blog, this is it.
2009 NIBGA festivals are shaping up. Joe Steiner has hired most of the Sat. Sun. bands and is starting on the Thurs. Fri. groups.

The Feb. 2009 newsletter is almost done. I need to check on some of the web sites in MI for upcoming shows.

Board meeting is coming up Jan. 18.

Back to work on the newsletter.