Fiddler Tommy Jackson 1926-1979

Long gone, he was key to the formation of some of today's standards in Bluegrass. You can hear him at MySpace.

Jim

Sam Bush weekly TV show

Sam Bush has a weekly series of both song-by-song descriptions and acoustic performances of the songs from his new record, Circles Around Me, as well as "behind-the-scenes" special features and interviews, including Sam's stories about meeting his heroes and contemporaries. Six episodes are currently running, with new episodes added every week.

IBMA Survey response

Nancy Cardwell of IBMA ask several associations to respond to a survey she is conducting. Below are our responses along with her questions. Joe Steiner added some additional thoughts at the end.

1. Name of association, year it was organized, current membership numbers, region you cover, your specific title in the association:

Northern Indiana Bluegrass Assoc., Inc formed in 1976 as a non-profit 501C4 . Current membership is 621. Although our focus is the upper Midwest we have members in seven states and Canada. I am president.

2. What is the mission statement, or main focus of your association?

The purpose of this organization shall be to educate the public to, and promote the awareness of, Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music.

3. What programs are you most proud of, that your association is involved with?

Through our Traditional American Music program we have exposed over 15,000 students to bluegrass music in the upper Midwest.

4. What are the greatest challenges facing your bluegrass association at present--and looking into the future?

Volunteer and officer succession is a major concern. The demographics of our audience is not getting any younger. Schools are reducing their expenditures due to the difficult economy.

5. What are the greatest opportunities you see for your association in the future?

Additional educational programs in area schools but this also represents our one of our challenges.

6. Is there anything you would like other membership constituencies in IBMA to know specifically about bluegrass associations? (broadcasters, artists, agents, merchandisers, labels, educators, media, etc.) Do you have any advice on how the industry can work together better with bluegrass associations, for everyone's benefit?

Unless we can broaden the audience for bluegrass we are all going after a decreasing revenue stream. Together we must find a solution to this problem

Jim Winger - President NIBGA

• As Jim said, the focus of our organization is to educate the public about, and promote awareness of Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music.  The main ways we do that now is through our festival (which includes music workshops), our club newsletter (which provides information on bluegrass events), and educational sponsorships such as scholarships and the TAM programs.  But, we are always open to, and seek out, new ideas for doing this, such as other types of concerts or more intensive educational workshops.

• That said, one of our challenges is that we want to provide a venue for performers, with fair compensation, but yet must maintain our reasonable gate prices to avoid alienating our audience and membership.  And, our audience changes over time, such that it is difficult to adequately evaluate the propensity for higher admission and acceptance of the wide variety of musical styles which can all be labelled as, or are close to, bluegrass.

Joe Steiner

NIBGA Board Meeting minutes for Nov. 15, 2009

The November 15, 2009 meeting of Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association was held at the South West Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

Beginning at noon the Dec/Jan news letters were labeled and stamped for mailing. Thanks to the helpers.

ROLL CALL, PAST MINUTES, TREASURE REPORT

• The officers meeting was called to order at 1p  by President Jim Winger. Those present were V. Pres. Joe Steiner, secretary Barbara Collins, treasurer Linda Winger, board directors T.J. Collins, Joe Wyandt, Pam Keiper, and Paul Saurborn, Chris Cooperrider taxi Chair, out going V. Pres. Sandra Carnes. Other members also present for the meeting.
• Secretary's report for the Oct. meeting was sent to all officers on line 10/21/09. Paul Saurborn motioned to accept the Oct. minutes. Joe Wyandt second. All say yes. Motion carried.
• The Oct. Financial report was sent to all officers on line by Treasurer Linda Winger.  Paul Saurborn motioned to accept the report. Pam Keiper second. All say yes. Motion carried.

There were many other financial areas covered during the meeting. Gate was only off $125.00. Merchandise was off a small amount for Fall 09' Linda reports. She will be recheck the numbers by the next meeting.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

• Jim Winger reviewed attendance statistics for years 2000 to 2009. Determined 09' was successful. Not any one thing contributed to the success. It is all things combined. There was discussion on festival electric use, camping and other subjects that come into play.
• Jim Winger had e-mailed all officers a report of www.BluegrassUSA.net  web hits for a 30 day period. The hits come not only from other states but from other countries.

OLD BUSINESS

• $80.00 connect/disconnect fee for 50 amp plug ins. Jim will ask for the cable before the next festival. One of our officers will store, attach and un-attach the cable for each festival use.
• Port-a-jons: Used 7 for F09. (6 regular, one handicap), T.J. will ask Terry Parish of Taylor Rental how heavly used the jons were last fall to determine what the needs might be for 2010 season.
• Golf Carts: Discussion on how many needed for S10 and for whom. Those getting carts are: Jan Meade, Joe Steiner, Jim Winger, Paul Sauborn, Joe Wyandt, TJ Collins, Al Ellis, Leslie Ellis, Jeanette Young, Cheri Franz, Patti Page, Dave Smith, Linda Winger, security and two 4 seat taxis. Joe Wyandt motioned to rent fourteen (14) 2-seaters and two taxis. Joe Steiner second. All say yes. Motion carried.
• Chris Cooperrider will decide and report later on how she wants to handle the TAXI schedule at the festivals.  tabled
• 501C3 verses 501C4 status tabled
• Should club dues be revised? Contributions to a 501C3 can be effected by the number of members. tabled.
• Discuss how many food vendors should we allow for the festivals. tabled until Jeanette is present.
• Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association is considering becoming a International Bluegrass Music Association sponsor during the 2010 World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Joe Steiner has checked into the cost. (Consider there could be cost increase by next year.) Many possibilities were reviewed. We could be a IBMA sponsor instead of hosting a showcase room in the basement of the Convention Center. Joe will continue checking the possibilities and he would like to re-address this in January 2010.

NEW BUSINESS

• Pres. Jim Winger presented a report on the Kruse International problems. Consideration: Will it have a impact on our festival attendance?
• Jim Winger will begin procedures for the new contract between the Noble County Fair board and Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association for 2011-2015. The present 5 year contract will expire at the end of 2010. Consideration: Any possible date changes for early arrival. Possibilities of any limitations of buildings used.
• Pres. Jim Winger asked Noble County Fair board Pres. Don Moore if he would check while he is in Indianapolis at the State Fair board meeting in Nov., to see if there can be any exceptions for sleeping in the Fair grounds barns. Don agreed to look into it and report back.
• Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association dues are $5.00 for single membership and $7.00 for family membership from Nov. 09 to April 30, 2010. These discount prices will bring you the newsletter for December/January, February, March, & April. Dues will go back to regular prices on May 1, 2010.
• Joe Steiner passed out to each officer a updated list of bands hired, and others being considered. Joe is working hard to hire the line up for the 2010 festival shows. It takes a 'LOT' of work to stay within a budget and contract good entertainment. He is always working to get the bands you will enjoy.
• Jim Winger asked Joe Steiner to write a article for the next newsletter, about a upcoming 2010 band that will be at the NIBGA festival.
• There was discussion on new ways to interest new people to attend NIBGA festivals and how to keep the faithful attendees happy to return.
• Chris Cooperrider is asking if there are ways of expanding workshops at the festivals. table for Jan.
• Paperwork to take Sandra Carnes off the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association accounts and put Joe Steiner on will be done this week.

• Paul Saurborn motioned to adjourn at 3:05 p.m.. Pam Keiper second.

The next meeting of Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association will be held January 17, 2010.
Again at the South West Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, IN
The SWCC Phone number is 260-747-4677