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The Drum has been quiet for a while. But the natives have nevertheless been restless. Back in April the Society and Marlene Caldwell brought Zac Harmon and The Mid South Blues Revue to the Surf Club. Zac and crew showed out in front of a near-capacity crowd. Ruby Hayes added a little more spice to the show with a rousing cameo performance. The Blues in the Schools (BITS) program was the real star, having benefited handsomely from the show's proceeds. We turned up the heat with the Hotter-Than-July Fish Fry & Show, a fundraiser for the upcoming festival. Lots of folks came out to remember Jerry “The Bama” Washington, a long-time WPFW host of the Bama Hour Blues show. A star-studded group assembled by Henry Tate, aka “Brother Tate,” included the musical host, DJ James Funk, Da Gator, Guy Middleton, Miyuki Williams, all of WPFW. Also in the house to reflect on the life of The Bama were former WPFW blues show host and current XM satellite radio bluesman, Bill Wax; Lucille Washington, Jerry Washington's daughter, and Denise Burton, The Bama’s soap opera girlfriend. The music didn't stop when Funk put away his CDs. The Badabing Blues Band kicked off the live music portion of the show and was followed with more high-energy Blues and big-girl celebration from Dr. S-O Feelgood Band & Show. Acme Blues Company rounded out the show with crowd-pleasing sets. Nate’s Comfort Zone hosted another DCBS Members Night Out (MNO). This one featured Dr. S-O Feelgood celebrating his new CD release, Live! We are looking for more venues and bands to host MNOs that provide a free or nearly free opportunity for DCBS members to get together, meet board members, and have a good time. We have also re-energized our member discounts at local clubs. Bohemian Caverns and Blues Alley—with Greg Piccolo—are recent venues offering members 20% or more discounts. We will also co-sponsor the duo, Scissormen, at IOTA’s in Arlington on 3 October with cheap $10 tickets—another first partnership with this area venue. The only thing missing from these significant events were more members. I have been asking fellow board members and musicians: Why don’t more members come out to DCBS events? Help us out here. Belonging to a membership organization implies that you support what it stands for. If not, the organization must be doing something wrong. Let us know. Email any board member or me and tell us what you want to see DCBS do. What kind of events would you PAY to attend? Are you interested in local Blues talent—or not? What if we charged for the FREE annual festival? Would you come to that? Do you only care about getting a newsletter? [By the way, a large proportion of our dues go to cover the costs of publishing and mailing the newsletter, leaving little for programs such as Blues in the Schools, the free festival, and other community sponsorships and contributions.] We want to know what's on your mind. I digressed. But the issue of member support segues well with the next big chance for members to pull out their cards and step up to a damn good time. Yeah I said it. Don't be skeered! Get your member-discounted tickets now for the Festival AfterParty Fundraiser at the Surf Club! If you’re too tired to shake your booty after the daylong FREE festival, the ticket request form has a space for donations, too. We still have the International Blues Challenge (IBC) Battle of the Bands Contest coming up 12 October and the annual Christmas Party IBC Fundraiser. Once again, I encourage your participation and support. FYI bands: The Blues Foundation has revamped its eligibility criteria resulting in opening up the competition to many musicians who were previously ineligible. Our skeleton crew of a Board is striving to improve our community involvement and our ability to offer more information and high-quality, low cost Blues entertainment to our members and the public at large. In the coming months our website will undergo a complete face-lift in order to serve you better. The newsletter may take on a new look. A bigger venue for the monthly jam is under consideration. The Blues in the School program will be rejuvenated. 2006 is the 20th anniversary of the founding of the DCBS. We hope to have a yearlong celebration of special shows and community events to mark the occasion. As I keep emphasizing, this is the new, improved DCBS. You can help us make DCBS the premier regional source of Blues education, community involvement and big fun. Send your ideas and suggestions now. Come ride the high note with other volunteers working to grow DCBS and have a good time along the way. And volunteer now if you have the skills or experience to perform secretary, treasurer, and sponsor development duties. Contact volunteer@dcblues.org or call 202-962-0112 and leave a message.
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