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The Washington Blues Society (WBS) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to promote, preserve, and advance the culture and tradition of blues music as an art form. |
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When I am asked what we do in the Washington Blues Society, I sometimes say, "We mainly drink beer and listen to music. It’s an easy job but somebody’s got to do it.” Actually, it’s a little more serious than that. A Mission from Whom? This is the music that reaches deep down inside a person and grabs you somewhere profound. I can’t find any other music that does the same thing. It may be the world’s cheapest therapy but it is effective. If you love this music, don’t let the world ever forget about it. Join the society that promotes it and has sworn to keep it alive as an art form. ”We’re on a mission from God.” |
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Even if someone loves rock and roll, they pay homage to the Blues. When all the great rockers were asked “who created you?” in the Time-Life series shown on television a few years ago, everyone from Mick Jagger to Bruce Springsteen to Joe Strummer, to Chuck D the rapper - all of them, named Blues Musicians. The great rockers know that rock came from the Blues. Many young rockers don’t know it, and I wonder if they will create good rock? Maybe that will be determined by whether or not they really respect where it came from? You can influence them by joining the Washington Blues Society and helping us preserve and promote this vital art form.
The history of blues music is also central to the social history of the U.S. and has had a big impact on the cultural history of the last 100 year. All over the world, people are doing music influenced by Blues or some music that was influenced by the Blues – like rock. America gave black people the Blues (literally) and black people in turn gave the world a music so profound that it inspires everyone from white suburbanites to English working class kids to musicians on the west coast of Africa where its roots go back hundreds of years.
Participate
Every year there are Blues workshops in Port Townsend. We send youth to hang out with and take classes from older Blues musicians that are brought in from around the country. Picture this: an old Bluesman from the delta with many years of life experience spending the week with high school kids from the Seattle area. No sociology class has accomplished this, but we accomplish that every year. Let’s keep that scholarship program going, join the WBS and take part in that committee.
Joining the WBS is joining a group of people that love the same music you love. We love the music. You love the music. You gotta be there with us.
Another thing I feel good about regarding the WBS is when there is a human need. When a local Blues musician has medical expenses and not enough money with a smaller-than-they deserve audience in the area (let’s build the audiences) there are people who would like to help. If there is a benefit or something like that guess where I hear about it? Who spreads the word that the musician needs help? Yes, that’s right, WBS members do.
The biggest WBS event of the year is coming up in a few months. The BB Awards are kind of like the Grammies for local Blues musicians. The don’t make the money they deserve but at least we can honor these artists. To nominate an artist or to get the ballot and vote you must be a WBS member.
Appeal to Greed
Being in the WBS is also wise from a cost-benefit analysis kind of way. So you pay $25 a year, come to a meeting listen to 2 bands for free that usually have to charge $10 covers, maybe win a free CD in the raffle you don’t have to buy a ticket for, discuss the music with the musicians, eat some food, have a beer and get the bluesletter. Heck of a deal!
Help us Make it Happen
There are worthwhile things that the Washington Blues Society does and each person joining helps make happen. Playing a role in the committees and meetings once you join helps a lot of things happen in the community. So clip out that membership application form in the Bluesletter in your hand right now, fill it out right now and write a check and send it NOW, not tomorrow but now, so you don’t forget to do it!
I also want to encourage members to help guide the board. It is a basic principal of democracy for the membership to take part in the decision-making and make sure they are properly represented. Make the organization yours. It must never be a few giving a lecture or reading announcements to the many who are passively listening without being part of the decision-making. Join today, come to a meeting, join a committee, and have some fun. Let’s keep the Blues alive!!!!
Robert Horn
