Har monica happenings A quarterly publication of the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica Harmonetta 101 spah The Sgro Brothers & a New Rascals Movie Winter, 2011 Vol. 45 No. 1 Harmonica happenings In this issue: Vol. 45, No. 1, Winter 2011 ©2007, The Society for the Preservation Cover photo: “Everett’s Harmonica” by Paul Charette, and Advancement of the Harmonica. www.cimagery.ca All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from SPAH, Inc. Printed in U.S.A. Harmonica Happenings is published quarterly by SPAH, Inc., Contents: a nonprofit organization, incorporated in the State of Michigan on October 23, 1963. 6 THE DON HENRY TRIO — SPAH Correspondence should be sent to: The tale of the legendary harmonica trio continues. SPAH, Inc. Part 2 of 3. P.O. Box 865 Troy, MI 48099-0865 12 HARMONETTA 101— EDITOR & PUBLISHER JP Pagán Phil Lloyd gets the inside scoop on this little known instrument ASSOC. EDITOR Jaine Rodack from one of the masters, Bob Herndon. COPY EDITOR Danny Wilson SPAH BOARD OF DIRECTORS 17 RASCALS AT THE ‘ROUGE— Tom Stryker President L.J. Atkison Vice President A Harmonica Rascals movie 50 years in the making. Eugene Hansen Treasurer Elizabeth Atkison Secretary 21 SPAH 2011 Factsheet— Roger Bale Membership Director JP Pagán Magazine Editor The early word on the next convention! Bob Cohen Webmaster Warren Bachman Marketing Director 22 Harmonicas & Health— Two reports from the SPAH 2010 convention. Paul Metris Sergeant at Arms Norm Dobson International Liaison Danny Wilson SPAH Historian 26 BEHIND THE BASH— Paul Davies Advisor What it’s like to be the host club at a SPAH convention. COMMITTEES Harmonicas & Health 28 Spotlight— Terry Rand Chairman The one and only Sgro Brothers. Entertainment Winslow Yerxa Chairman SPAH Advisory Committee L.J. Atkison Chairman Convention Committee Elizabeth Atkison Chairwoman Harmonica Events SPAH FOUNDER For the latest information on these events, see the Earl Collins 1924 -1988 Events page on the SPAH website: www.spah.org SPAH MEMBERSHIPS Jon Gindicks’ Blues Harmonica Jam Camp All memberships are on a calendar year basis, beginning Jan. 1. Clarksdale, MI May 24-28 and Sept 27-Oct 1 Membership entitles each member www.bluesharmonicajamcamp.com to receive a full year’s issues of or call Jon at 310-457-8278 Harmonica Happenings plus discounts at SPAH’s annual conventions. Hill Country Harmonica: CHANGE OF ADDRESS A North Mississippi Blues Harp Homecoming To insure receiving your next copy, send Waterford, MI May 21-22 both your old and new address to: www.hillcountryharmonica.com Membership Director, SPAH, Inc. or contact Adam Gussow at [email protected] P.O. Box 865, Troy, MI 48099-0865 SPAH 2011 SPAH’S WEBSITE Virginia Beach, VA Aug 9-13 www.spah.org www.spah.org HARP-L INFORMATION or contact Elizabeth Atkison at [email protected] www.harp-l.org 2010 - 2011 Corporate Sponsors The SPAH Corporate Sponsorship Program benefits SPAH, its members and the sponsors. The sponsors listed below have demonstrated their dedication to the preservation and advancement of the harmonica by actively participating in SPAH conventions and other activities and by financially supporting the organization. They deserve the thanks, recognition and support of SPAH members. Hohner, Inc. Andy Garrigue, Harmonica Marketing Manager 804-591-3741 www.hohnerusa.com Suzuki Musical Instruments Daron Stinton Harmonica/school Division Manager (800) 854-1594 www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas Rupert Oysler (828) 262-1088 www.seydel1847.com President’s Letter STEP RIGHT UP half with great expertise and dedi- I ask that all of you that have cation. Without this, SPAH would the skills and experience con- not survive and we all know that we sider running for office. Let Win- want it to live on. slow know you are interested —or With this in mind, I have ap- let him know of others that might pointed Winslow Yerxa with one qualify— at Winslowyerxa@yahoo. person from our membership, yet to com. This is your SPAH and your be announced, to head an election opportunity to give back. committee to seek candidates to run Soon, we will be converting our for the office of president and vice membership program to an on- president. A little early you might line system with a company called ask? Not so when you consider that MemberClicks. We will begin this the only opportunity to chat openly year and complete it by 2012. opefully, the winter is with the candidates will be this year With the new system, we will fur- starting to subside. We at the SPAH convention because the ther our goal of complete integra- have all experienced ma- election occurs in April of 2012. tion of SPAH’s business in one lo- jor climate changes that This year we will have a “Meet the cation which provides access from Hwere not expected while our econo- Candidates” forum at SPAH where any part of the nation. This will be my, national and world affairs con- the candidates can introduce them- a huge step forward and members tinue to be in turmoil. The best part selves, share their vision for the fu- will also benefit. Roger Bale will is we are overcoming all of this and ture, tell you why you should vote be on board with us through 2012 making progress. for them and answer your ques- but we will need another member- Looking forward and rearward, tions. This is a first for SPAH, but ship director to start training. This it is now time to start planning for the changes and growth demand it. is very important and I ask those of the administration change that will Further, candidates must become you who may be interested to con- occur in August of 2012. That is fully informed of SPAH’s internal tact me for further discussion. when SPAH will have a new presi- activities prior to taking office so I also need a financial person to dent, vice president, cabinet and di- he/she can hit the ground running. begin learning the duties of SPAH rectors. This is important stuff and I feel it is an honor to be an ad- treasurer. If you have this experi- not to be taken lightly. SPAH has ministrator for SPAH. Hard work ence, please contact me. been moving in a very positive di- yes, but great satisfaction in know- By the way, we have experienced rection and it must continue. Easy ing that I am giving back to an or- some difficulties with distribution to say, but not easy to accomplish ganization that has given so much of Harmonica Happenings. Please without leadership. to me and everyone else. The posi- let us know if you are not receiving Leadership comes at a price for tions of president and vice president your copy. individuals. There is no compensa- will require many business skills Thanks and keep warm, tion for the administrators except to which Winslow will speak, but their paid trip to the conventions. most of all dedication and hard Tom Throughout the year, the adminis- work. These are not “sit back and (775) 853-5118 tration works diligently on your be- let others do the work” positions. [email protected] Winter 2011 3 What is SPAH? SPAH is an organization whose objective is to preserve and respect the colorful past of the harmonica, while advancing its acceptance, in all its many forms, as a bona fide musical instrument. Among the mem- bership are individuals and entire families, accomplished musicians as well as beginners, and people of all ages. Many members have played or do play the harmonica professionally. Their music styles, ranging through Country, Blues, Popular, and Classical, can be enjoyed via recordings or live performances. The many benefits of SPAH will be available to you as a member. You are welcome to join SPAH regardless of playing ability or style. SPAH also welcomes members who just like to listen to harmonica music. You will be joining people from around the world to preserve and advance the harmonica. For more information on SPAH visit our website at www.spah.org. Join SPAH - The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica What SPAH does: * Sponsors an annual International Harmonica Convention featuring classes, entertainment by professional harmonica players, and camaraderie. * Distributes information on harmonicas and harmonica playing * Recognizes and honors those who preserve and advance the harmonica * Encourages the formation of local harmonica clubs * Supports groups organizing harmonica conventions * Maintains a website at www.spah.org * Sponsors an online harmonica discussion group and an online harmonica club news service Member benefits: * Subscription to Harmonica Happenings, our quarterly magazine with harmonica news from around the world including seminar and convention listings, articles on playing techniques, repairs, harmonica clubs and famous harmonica players and groups, and information on recently released recordings and harmonica products. * Discounts on SPAH’s annual International Harmonica Convention NEW MEMBER SPAH APPLICATION NAME ______________________________________________________________________ BIRTH DATE ___________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________________ PHONE (______)_________________________ CITY ___________________________ STATE____________ ZIP ______________ E-MAIL _______________________________ COUNTRY (if other than USA) _____________________________ CLUB NAME ________________________________________________ CITY _________________________________ ST _____ I Play These Harmonicas: Other Harmonica-Related Activities: Diatonic Chromatic Chord Compose Arrange Bass Other: ______________ Teach Collect Harmonicas Enclose $45 for individual membership or $60 for Family. U.S. funds only, made payable to SPAH, Inc. Mail to: Membership Director, SPAH, Inc., P.O. Box 865, Troy, MI 48099-0865 If you prefer, you can fill out the membership form and pay your membership fee using a credit card by logging onto the SPAH website: www.spah.org. 4 Harmonica Happenings Editor’s Letter WInTRy MIx love winter.