August 2010

My heart is heavy as I write this letter.  My Dad passed away yesterday and I as I sit here in his chair I can almost hear the sound of his voice.  My Dad had a blessed life of 89 years where he and my Mom raising 9 children of whom he loved unconditionally.  My Dad was a gentle soul and lived his life by the golden rule with an unshakeable belief in God.  He was fortunate to have lived 64 years with the love of his life & died with his rosary in his hands.  I was blessed with some quality time alone with my Dad at the end and I feel very fortunate to have that memory to hold on to. I know you all can relate to a loss of someone you held so dear and I thought I would be better prepared but I found that not to be true.  Daddy I’m going to miss you.  But one thing my Dad taught me is responsible for your actions and because I was late getting this letter causing Monica to get the newsletter out late.  Please accept my apology.

But the show must go on and The Greater Ozark Blues Festival is just around the corner. On September 10 & 11 the party will be happening behind Schultz & Dooley’s in Chesterfield Village.   It is going to be an exciting show with stellar line up. Friday night with the Bel airs, a regional favorite, Grady Champion, he will knock your socks off, & Super Chikan, you will need your dancing shoes.   Saturday we start off with one of our favorite local bands with Trip Wire, our International Blues Competition entry followed by Marques Knox, OMG he may be young but he has an old blues soul.  Barbara Blue, a Memphis favorite followed by Homemade Jam, these kids are unbelievable for any age but since the oldest member of the band isn’t even old enough to be in a bar you will be blown away by these kids.  To wrap up the festival with the legendary Bernard Allison, Chicago Blues at its best.   Don’t forget the 2nd stage where our local talent will be showcased with Nathan Keck & the Underground Blues Division, Full Moon Blues Division, Nigel and the ghost and Black Suede.  This is an unbelievable value at $25 for the both days in advance & $30 at the door.  We have rolled back the beer prices and have tried to make it affordable for all our Blues Fans.   This truly is a our Blues Festival this year and we are striving to make it the best Blues  Festival that we can but we need everyone’s help getting the word out.   As Al’s Happy Hens would say we are putting our eggs in one basket this year and with everyone’s help we will make it a festival to remember. If you would like to volunteer you can reach email us through the web site or email bluesvoluteer@gmail.com  you can even give me a call at 417-860-5078.   We haven’t contacted the volunteers yet but we will be soon and as always for one shift you get free admission for the entire festival.

If you have anything that you would like to donate to the baskets for the artists please let me know.  We love to put in items that are homemade or locally produced.   The basket cases have been making up baskets for the artist for several years and we want to make this even better.  If you would like to donate to the baskets either email me through the website or at patappraiser@aol.com please put baskets in the subject line so I don’t miss it or call me at 417-860-5078.

The weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot at the picnic, Black Suede, heated the stage up until it almost spontaneously combusted.  We sure miss John Marks but he left the band in good hands.  Don’t forget the next picnic is August 15 at the post on Scenic.  Don’t mind the weather the Post has provided a large tent & Frank & the boys put some around the site for some additional shade.  The money from the picnics is the major source of income to keep the society going please come out and support the Blues Society.

Our next meeting is going to be held August 11 at the Oasis Convention Center at 2546 N Glenstone we get started around 7 pm and Oasis provides us a special menu that has something affordable for everyone.   See ya then.
Cruizin for the blues