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A Florida Non-Profit 501(c)3 Corporation
| Note from President |
Greetings, OBBS members and soon-to-be members!
I’ve been here since before day one—from “what if” conversations on the BOSS
Board, to that sunny afternoon X years ago that a handful of us met at the
Smokee Tavern to talk about putting this society together, to talk about bringing
together all those people in Central Florida who loved blues music, about pooling
our resources and being a united front. I wrote the Articles of Incorporation
and the Bylaws. I’ve served on the Board of Directors since day one (with a
short, self-imposed hiatus). I’ve been Secretary, Treasurer and Vice President.
I’ve watched the OBBS grow from a few to over 150 members under the
guidance of former Presidents, Tim Williams, Zaida Zoller and Jerry Waller. It
is with cautious excitement that I now step into the role of President of the
Orange Blossom Blues Society.
I haven’t always loved blues music. For the better part of my life, I never gave
it a chance. Then, one day a few years back, I was invited to King Snake
Recording Studios in Sanford, Florida for a recording session. I remember it
vividly (as would anyone who ever visited King Snake!). I sat in the engineering
room and watched and listened. It was the Roach Thompson Blues Band and I
was bowled over at how the music stirred me. It was so real. I had to have
more. And I did. I left King Snake that day with loads of CDs, courtesy of Bob
Greenlee. I had me some Sonny Rhodes, Ace Moreland, Eric Culbertson, James
Peterson ... and more. And I listened and fell more in love and I’m still in love
to this day.
I didn’t get involved in starting this blues society or keeping it going because
I'm a musician. I don’t play a single instrument and I’m not in a band. I did it
because I’m a fan of the music ... with a passion. I want the world to fall in
love just like I did. I want the world to understand the history and significance
of this music. And I have to start right here in Central Florida.
I want to continue moving forward with our mission: Preserve, Promote &
Present! I want to continue the growth nurtured by Tim, Zaida and Jerry. And I
want us all to have some fun while doing so.
I have three major goals while I’m serving as President:
1. Increase our membership;
2. Increase our Blues in the Schools program offering; and,
3. Bring more regional and national blues acts to the Central Florida area
by working with local promoters and sponsors.
I can’t accomplish these goals alone so look for me to be knocking on your door—
make that pounding on your door, if necessary. Let’s stay focused, let’s stay
positive, let’s have fun and let’s Preserve, Promote & Present!
Look out Central Florida!