1. Selections for the 2008 HAAM Compilation CD have been made;

2. The next general meeting for HAAM is scheduled for September 9, 2008;

3. Check out the latest updates to the HAAM Website;

4. Upcoming events of interest: Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA), FarWest, and the Kerrville Wine and Music Festival.

1. 2008 HAAM Compilation CD:

After a two-month process, the judging crew finished the difficult task of selecting songs for the 2008 HAAM compilation disc.  Members of the crew included artists with cuts on the original HAAM compilation disc, as well as other accomplished musicians, recording artists and engineers. On the basis of the judges’ evaluations, twenty songwriters have been invited to include their songs on the 2008 compilation disc. These 20 songs will be officially part of the project when release forms have been signed and returned to HAAM by the songwriters. All songs are excellent representations of the quality of HAAM musicians and all exemplify the best of Houston music, in the same historic tradition as the first HAAM compilation. The selection process was greatly streamlined and improved through the efforts of Pete Simple, our genius webmaster, and by the hard work of the judges.  Special thanks to all the judges: Bill Aspinwall, Mark Beets, David Britton, Lawrence Clark, Lloyd Daniel, Jim Kam, Connie Mims and Selia Qynn.

The CD team has planned for the CD to be produced with a four sided color insert in a jewel case and Selia Qynn has designed a beautiful cover promoting “Genuine Texas Music by Genuine Texas Musicians”. Advance order forms for the CD will be available at the next HAAM meeting. We’re keeping the cost of the CD to a mere 10 bucks! Plus, Patti Sullivan has generously produced a new HAAM bumper sticker and made them available for free with each advance order or for a minimum $1.00 donation at our next meeting. Put them on your guitar or instrument case, car bumper, window, any place to announce your membership and promote HAAM! Any profits from CD sales will go to our HAAM Radio Show which airs on KPFT 90.1. The CD release party is scheduled for October 26 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at JP Hops House. Details will be forthcoming.

2. HAAM Meeting September 9, 2008:

Please mark your calendars now to attend our next general meeting. Kat Rose has volunteered to host the meeting at Mainstreet Crossing on September 9, 2008. Our meeting will start at 7:00pm. Open mike to follow from 8:00 to 10:00pm. Danny Everitt hosts the open mike. It would be nice to have a head count of who would like to be included in the OM line-up. Danny will put your name on the list if you let him know in advance. danny@dannyeveritt.com Mainstreet Crossing, 111 West Main Street, Tomball, TX 77375 (281-290-0431)

3. Website updates www.haam.us:

Pete has the Member bio pages up and running. If you are a registered member on the blog you can put a valid bio and picture on the haam site yourself!! While you’re there, also check out the Addresses link to make sure we have all your current contact information (note: if you need access to the address book please contact pete for the password)

4. Upcoming events:

The Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) is Oct 2-5 at the Radisson Austin North. Although all of this is not yet up on the websites, www.swrfa.com or their MySpace, www.myspace.com/swrfa, the rates for this year’s conference and rooms are the same as last year. Dalis Allen, Conference Coordinator is recommending going ahead and using last year’s form to register. One note to make clear…..Aug 15 is the deadline for submission to the formal showcase!!! Also, SWRFA is offering a scholarship, free admission, to one member of HAAM.

Ken Gaines is the contact point and will take all the help he can get.

Info on FarWest is at www.Far-West.org. The deadline for submissions for formal showcases is already past as well as early registration.  The dates are Oct 24-26 at the Phoenix Marriot Mesa in Phoenix, AZ. This is about as close to us mileage-wise as this conference will ever get. If enough folks are interested, you can still register and book a guerrilla showcase room for this conference. The deadline being Sept. 20 or until they run out. Contact Ken Gaines at http://www.kengaines.com or Cell 281-723-8744.

Labor Day weekend, Aug. 29-31 the Kerrville Wine & Music Festival takes place at Quiet Valley Ranch featuring over 20 songwriters. Check out www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com for the 2008 Wine and Music schedule.

Hope to see you all at the meeting.

“Great things are happening!”

Sheryl

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New updated HAAM Radio Listing (by Joanne Sprott)

Mar 24    Celeste Terrell
Mar 31    April Kelly
Apr   7     Brian Ashley Jones
Apr  14    David Brake and That Damn Band
Apr  21    Buddy Allen and Sherrie Koy
Apr  28    Bob Pryor
May   5    Adam and Lena
May 12    TBA
May 19     Jonathon Dewvealll
May  26    Dan Ennis