HAAMster Press

Thanks to everyone who came out to our general meeting on Sunday, February 28th at Lynn’s Longbranch Saloon. We had a great time and learned and shared so much, I hope you will enjoy this newsletter and share it with all your friends!

1. Election of two HAAM Wheel Members replacing Kat Rose and Ken Gaines
2. Report on International Folk Alliance
a. Folk Alliance (http://www.folkalliance.org/ dates Feb. 16-20, 2011 in Memphis, TN
b. SWRFA (Southwest Regional Folk Alliance) http://www.swrfa.com dates Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2010 in Austin, TX
3. Report on Kerrville Folk Festival http://www.kerrville-music.com
a. Dates May 27-June 13, 2010
b. New Folk accepting submissions through March 15, 2010
c. Newbies can throw in with either Camp Stupid, Camp CALM, or Camp Toto Grande
4. Report on Wildflower Festival http://www.wildflowerfestival.com
a. Performing Songwriters Content submissions until March 8, 2010. For flyer email Ken Gaines ken’@’kengaines.com
b. Dates May 14-16, 2010
5. Academy of Texas Music Awards http://www.texasmusicawards.org
a. Academy members voting until March 4, 2010
b. May 15, 2010 at the Marshall Convention Center, Marshall, Texas, with Guest Host B. J. Thomas
6. HAAM Radio Show
7. New Business

Thanks so much to Ken Gaines our MC for this meeting and his opening remarks. All of us thank him and Kat Rose for their years of service and innumerable contributions to HAAM.

1. Election of two HAAM Wheel Members replacing Kat Rose and Ken Gaines

The HAAM “Wheel” is comprised of 7 members, 3 permanent and 4 elected on a rotating basis, who are in charge of voting in new policy, keeping records and administering and approving HAAM events. With Ken Gaines and Kat Rose completing their 4 year rotations, Brian Kalinec and Pete Lippincott a/k/a Pete Simple were nominated and elected as our two new Wheelies!

2. Report on International Folk Alliance

Tom Tranchilla gave us an inside look at this year’s International Folk Alliance which was held Feb. 17-21 in Memphis. For the sixth year, HAAM hosted an in-room showcase, exposing our organization to attendees from all over North America, the UK, Canada, Europe and Australia. Keep this event in mind for next year, Feb. 16-20, 2011. For more information, contact Tom at Tomtranchilla2’@’aol.com. Ken Gaines also hosts an Anderson Fair show case, and Glynace Eastham hosts the Sugar Babies show case. Email: Easthamg’@’yahoo.com

Start planning now to attend the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance to be held in Austin Sept. 30-Oct. 3. This Conference represents Texas, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico. HAAM and Anderson Fair will be hosting rooms. Reduced rates are available for HAAM members. The seminar topics address many facets of the music business – booking and tour planning, agents and managers, music law, the internet, getting airplay, studio know-how, song sharing and discussion, wellness while on the road and looking for alternate ways to get our music to the world, such as in schools and film. Artists, managers, agents, venue operators, as well as folks who come to listen enthusiastically find a common bond, make new friends, discover new music, have fun and learn. So come on down and enjoy some Southwestern hospitality in the Capitol City! Contact Ken Gaines at ken’@’kengaines.com.

3. Report on Kerrville Folk Festival

The Kerrville Folk Festival at Quiet Valley Ranch, 9 miles south of the Texas Hill Country resort community of Kerrville, has announced an exciting festival schedule for its 39th annual events. Once again, this legendary songwriters’ festival will run for 18 straight days, from May 27 through June 13, 2010.

The entry period for the prestigious New Folk is open only until March 15!! They have received 475 applicants toward the cut off number of 800. Go immediately to www.kerrville-music.com for complete entry guidelines!

If you have never attended the Folk Festival, there is truly something for everyone at this festival. Held each year since 1972, it is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. Over the years it has become known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical styles – a place where those just beginning to develop their skills have an opportunity to play their music along with those who are masters. Emerging songwriters as well as teachers are drawn to the festival’s many learning opportunities, such as the Annual Songwriters School, the Roots/Blues Guitar Workshop, Harmonica Workshop, and the Professional Development Program for Teachers. Camping, campfire jam sessions, concerts, activities for kids, “Ballad Tree” song sharing sessions, Hill Country bikes rides, canoe trips on the Guadalupe, Sunday Folk Song Services, Saturday Shabbat Services, and much more. For a complete festival schedule, including performers, visit www.kerrville-music.com. Campers can find a place to pitch their tent at Camp Stupid, Camp CALM (Conroe Association of Live Music), or Camp Toto Grande.

4. Report on Wildflower Festival

The 18th annual award winning multi-day arts and music festival in Richardson, Texas takes place May 14-16, 2010. The deadline for submissions to the 2010 Performing Songwriter Contest is March 8!!! For a flyer, you can contact Ken Gaines or visit the website at www.wildflowerfestival.com.

5. Academy of Texas Music Awards ward-w

The 8th Annual Texas Music Awards will be held May 15, 2010, at the Marshall Convention Center in Marshall, Texas, with guest host, B. J. Thomas. Voting is open until March 4th. To vote, please join at www.academyoftexasmusic.org.
The following HAAM members are Nominees:
Male Vocalist of the Year:
Mark Beets
Vocal Duo or Group of the Year:
Shake Russell
Producer of the Year:
Robert Frith
Randy Thomas for Larry Sepulvado
Singer/Songwriter of the Year:
Steve Brooks
Robert Frith
Album of the Year:
Matt Harlan Tips & Compliments
Rising Star:
Dewey Wayne
Broadcast Radio Station of the Year:
KPFT 90.1
6. HAAM Radio Show

As you should know by now, the HAAM Radio Show previously broadcast was cancelled in July. However, we still have a 30 minute presence on 90.1 KPFT on Sunday evenings at 6 p.m. with a Songwriters Studio which does air interviews and live performances, but does not allow the opportunity to play CD’s.

Pete Simple volunteered to check into the viability of a podcast show. The advantage to internet radio is that it can be listened to at any time. Mark Zeus and Jim Kam will be working with Pete on this project.

7. New Business

April Kelly asked for a volunteer writer for the HAAM newsletter, as this will be my last post. Bruce Poppe will be your new news writer.

April will continue posting to the HAAM Group on Facebook, so if you are a Facebook member, please add us as your friend!

In other news, Pete has added a Twitter feed to the www.haam.us website.

The Texas Songwriters Serenade is April 23-24, 2010, in Hallettsville, Texas. For rules and information, visit www.fiddlersfrolic.com, or contact Mike Stroup at 713-598-6331.

Mark Zeus welcomed us to Lynn’s Longbranch Saloon. Mark hosts an open mic night on Mondays at 8 p.m. Thanks Lynn’s management and staff for hosting our meeting and for the hot dogs!

Danny Everitt announced that Main Street Crossing in Tomball is no longer hosting open mics. But a new venue, the Crescent Moon Wine Bar, 440 Rayford Road #115, Spring, TX 77386 (281) 364-9463 www.crescentmoonwinebar.com will hold open mic Wednesday nights. And Thursday nights, there is an open mic at Zachary’s Cajun Café 716 Kingwood Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 – (281) 359-2256
(www.zacharyscajuncafe.com)
Send Pete pete’@’petesimple.com an email for updated open mic information.
Christy Claxton, formerly Bear Creek Concerts, shared information with us on the Peace from the Porch project that benefits community agencies that support victims of domestic violence, and the ezine, Stave, which recently featured an article on Glynace Eastham’s musical childhood in Louisiana. For complete information and opportunities, please visit www.christyclaxton.com.
Once again, we are asking you to update your HAAM email address and tell everyone you know to do so! Without this, our numbers and outreach dwindle. April Kelly and Chris Collins founded this organization to (1) develop and share resources with our membership and the greater Houston Community (2) to create an identity for the Houston acoustic music scene by encouraging awareness (3) to provide and explore opportunities for social and professional development and networking. There are no financial dues and there is not a president or chairperson. All members are equal. Our dues are the effort that each individual puts forward to promote Houston acoustic music. It’s all up to you! Together we do a lot! Spread the word any way you can – tell people what we’re doing!
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life!”
Sheryl

Reminder – Meeting Sun. Feb. 28th 3 p.m.

Originally posted by April Kelly on Facebook:

Hello HAAMsters! Long time no see! I have a few HAAMy items to share with you in this newsletter:

1.) Big HAAM General Meeting and Family Reunion! Sunday, Feb 28, 3pm at Lynn’s Longbranch Saloon, 5505 Pinemont (just E. of Antoine) Houston, TX 713/686-8668

It’s been QUITE awhile but it’s time for a HAAM meeting! Ken Gaines will be officiating this time (thanks, Ken!) and there’s a lot to cover:

** Two new HAAMster Wheel members will be elected to two posts for 4 year terms, taking the place of former wheelies Ken Gaines and Kat Rose. Anyone within the HAAM organization can be nominated for a wheel position. There are 7 Wheel Members, 3 permanent and 4 elected on a rotating basis, which are in charge of voting in new policy, keeping records and administering and approving HAAM events. If you are interested in nominating someone, please post your nomination onto the HAAM Facebook site. Nominated members need to be able to commit to meetings and responsibilities over the next 4 years, so please make sure that they WANT to be nominated before nominating!!

** Wildflower Music Festival Songwriting Contest, International Folk Alliance, Upcoming Kerrville Folk Festival and where HAAMsters can hang out over there plus various other music oriented issues and opportunities. If you have something that you’d like to discuss at the meeting, please contact Ken Gaines via Facebook to let him know so that he can get you on the agenda.

Be sure to bring your instruments ‘cause we’ll be taking over the open mic until 6pm after the meeting! (Mark Zeus will be hosting the open mic.) All interested parties- performers, venues, fans – all are welcome to attend. No dues – HAAM is a very informal group. For those not familiar, here’s the mission info:

HAAM- The Houston Association of Acoustic Musicians is a not-for-profit community of Acoustic Musicians and those who support acoustic music in the Greater Houston Area.
OUR MISSION
* To develop and share resources with our membership and the Greater Houston Community.
* To create an identity for the Houston acoustic music scene by encouraging awareness.
* To provide and explore opportunities for social and professional
development and networking.

Directions:
GENERAL LANDMARK- There is a CVS Pharmacy on the SE corner of Antoine and Pinemont. Lynn’s Longbranch is one block behind it on Pinemont.

From 610 or 290 W.- Take 290 W. to 34th St./Antoine exit, pass 34th to next light Antoine, take a right (N.) pass 43rd St., approx. 3/4 mi. to Pinemont, take a right (E.) Lynn’s Longbranch is 1 block up on right.

From Beltway or 290 E.- Take 290 E. to Pinemont/Bingle/ 43rd St. exit, immediately get to right of feeder, first overpass is Pinemont, take cloverleaf on right the other side of the overpass, you will be heading on Pinemont E. continue past Bingle, approx. 3/4 mi. pass Antoine, Lynn’s Longbranch is on the right 1 block up.

From I-45:
From the South- Take 45 N. to 610 W. to 290 W. then follow directions from 290 W. above.
From the North- Take 45 S. to Tidwell Rd. exit, take a right on Tidwell
(W.) cruise about 3 mi. you’ll pass Shepherd, Wheatley and TC Jester, next main road is Antoine, take a left on Antoine (S.) go approx. 1/2 mi. to Pinemont, take a left on Pinemont (E.) Lynn’s Longbranch is 1 block up on right.

From 249/Tomball:
Take 249 S. past the beltway to Antoine, take a right on Antoine (S.) go approx. 5 mi. You’ll pass W. Mount Houston, W. Gulf Bank, Victory, W.
Little York, and Tidwell. Next main street is Pinemont, take a left on Pinemont (E.) Lynn’s Longbranch is 1 block up on right.
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2. Wildflower Music Festival Songwriting Contest & NewFolk Songwriting Contest (KFF) Information:

Two major songwriting contests are now calling for entrants and we sure would like to see some HAAMsters winning these events! The following links should take you to the appropriate places to sign on:

A. Wildflower Festival – Deadline is March 8, 2010. Our man Matt Harlan was one of the 4 winners last year – Maybe he’ll do it again…Or, you could be next! Here’s the link:

http://www.wildflowerfestival.com/content/SingerSongwriter.html

B. Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Contest – Deadline is March 30, 2010. First 800 entries will be accepted before then. 300 have entered already, so get your songs in! Here’s the link:

http://www.kerrville-music.com/newfolk.htm

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3. International Folk Alliance – February 17-21 in Memphis, TN
Brian Kalinec and Tom Tranchilla are in charge of our HAAM presence in Memphis this year. Several Austin artists and Berkalin Recording artists will join HAAM in our showcase room, I’m hearing. If you wish to attend, please contact Brian Kalinec or Tom Tranchilla via Facebook or post your request to the HAAM Facebook page and we’ll get you hooked up. Better hurry, though!
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That’s it for now! I hope to see SCADS at the meeting!! Get your songs out to the contests and get involved within your local music community – Great things are happening!!
Your sister in song, ) April Kelly
(aka: April Kelly Clark Hilland, on Facebook)