There are also times you reach in your life where you realize you have to let go of some of the relationships and commitments you make in order to give the proper time and energy to the things most important in your own life - family, friends, career, and your own musical interests. That came home to me over the past few weeks as new opportunities for pursing some long term career interests and some new musical opportunities have come a knockin at my door.
Looking back it's clear that the MVBGA has done a great job of keeping Bluegrass on the local radar and brought together a lot of the people who play the music and keep the flame alive locally. Working for the past years with the directors and officers has been fun, and personally has helped me learn a lot in my efforts to help the group. I've really enjoyed writing the press releases, helping raise money, and promote the MVBGA and along the way made new friends in all those areas.
So it was a blessing and opportunity when at this years election two very good candidates stepped forward to seek board seats. Over the years working with the group one thing is certain - good volunteers are rare, and to have two seek a board seat and one denied seemed like a waste. I was not going to remain on the board anyway after my term ended and this would be a good way for both to get involved right away.
Several folks have asked me if I'll still be involved - yes I plan to remain an active member, but not as active as in the past. Folks have also asked me what I think the group needs to do so in short here are a few of my opinions.
1) Make the group more accessible to younger musicians - remember newgrass? We hold jams when most 20 and 30's are sleeping on Saturday mornings, and we also hold them in places a bit away from the Utica Rome area.
2) Diversify the musical offerings - It's OK to promote the bands the younger folks listen to - like the Rusty Doves and Strung Sideways - they are a gateway to the more traditional - get em in the door and they will go down the same roads we followed to get to traditional Bluegrass.
3) A summer festival seems to be a big undertaking for little return. In my opinion the group should do something else. If the group wants to continue perhaps expand the offering to include some more acoustic traditional music like Old Time, Cajun and perhaps a few younger bands - a bigger audience will bring more members.
4) Make membership lifetime - it makes no sense that we have 100 active and 150 former members. Once your in you stay in. Email makes it cheap to maintain. Also, for those that benefit from our group (ie come to jams and don't join, or bands and individuals that cant fork over a few bucks) - let em know we don't appreciate takers.
5) (This is one area I could have done a better job of if I'd only had more time to give) Have a person in charge of relationships with the local arts venues - we don't co-ordinate with folks like KAC, Park Coffeehouse, Stanley, Capitol etc and invite these folks to share their thoughts and ideas how we can promote our music.
All that said looking back since the beginning I'm very proud of what the group has accomplished. The Officers and Director who have served have left the organization in excellent financial condition, and in a position to accomplish whatever goals the new board and membership want to accomplish. Job well done!!!!
I look forward to the continued growth and success of the MVBGA!
