Hey there, SAMF members and supporters.
The summer of 2026 was a busy and productive one for the foundation. We were able to continue some established partnerships and projects, and to break ground on brand new projects as well. We owe all of this to your support.
Most recently, Borderland Band Camp, the product of a partnership with Buffalo Music Club and the Borderland festival, celebrated its third year with its largest and most diverse class of student musicians yet. When we started this project three years back, we had a class of 9 students. This year, 32 young musicians-in-the-making enrolled, and over four intense and productive days, our team of pro musician mentors broke this student body down into separate ensembles, and prepared them for the biggest gigs of their lives to date – an hour-plus set at the Borderland Festival at Knox Farm State Park.
The kids truly knocked it out of the park during day 3 of Borderland, playing to the Camp’s largest crowd yet, on a bill that included the likes of Jack White, Pixies, Alabama Shakes, Lord Huron, and dozens more. It’s not far-fetched to suggest that this program is changing lives in real time, and it wouldn’t be possible without you. Your support allowed SAMF and the BMC to award thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to deserving students who wold not have been able to participate in the camp otherwise. Thank you!
In other news, our Buffalo 9 to 5: A Soundtrack for Working People song contest is going quite well. For this project, Assemblyman Pat Burke teamed with SAMF to create an original song contest that will bring together Western New York musicians to create a new album celebrating organized labor and the experiences of working people.
Musicians from across Western New York and from all musical genres have been invited to submit original songs inspired by work, workers, unions, economic dignity, solidarity and the role working people have played in shaping Buffalo and Western New York. Winning submissions will be selected for inclusion on an album produced through the Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation and Black Rock EPS, with selected artists compensated for their work. Deadline for submissions is November 15. Learn more about Buffalo 9 to 5, or submit a song for the contest, through Buffalo9to5.org and submit@buffalo9to5.org. I’ll keep you posted as the project develops.
Our Pathways to Success in Music & the Arts series, the result of a new partnership with the UB School of Music, is now underway. The series explores how individuals have transformed their passions and expertise into sustainable careers and entrepreneurial opportunities. Discussions may address building a personal brand, identifying new markets, developing multiple sources of income, navigating career transitions, financing creative ventures, and pursuing opportunities beyond traditional career paths.
On October 7, we presented the incredible guitarist, producer, composer, and music director Paul Pesco to The Cave for a discussion/q&a/master class performance that was free and open to all – students, professionals, and anyone interested in how the greats create sustainable lives and careers in an ever-changing music industry. Paul is an incredible musician and a great guy, with a musical resume that is pretty mind-boggling – he’s worked extensively with artists like Madonna, Hall & Oates, Dave Weckl, Al Green, C&C Music Factory, Steve Winwood, Whitney Houston, and so many more. The event, moderated by Marshall Lindsey of the UB School of Music, went very well, and offered insight into Paul’s ability to craft a meaningful career in music on his own terms, across multiple decades. Paul capped the evening off with a beautiful solo performance.
The series continues on Wednesday, October 28, when we present the beyond legendary drummer Omar Hakim at the Cave, beginning at 5:30pm. Across a career that includes significant, groundbreaking work with the likes of Weather Report, Sting’s Dream of the Blue Turtles band, David Bowie, Dire Straits, Daft Punk and hundreds more, Omar has earned a justified reputation as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Please join us and welcome him to buffalo on the 28th. Once again, admission is free!
We will be bringing our instrument petting zoo to Junior Jerry Jam at Asbury Hall on October 31, beginning at 11:30am. Pocketship will be performing, and Vin DeRosa, who did such a wonderful job for us during the Music is Art Festival in September, will be once again be running the instrument zoo.
SAMF is offering members an opportunity to attend a show by one of the most incisive Americana acts currently working. The Punch Brothers (Chris Thile, Chris Eldridge, Paul Kowert, Noam Pikelny and Brittany Haas) will be performing at the UB Center for the Arts on Sunday, November 15. Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation members can save $5 on tickets with the unlock offer code CFA26FRIENDS. We’ll also be giving away two pairs of tickets to the show to current SAMF members in early November. Stay tuned to find out how you can enter to win!
That’s all for now – but that’s a lot, isn’t it? Until next time!
Yours in music,
Jeff
Jeff Miers
Executive director, Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation
