Letter from our Founding Chairman of the Board, Dwane Hall
Hello Members of the SAM Foundation,
Five years ago, we started an historic journey to embrace Americana music and bring it to the attention of our area here in WNY. We have succeeded above and beyond. It’s with great pleasure for me to step aside as chairmen to make room for the next generation of younger, exciting and motivated persons to follow the general outline of what’s been started. I am also excited about Jay Hall taking over as a second-generation Chairman to help keep this train on the tracks. I would like to thank the founding board members, and everyone who is on the board at this moment, for their time. Tony, Peter, Bernie, Kenny, Dicky, Angela, Bob and Don. I have made friends that will last a lifetime. I will be hanging round as an adviser if needed and will keep a strong presence to help out with membership and events. This is beyond anything I could ever dream up. Please continue to support our foundation. We really are making a difference.
Musically Yours,
Dwane Hall
Welcome Members!
Thanks for all your support. We’re really on the path to fulfilling our mission because of you! Our JAM is jammed packed once again with accomplishments, projects, goals and a whole lot of interesting reads. Please see below to see a couple pictures from our annual Szelestfest, info about our next Emerging Artist Showcase, our famous ticket giveaways, our updated Education programs, and we hope to see you all at Trimania – SAMF will have our very own room with our very own music. READ BELOW
And once again, I urge you to keep your membership up to date and encourage your friends and family to join so that we may continue grow and do the good things we’re doing.
Thanks!
Angela Hastings, Director of Membership
On behalf of the board of SAMF, we thank all for reaching out & participating in the Emerging Artist Showcase, “Keeping The Flame Lit”
We don’t have to remind any musician how difficult it is to build a fan base and get gigs, It becomes more difficult when your genre might not be the flavor of the month. The Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation wants to help by offering showcase opportunities to those supporting the Americana genre / format. Periodically, we will be offering a showcase to help build a fan base, perform on a professional stage with lighting and full sound production and in some cases develop stage presence.
Sportsmen’s Tavern will host the event Monday April 9, 7-10
- 7 pm – 7:15 Introduction of the series, artists
- 7:20 – 7:50 Davey O
- 8pm – 8:35 Middlemen
- 8:40 – 9:15 Rockabilly Steve & The BR3 Blue Roadhouse Trio
- 9:20 – 10 pm Copper & Gin
All times are approximate.
Each musician will be paid $25. The cover is $3 and free for SAMF members
We encourage everyone to promote the showcase as they would any performance & encourage their fan base to attend and maybe become a member of our foundation.
Any questions can be directed to me, Ken.
Thanks,
Ken Biringer
https://www.facebook.com/events/2001536660166626/
Buffalo Bob Sez
As always, we have a lot going on in the coming months. On April 3rd, Foundation Night at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, we’ll be starting the new schedule of the SAM Foundation store, with what we’re calling a grand opening. Members Crystal Smith and Kim McCarthy have agreed to be the co-managers of the store. For now, the store will be open, for sure, every Tuesday night and Friday night from 6-10 PM. We’ll have SAM Foundation merch, and music and merch from the Tavern and all the bands who frequent Foundation events and the Tavern. We’ll also be adding more products in the future. Come by and visit the store on Tuesday April 3rd, the first Tuesday of the month when all members get in for free for The Twang Gang. And, we’ll be raffling off several pairs of free tickets to a variety of shows at Babeville, Buffalo Ironworks, 189 Public House and, of course, the world’s greatest Americana music venue-The Sportsmen’s Tavern.
We’ll have a presence at Boom Days on April 7th, details still being worked out. April 9th is our Emerging Artists Night at the Sportsmen’s Tavern, free to members, with four exciting new performers/bands going onstage; Davey O, Middlemen, Rockabilly Steve & the BR3 Blue Roadhouse Trio and Copper & Gin. On April 14th, we’ll be at TriMania for a big night with thousands of other music and arts fans. Our room on the third floor will feature Shaky Stage, Ten Cent Howl, The Steam Donkeys and David Miller and Other Sinners; see elsewhere in this issue. May 5th, we’re joining Flying Bison Brewery and The Buffalo Distilling Company for a Kentucky Derby party, featuring Creekbend, The Legendary Longjohns and The Brothers Blue.
Save the Date!
On Sunday, July 1st, we’ll be back at Silo City for our second annual Silo City Alive! Much more info to come; we’re meeting with Beave Sorenson and Jeff Schaller of Leroy Townes, and others in future sessions to work on all the details. It will be once again a music and arts event, inside and outside of the silos.
Free Tickets
Remember, as mentioned above there will be giveaways at the Foundation store on April 3rd. Stop by and maybe you’ll win tickets to Mountain Goats with Dead Rider at Babeville on April 20, or Carbon Leaf at Buffalo Ironworks on April 26, or Ray Bonneville at 189 Public House on April 26, or Mary Gauthier on April 23 and the THE BAND band on April 29, both at the Sportsmen’s Tavern.
Our free ticket opportunities for The JAM this month are:
SPORTSMEN’S TAVERN:
- Driftwood April 13
- Eric Anderson April 16
- David Lindley April 19
BABEVILLE:
- Marc Berger April 6
- Tommy Emmanuel with Suzy Bogguss April 16
- Fair City Fire with Nylon Otters April 29
BUFFALO IRONWORKS:
- Magic Beans April 7
- Rhythm Future Quartet April 13
189 PUBLIC HOUSE:
- Jason Eady April 8
Current members can email me by Sunday March 25th at 9 PM and tell me which shows you’d like to be entered into to win tickets.
Robert J. McLennan
President
SAM Foundation
PS. Watch the Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation Facebook page for more information on these and other events.
Education
“One of the key goals of the Foundation is to promote and expand awareness, appreciation and even passion for Americana music. Getting instruments into the hands and great music into the ears of kids throughout Western New York will help insure that the flame continues to glow.”
Holland Boys and Girls Club Ukulele Workshop
The Program headed by Doug Yeomans will be hitting the fifth week – the halfway mark – on Monday March 5th. The kids whose numbers range between 9 and 10 and ages 7 to 10, seem to be enjoying it and the goal is for them to perform a short recital at the end of the 10 weeks. I will be in attendance at the next session and should be able to get a sense of how the program is progressing.
Buffalo Boys and Girls Club at the South Buffalo Charter School
Headed by Mark Panfil, the Americana music appreciation program is heading into its fourth week. In addition to teaching songs, Mark is introducing guitar lessons into the program and as with the ukulele workshop, is planning on doing a recital for friends, family and staff at the end of the ten weeks. We’ve had ten students, ages from eight to eleven, participating in the program.
Rock and Roll Workshop at the International Preparatory School
Scheduled to re-convene for fourth time on Tuesday, March 13th, the workshop will once again be headed up by Tim Pitcher and Alan Whitney. The workshop will run 10 weeks and will culminate with a performance at the school talent show in mid June, followed hopefully by an encore performance at the multi-school talent show.
Americana Music Appreciation Program at the Valley Community Center
Also starting on Tuesday March 13th, this semester’s workshop will be headed by Helen Butler (Katie is unavailable due to her rehearsal schedule for “Once”, opening in May at Musicfaire). It is expected that Helen’s program will be designed similar to that of Katie’s, and Mark has agreed to help out especially at the start of the program. Helen is also planning on having several other guest performers join her throughout the workshop. And as has been the tradition, the workshop will culminate with a recital.
Community School at The International Preparatory School
As previously reported, Helen Butler and Mark Panfil teamed up to introduce participants in I-Prep’s first ever Community school Open house to musical instruments (via musical instrument “petting zoo”), provide basic tutorials on guitar, violin and keyboard and jammed along with all those willing to join in.
The open house was designed to gauge community interest in the various programs that were being offered through the program. With about a dozen vendors and workshops, ranging from technology, crafts and of course music, and attendance in the 300 range, the community school concept was well received.
Kicking off formally on the 10th, I-Prep will open its doors for seven Saturday mornings, two in March, April and May then one in June. Going forward Helen and Mark will provide musical instrument training along with guidance on how to play as a cohesive group, i.e., a band (similar to the Rock ‘N Roll Workshop). As previously reported, all compensation for Helen and Mark will be reimbursed by Bestself Behavioral Health, Building Brighter futures After school Programs (someone must have been paid by the letter for that name…)
Seneca Babcock Community Center – Potential Collaboration
Rita Tenika, Director of the center, and I have spoken a couple of times about her interest in having us do a music program at her center. I plan on meeting with Rita next week and in fact Rita may attend next Wednesday’s session of Mark Panfil’s program at the South Buffalo Charter School. I’ll keep you posted on new developments.
“Great first day at I-Prep’s community school initiative. Can you spot the very cool special guest sittin’ in with the kids?
Summary
For winter/spring semester of 2018, The Sportsmen’s AMF will have a record five multi-session music workshops up and running, partnering with four and possibly a fifth school or community center. Total number of young Western New Yorker’s involved will be 60 or more, utilizing the talents of five or more musicians/educators.
Don Nelson,
Vice President, SAMF
Events
Szelestfest
Thanks to everybody who came out to support the SAM Foundation at SzelestFest on March 11th. You were all rewarded with a great show from our SzelestFest Band, led by Doug Yeomans. What an all-star band, Ron Davis and Jimmy Ehinger on keyboards, Pete Holguin on drums, Steve Sadoff on bass and Matt Harris on sax. Thanks to Dave Oestreicher for handling the 50/50 split club. Jim Moscato won $260 and donated a generous portion back to the Foundation.
Join the Sportsmen’s Americana Music Foundation at Trimania 2018! We’ll have a room on the 3rd floor with four great bands, Foundation information, and more.
SHAKY STAGE, TEN CENT HOWL, STEAM DONKEYS and DAVID MILLER and OTHER SINNERS
Trimania 2018: A Fundraiser for Buffalo Arts Studio
On Saturday, April 14, 2018, Buffalo Arts Studio will welcome more than 3000 guests to Trimania–an epic celebration of art, culture, and music at Tri-Main Center located on Main Street in Buffalo. Every three years—for one night and one night only—Buffalo Arts Studios transforms six floors of Tri-Main Center, a former manufacturing facility, with live bands, DJs, dancers, performers, poets, and visual artists.
The event also provides an opportunity to discover the vast Tri-Main Center. Guests can explore over 520,000 square feet of artist studios, creative businesses, and interesting architecture all while they take in the crowds, performers, and installations throughout the building. One part art exhibit, two parts music fest, and three parts party, Trimania is one of the premier special events in Western New York and a highlight of Buffalo’s cultural and economic renaissance. You won’t want to miss it!
Saturday, April 14, 2018
8:00PM – 1:00AM
VIP Party: 6:30PM – 8:00PM
Tickets:
$25 early bird/$30 at the door
$50 VIP/$80 VIP Couple
Member News
If you are an Active member and do not have a SAMF membership card, please email me at samusicfoundation@gmail.com. If you are unsure if you’re an Active member, please don’t hesitate to ask.
NOTE: To receive discounts, you must show your membership card. To enter to win tickets, you must be an Active member. And as always, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the email address above.
DISCOUNTS FOR MEMBERS
The discounts we’ve arranged at this time are:
- Sportsmen’s Tavern – The first Tuesday of every month, all members who show their card at the door will get free admission to The Twang Gang.
- Buffalo Ironworks – 10% off all food items
- Allentown Music – 10% off all regular items
- Smolen/Bonghi CPA – 10% off all tax preparation and accounting services
- Korona Jewelry – 2 discounts
- Watch batteries installed for $5 instead of $7.
- 25% off the regular price of anything in stock.
- Ellicott Small Animal Hospital – 30% off regular exam
- Flying Bison Brewery – 10% off
- Buffalo History Museum – buy one regular admission and get one free.
- American Reperatory Theater – $10 tickets (1/2 price)
- Red Thread Theater – $15 ticket (regularly $25)
- MusicalFare Theater – $5 off General Admiss. online. Enter SPORTSMEN in coupon code. Limit 4
- Byrd House Restaurant – 10% off food
- Arts at the Bakery – 10% off admission
- Buffalo Distilling – 10% off food and drinks
- Kissing Bridge Discount Pass – look for emails from SAMF for discounts throughout the year.
