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Hi Ya'll,

I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on how to try and rebuild the Tampa country music scene. Seems like a few years back, there were a ton of clubs and no bands to play them, now there are no clubs and bands picking in their garages...what's up with this? I'd love to chat with Tampa musicians regarding this issue.

Also, I'd love to help with the Tampa chapter in whatever capacity that I can. My site http://www.floridamusicrow.com promotes & supports local musicians, country exclusive.
Thanks,
Michelle

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FLORIDA MUSIC ROW
http://www.floridamusicrow.com

Hi Michelle and Welcome!I had an opportunity to visit your site this weekend and boy was I impressed.We absolutely would love to have you involved with the new Greater Tampa Bay Chapter of JPF.We will be shooting for our first meeting around the third Sunday in January so the holidays are not a distraction. We also invite you to spread the word and invite any and all musician/songwriters that you think would find involement in networking constructive.I know January seems like a way off but Id rather hit the ground running than crawling.
Sincerly, Al Alvarez www.mp3.com./alalvarezmusic

Hi Al,

Thanks for the nice comments on my site, the Florida Music Row. As I said, I'd love to help the cause in any way that I can. If you'd like to send me some type of "press release" sort of message, I'll be happy to post the info on my site and also, send it out to my mailing list members. I'm sure they'll be interested!
Oh, and please keep me informed as to the first meeting (when & where etc.) I'd like to come to the meeting if at all possible.
Send me some info and I'll get it posted ASAP!
Thanks,
Michelle
FLORIDA MUSIC ROW
http://www.floridamusicrow.com

ps...you may want to contact my friend Richard Garland at the Tampa Bay Entertainment Guide http://www.oltb.com he's producing a new print edition of his newspaper. He's got tons of local connections with bands (all styles)and I'm sure he'd be happy to throw a plug in the paper for JP ;-)

Michelle,
Thanks so much for the offer to assist with exposure through your site www.floridamusicrow.com .I apologize for the delay in responding but being in a new position as coordinator for a chapter Ive yet to launch,I wanted to get some direction from more experienced coodinators.As I expected they pretty much said "Go For It".
Ill have something ready for you very soon.Also thanks for the lead on The Tampa Entertainment Guide.By the way we have interested musicians/songwriters in this chapter from Orlando,Cape Coral,Dade City,Spring Hill,Pinellas County and of course Tampa.What town are you geographically located in.I only ask because I am in search for a venue to hold our monthly meetings and since all roads lead to Tampa.......Look forwaed to hearing from you.Be well...Al the Pal

Hi Al,

I'm actually located in Lutz which is just a skip away from the Tampa line. One suggestion that I can make about a possible venue for the meetings would be the Amvets located at Skipper & Nebraska Ave. I'm not sure of the address. It's sort of like a Moose lodge type thing. Also, the Amvets is right next door to Skipper's Smokehouse which is a hugely popular local live music venue..mostly blues, reggae, rock & not much country. The Amvets is inside the Tampa line. I think it'd be worth a try to contact them. If you were interested, I'm sure I could get the contact info for you because my ex-in-laws are members of the Amvets.

One other lead I thought of that I wanted to put you onto is a site called RealitySnap.com, the webmaster is Ken Thomas and he's now in kahootz with Richard Garland of the Tampa Bay Entertainment Guide. RealitySnap is a great site for indie-music as well. Check into that. I'm sure you can make some good contacts locally with Ken.

Well, I reckon that's about all I can think of at the moment so I'll talk to you later.
Have a great day!

Michelle,
Upon checking my personal e-mail this a.m. I was pleased to see a response from Richard Garland at the Tampa Bay Entertainment Guide.It looks like the networking is begenning successfully.I think we will be meeting soon to kick around ideas.
Also thanks for the idea of Amvets.Im pretty familiar with that area and actually considered Skippers but skipped it because of it being an outside situation.I will definately look into the Amvet idea though...and thanks.Im considering a couple of other venues as well and the search continues.Ill cruise by the Amvets facility in the next couple of days and check it out.I will also contact Ken Thomas as soon as I can and visit his site.Look forward to your continued input.Thanks ...Al