JPF Home Page Forums Mid South US Chapter Message Boards Memphis Chapter Message Board First Chapter Meeting 8-24-02

We had the first official Memphis JPF Chapter Meeting tonight. There were more than 10 of us, so I guess that means we are officially a chapter!
We had a TORENTIAL rainstorm, so some arrived needing a boat to get to my door.

But, alas, my husband Jack had made his famous Memphis BBQ with the killer sauce. And it was his birthday to bat...

We ate the great food that everyone provided, then we had a semi formal meeting. We talked about the goals for our chapter. It seemed the concensus was interested in getting a list of venues together for open mics and our showcase opportunities. I stressed the importance of helping one another achieve each others goals...and the ways we could help each other with specific things that limit each of us. For instance, we had two people in the group that are lyricists and need music writers. I offered the ability to transfer something from tape to cd for whomever, if they didn't have that capability. Its just the little things like that that often keep someone from getting something accomplished.

Cordell Jackson, who is a LEGEND in Memphis music, attended. She is the founder of another group of united musicians called the Memphis Music Community that is raising money and awareness of issues facing elderly musicians (i.e. poor or no health insurance and poverty for some.) The group was formed in rememberance of Furry Lewis, a great blues legend who died in complete poverty. Anyways, I am hoping to pull that group into this one as well. The MMC has 44 members. We also discussed getting in touch with the Memphis Songwriters Association regarding a show they are putting on in October at Strings N Things, which is a large local music store. We will try to get the JPFolks on the lineup of songwriters to play...

Then we had a songwriters round, which I must say, was quite impressive. Everyone played 2 to 3 songs...

In attendance, Jeff and Cindy Marter (looneylyricslady), and their two lovely daughters Lauren and Lindsey, George and Kay Larose, Cordell Jackson, James D. Russell, Randy and Margaret Wimberley, Robin Mace, Chris Packer, my husband Jack, my daughters Molly and Dora, and Molly's boyfriend Tim. And of course, moi... So a nice get together in the name of Just Plain Folks.

We decided we would meet every other month and stay in contact with one another via email.

It was a very enjoyable evening!



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i write so i can breathe

Kenna,

Sounds like a GREAT start! Congrats!!!

Good news from this end.. we are planning central-south USA roadtrip before the end of the year which will take us through Memphis for at least 1 showcase. We are leaning towards doing it in December, then heading to New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and possibly OK City and St. Louis. So we may start setting dates when we get back from the upcoming East Coast trip.

Congrats again!

Brian

Kenna;
We really enjoyed the meeting, the food and the great music.
I'm excited about the future of our group, and am going to spread the word.
Let us know if there is anything more we can do,and we look forward to our next gathering.
Thanks for the hospitality;
Randy Wimberley

Brian, it was a great start...and that is really exciting about the roadtrip already. Memphis will make you proud. There is a very diverse mix of great writers here. I am hoping to get some of the local celebrities to join us at meetings for questions and answers about the business.

Randy, enjoyed meeting you and Margaret so much. Your music is awesome! I will look forward to some more picking with you guys soon!

Kenna

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i write so i can breathe

Hi Kenna,

Just wanted to thank you for yours and Jack's hospitality at the first meeting.

I really enjoyed meeting with a group of such talented individuals. Cordell is a blast and you can tell she truly wants to give back what she has learned.

Let me know if I can do anything to help with the next meeting. I'm not against the meeting being in Granada at times or down at my place at Sardis which is just about a half way point between both places. We could meet there on a Saturday afternoon around 1:00, cook out, or everybody could go down to the Holiday Lodge. It's a big resturant that serves good country food. Usually there's about 150 people in there on a weekend night. If you think it would be a good idea, I can ask the owner about having an open mic one weekend there.

Oh tell Jack the barbeque sauce was good and thanks again for the two lightning arrestors.

It was good to meet you as well, James. And that place in Sardis sounds good. Why don't you check in to the possibility of us doing an open mic down there. It might possibly be a VENUE we can use for more than just meetings...

You are welcome for the lightning rods.

Kenna

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i write so i can breathe

Kenna!

Such fun to be at your home with family & friends & all! I'm glad we're doing this and look forward to getting together again. How awesome it would be to do what Brian's talking about in December sometime....hugely busy time though!!

I thoroughly enjoyed our sharing of music, food, laughter & tales!! Cordell is a hoot, and I'd love to spend more time with her. So wonderful for you to include us all in Jack's birthday bash too.

I think the Sardis 1/2 way point meeting would be wonderful!!! If not for a meeting, then maybe a special event. That would be great! Talk to y'all soon.

Randy & James...Great to see you guys!! More soon.....Cindy (LLL)