Hello blues fans,

I thank everyone who sent congratulations my way on my new post as president of the Boston Blues Society. I would like to thank outgoing president Heather McKibben for her many years of service. Heather will stay on as a director of the society, joining Holly Harris and Brian Templeton.

Now it is time to get down to business.

We are in great need of volunteers to help in various capacities. I would like to increase our activities, but it takes planning and cooperation among all segments of the blues community in Massachusetts.

First of all, we need a qualified treasurer, preferably referred by someone we know, and who has bookkeeping or accounting experience. It is a volunteer post, as are all our positions. (It is not very complicated, but I do not believe that I, as president, should hold both positions.)

A vice president would be helpful (this is the post I held previously) . The vice president’s duties vary, but it can be as involved as you make it.

We also need someone who is good at planning and organizing events. Read on.

The annual Boston Blues Challenge has been our main event. We intend to hold it again this year, in the fall. However, to make that happen, we will need a venue, judges, sound people, emcees, set up people, a backline, and general help – door people, booth people, time keepers, help lugging equipment, runners, etc- during the competition. Most of all, we need someone to help organize it.

We also envision society booths at most blues festivals and events in the greater Boston area during the summer and fall. We've reserved a booth at the Blues and Brews Festival Aug. 22 at the Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford, so drop by if you are there.

We hope to continue, and perhaps boost, our Blues In Schools program next school year. We were able to get state grants to fund shows in three schools last year, all of which were big successes. I would love to send a band to the Boston public schools next time.

Immediately on the horizon is something we failed to get together last year: Our 20th anniversary celebration. OK, so we're a year late but it's but who’s counting? This is in the works for August, so stay tuned.

Anyone interested in helping out should contact me (Karen Nugent) at: president@bostonblues.com

I thank you in advance, and look forward to enjoying the music with ya’ll!

Yours in blues,

Karen

After much thought and consideration, I have made the decision to resign as president of the Boston Blues Society. I will officially relinquish my duties, and the vice president, Karen Nugent will become the new BBS president.

Please help us welcome Karen Nugent as our new president. Karen has been helping the BBS since 2004, and loves the music as much as anyone. I am confident that she will do a terrific job.

One of the greatest challenges of any all-volunteer organization is finding talented people to help it achieve its goals. Having said that, I would like to ask everyone in the blues community to PLEASE roll up your sleeves and support Karen’s efforts as new president. There is no better way to offer support than through making a commitment to volunteer and to help the BBS become a stronger organization.

We have some of the best musical talent in and around the Boston area, and there is absolutely nothing I want more than to see a vibrant blues community grow in New England. Please contact Karen or anyone on the board if you are interested in helping out.

In closing, I want to thank everyone for their support during my time as president, and most of all I want to thank all the hard working musicians that make us shake our booty’s and smile!

Yours truly in the Blues,
Heather McKibben