PRESIDENTS NOTES
View From The Chair
Joe Gero, President
NorthEast CMA

Hope everyone had a great summer and let's pray for and easy winter.

Joe Gero

Sweet Cider turns 30
By Sue Kaupelis
On Saturday, October 13/ I traveled out to the Quaker Inn in Duanesburg to help Sweet Cider celebrate their 30th Birthday. The night was full of great music with a few surprises thrown in. It was fun to listen to the Cider Guys reminisce and tell interesting anecdotes from their time playing together. The camaraderie found in this band is rare and you can see why they have stayed together for 3 decades. It also helps that several members are related to each other. No birthday would be complete without cake which was shared by all.

A Word From The Publisher

I have enjoyed publishing the NECMA news notes & representing you on the board of directors for the last 2 years but the time has come to pass the job on for a new look and perspective. This has been a true learning experience & I have enjoyed working with everyone and meeting some new friends. I encourage you to continue sending in articles and good information to share in our news notes. I look forward to seeing you in the future.
Ed Hersh

P.S. We have discussed the possibility of organizing bus trips through out the area (day trips, over nite trips & even longer trips. Concerts, casino's, shopping & more) We would like to see what kind of interest there is in our membership. If you have interest could you let us know and we will work on it.
You can email me at ehersh128@yahoo.com or
Ed Hersh/ 128 Church Ave / Ballston Spa, NY 12020

OBSERVATIONS

I am confining these observations to the month of August and all that took place.

It all began on August 18 for the Ballston Spa Bi-Centennial Parade. The Northeast Country Music Association was well represented, as you can see by the pictures. The music and vocals were superb. The spectators cheered them on through the crowded streets. Guess what! They want them back for the next Bi-Centennial.

The very next day was Northeasts turn on the Reid Northrup stage at the Altamont Fair. Again great music by a variety of bands.There was a good response from the audience. Not only for the music, but some were interested in what we are all about, and took the time to stop and chat. Even signed on a few new members. Took some time when the event was over to relax and go see the sights on the Midway. I think this is also becoming a tradition.

Now for the frosting on the cake. The first annual free membership picnic was held at the Saratoga State Park on August 26th

Hard to put into words what a very fine day it was. Had seventy plus \vho attended. The food was great; Chef Joe (JD) presided over the grill and also participated in the accoustic jam session. There also was Volleyball and Horseshoes available that was put to good use.

We sure did have a bunch of happy campers. Was suggested we should do it once a month. We will have to think about that one. Want to thank all who attended, plus their generosity in helping to keep our expenses at a minimum. Raffles, Shirts, Donation, Member Sign ups, all made that possible. Really looking forward to next year.

Catherine Benson

MEMBERSHIP REPORT

What a busy couple of months we have had. Showcases, Fairs, Parades, and Picnic. So much happened.

I am happy to report we signed on quite a few new members. We are growing in numbers but we still need your help. Use the application you have in the Newsnotes or call me. It never ceases to surprise me how eager people are to sign on when we explain what the Northeast Country Music Association is all about. Give it a try.

T-shirt sales are very good. I would love to see every member wearing one. Check the website and you can see what they look like. You just cannot beat the price. Please consider joining us at a meeting. We meet the second Monday of each month at 7:30 P.M. at the IHOP on Plank Road. Hope to see you there.

Respectfully, Catherine T. Benson

"TIPS for Drummer's", by Ron Powles

In the last "Tips for Drummers" column, I promised a quick repair for a stripped female thread that accepts the winged screw/bolt for tightening the adjustment clamp on a cymbal or drum stand. The female thread is in the softer metal base of the clamp and is usually a fine or shallow thread, which makes it prone to easy stripping by the harder metal screw/bolt. The quick repair consists of tapping the clamp off the end of the stand tube with a block of wood and rubber mallet. Tap carefully all the way around the clamp-tube connection. Then remove from the inside of the clamp, first the plastic insert and then the little metal plate. (The clamp works by the screw pushing the metal plate against the plastic inseli, which in turn squeezes the outside stand tube against the telescoped inside tube --- securing it to that height). The empty clamp shell secured carefully in a vice, can then have a 3/16" drill bit passed through the old screw hole to ream out the stripped thread. Now using the proper sized "tap" tool, create new threads to accommodate a 1/4" commercial bolt. An inch long slot-headed 1/4" bolt can then be screwed down thru a sturdy wing nut, then thru a lock-washer, then thru a hex nut. When all are tightened to the head of the bolt, this new jury-rigged winged screwlboIt can be used to replace the original in a reassembled clamp. The larger, deeper threads are stronger and can more than double the life of the stand. I'm still waiting for some feedback on my tips. Any questions or critiques? You can e-mail me at ronpowles@earthlink.net, or come to a pre-NECMA-meeting invitational jam and see for yourself or we'll talk any time you see me.

Bylaws - Changes

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
The purposes for which this corporation has been organized are to promote country music throughout the Northeastern section of the United States, preserve the legacy and expand the potential of the Northeast country music artist and maintain friendly relations with other groups of similar interests; as well as fellowship within its own membership.

After much discussion the above bylaws are being considered to read with the changes below. These changes will be part of the discussion at the annual meeting on Wednesday January 16th, 2008. The board of directors are looking for your input.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSES
The purposes for which this corporation has been organized are to promote country and other like genre's of music throughout the Northeastern section of the United States, preserve the legacy and expand the potential of the Northeast country music and other like artist and maintain friendly relations with other groups of similar interests; as well as fellowship within its own membership.