History of the Saskatoon Blues Society

December 18, 2000
The Saskatoon Blues Society grew from an informal meeting at Crawdaddy’s Restaurant. In attendance at that first meeting were Jim Hodges, Terry Montgomery, Derwyn Powell, B.C. Read, Bob Reid, Peter Scott, and Reg Wihak.

The meeting began with introductions and a brief explanation of what brought everyone to the meeting. B.C. and Bob talked about a mid-winter blues festival in Regina sponsored by the Delta Blues Society. They also had a meeting with the owner of Crawdaddy’s who was committed to help with the initial year. During this initial discussion responses to the questions about “Why we should have a mid-winter blues event in Saskatoon?” and “Why were we interested in doing it?” were as follows:

ü showcase the variety of styles within the blues genre
ü build a rapport with local musicians
ü sharing between experienced and novice musicians
ü provide an opportunity for local musicians to play together
ü broaden the range of music normally presented here
ü have an educational focus with workshops, seminars, etc.
ü create a “Blues in the Schools program
ü have a web presence, live cast, etc.

Two themes arose from this initial meeting:
1. the need for a blues event
2. the need for a blues society

As the discussion got into the details and as we began to identify who would do what, it became apparent that the reality of the short timeline to pull off such an event was a major problem. Some of the key people at the meeting could not give the needed time to organize the blues event for the March 1, 2, and 3 dates. It was, therefore, agreed that we should work on the short-term goal of forming a Blues Society and to then consider planning a Blues Festival in 2002.

Wednesday, January 3, 2001
An ad hoc blues working group assembled at Crawdaddy’s, which included Glen coulter, Delmer Freisen, Robert Gordon, Jim Hodges, John Middleton, Terry Montgomery, Derwyn Powell, B.C. Read, Bob Reid, Jack Walton, and Reg Wihak. Peter Scott sent his regrets.

Wednesday, January 10, 2001
We met at Crawdaddy’s Voodoo Lounge for this ad hoc meeting with Derwyn Powell, B.C. Read, Bob Reid, Phil Sapieha, Jack Walton, and Reg Wihak attending. After good discussion about the society we agreed to the following as an initial submission for incorporation:

Name: Saskatoon Blues Society

Mission: To promote, foster, support, and celebrate blues music in Saskatoon and throughout Saskatchewan.

Goals:
1. To organize an annual blues festival
2. to create additional performance opportunities for local musicians
3. To provide opportunities for listeners and players of blues to share their knowledge and experience with others and to educate the people of Saskatchewan about the diversity of The Blues.
4. To partner with other organizations and associations to support and further common goals
5. To provide opportunities for local and regional musicians and to advance their understanding, skills, and enjoyment of blues music.

Membership: An annual membership of $10.00

Directors: (need at least three)
B.C. Read – President
Reg Wihak – Vice-President
Bob Reid – Secretary/Treasurer

Wednesday, January 17, 2001
We meet at the Voodoo Lounge in the basement of Crawdaddy’s Restaurant. We welcomed new members Don Griffith, Ches McGhee, and Miss Shirley Ray. A graphic artist worked on our logo in exchange for membership. We work our way through the mission statement and goals again and the bylaws as drafted by Bob. Derwyn, Shirley, and Phil agree to serve as directors. At this point we have 8 paid memberships.

The Official Launch of the Saskatoon Blues Society (SBS)

Friday, March 2, 2001
The Jordan Cook Band at Bud’s On Broadway –

Saturday, March 3, 2001
Harp Dog Brown and the Bloodhounds with special guest the Dan Silljer Band
at Crawdaddy’s Voodoo Lounge

Saskatoon Blues Society Executives

2001

B.C. Read – President
Reg Wihak – Vice President
Bob Reid – Secretary/Treasurer
Derwyn Powell
Shirley Ray
Ron Hagan
Phil Sapieha (resigned as of June 13th)
Glen Coulter (as of August 28th)
Chester Pelkey (as of December 9th)
Lynn Victoria
Vicky Longworth (resigned)

2002

B.C. Read – President
Reg Wihak – Vice President
Bob Reid – Secretary/Treasurer
Derwyn Powell
Shirley Ray
Ron Hagan
Glen Coulter
Chester Pelkey (resigned as of Jan 8th)
Lynn Victoria
Paul Scherbey (resigned as Feb 26th)
Vicky Longworth (resigned)

2003
Glen Coulter – President
Reg Wihak – Vice President
Bob Reid – Secretary/Treasurer
Derwyn Powell
Shirley Ray
Ron Hagan
Lynn Victoria
Vicky Longworth (resigned October 14th)
Kim Lonsdale

2004
Glen Coulter – President
Reg Wihak – Vice President
Bob Reid – Secretary/Treasurer
Derwyn Powell
Shirley Ray
Ron Hagan
Gord MacAulay
Jeff Montgomery

2005
Glen Coulter
Jeff Montgomery
Bob Reid
B.C. Read
Derwyn Powell
Gord MacAulay
Blair Finley
Doug Scarrow
Sherman Pearce
Jamie Russell
George Tennant

Saskatoon Blues Society Events
2001

The Official Launch of the Saskatoon Blues Society (SBS)
Friday, March 2, 2001 The Jordan Cook Band At Bud’s On Broadway

Saturday, March 3, 2001 Harp Dog Brown and the Bloodhounds with special guest the Dan Silljer Band at Crawdaddy’s Voodoo Lounge

Thursday, April 5, 2001 1st SBS members social At Bud’s on Broadway

Monday, April 23, 2001 SBS web site launched – created by Aaron Genest

Thursday, May 31, 2001 2nd SBS members social – initial run of SBS t-shirts made available
Harp Dog Brown and the Bloodhounds at Crawdaddy’s Voodoo Lounge

October 4, 2001 SBS members social Megan Lane Band at Bud’s on Broadway

Sunday, December 9, 2001 Annual General Meeting at Bud’s on Broadway

Saskatoon Blues Society Events
2002

Friday, March 1, 2002 Big Dave McLean (First Anniversary – An Acoustic Blues Evening)
Hal Brolund and guests at The Bassment

Friday, March 22, 2002 SBS Members Social Elephant and Castle

Saturday, May 25, 2002 Danny Nargang (Acoustic Blues Night II) with Michael “Bear” Millar
Ernie “The Cook” Kurz at The Bassment

November 28, 2002 3 Nice Boys (Acoustic Blues Night III) B.C. Read, Manitoba Hal Brolund, and Ernie Kurz at The Bassment

Tuesday, October 15, 2002 - Omar and the Howlers at Bud’s on Broadway

Wednesday, October 16, 2002 Omar and the Howlers at Bud’s on Broadway

Saskatoon Blues Society Events
2003

Thursday, February 27, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival] Kick Off Party
Gorgeous Blue Dogs at Bud’s on Broadway

Friday, February 28, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Tim Williams with Ernie Kurz at Crawdaddy’s Voodoo Lounge

Friday, February 28, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Jerry Doucette with Megan and Deep Set Soul at Bud’s on Broadway

Saturday, March 1, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Mike Clarke Band featuring Amos Garrett with Don Griffith
at The Bassment

Saturday, March 1, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Jack Semple at Bud’s on Broadway

Sunday, March 2, 2003 [1st Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Windup Acoustic Jam Party at Winston’s (The Senator Hotel)

Monday, March 31, 2003 - David “Honeyboy” Edwards with Les Copeland
at The Bassment

Thursday, September 11, 2003 The Twisters at The Bassment

Wednesday, November 26, 2003 Anders Osborne at The Bassment

Wednesday, December 3, 2003 Annual General Meeting At Elephant and Castle

Saskatoon Blues Society Events
2004

Wednesday, February 11, 2004 Celebration of 100 Years of Blues Presentation Reg Wihak with B.C. Read At Francis Morrison Public Library

Thursday, February 19, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Launch Party Double D and the Double Daredevils Nigel Mack
at Bud’s on Broadway

Friday, February 20, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Steve Slade and No Restraint with Manitoba Hal at The Bassment

Friday, February 20, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Tracy K with Rag Doll at Bud’s on Broadway

Saturday, February 21, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Del Ryan with Delta Dukes (Sherman “Tank” Doucette & B.C. Read)
at The Bassment

Saturday, February 21, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
The Mocking Shadows (DVD Release Party) at Bud’s on Broadway

Sunday, February 22, 2004 [2nd Annual Winter Meltdown Blues Festival]
Windup Party at Winston’s (The Senator Hotel)

Friday, April 16, 2004
Colin Linden at The Bassment

Thursday, September 30, 2004
Big Bill Morganfield at The Bassment

Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Guy Davis at The Bassment

Friday, November 26, 2004
Scarlett, Washington & Whiteley Dinner and Show at 2nd Avenue Grill