MonroeStock 2008 -- Coming Soon?

[tbondo]

OK, last year was a bust...no one could make the 27th of October and Rick and Marion pulled the plug....with some thought of a spring event that also didn't happen....I'm more than willing and able (being unemployed = free time) to contact Rick and Marion to see what this fall portends, but need some expressions of interest to go fishing with...the third weekend in October is the 18th, the 4th is the 25th (duh!).

To that end, I need to know who is interested in attending MS 7 on either (or both) of the two dates.

Would a mod please make this a sticky???

TIA,

[Joe F]

I would be interested...

I was in Holloways last month however and asked Marion about this. The main topic of conversation at the time was a break in they had experienced that morning so I didn't get a lot of detail. I can't remember which relative Marion mentioned (Mother possibly), but someone in his faimily was having some serious medical issues. He said they were leaning more towards hosting a Taylor Road Show than doing a Monroestock, but things may have changed in the last month.

[tbondo]

Joe,

that's good info......

Thanks

[Rejoice Music]

Would a mod please make this a sticky???
Will do, Tom. Monroestock is one of the very best AGF events. Hopefully there will be enough folks who have enjoyed the past ones (plus some new ones) to keep it going!

[tbondo]

Thanks for the sticky....

[jmeinel]

You know I'm in! :D I wouldn't miss it for the world if we have another one.

[stratokatsu]

My intense period of 24/7 work isn't over until October 22nd, so I'm out until then. After that, I might be too happy for anyone to stand being around me.

The other thing is that my daughter, who lives in Raleigh, will have moved to New York for a year by then. I'll have to figure out a different way of getting there. Is there an airport closer to Monroe than Raleigh that I can fly into from Miami?

[Chicago Sandy]

The later date in Oct. works better for me, as I'm not going up to the Ontario Council on Folk Festivals (OCFF) that weekend. Wild card is whether I can afford it or leave Bob's dad home after spending the weekend two weeks earlier away at FARM.
I flew into Charlotte the last time. Dunno if you can get there from FLL or PBI.

[tadmania]

I will help in any way I can.

[stratokatsu]

I will help in any way I can.
OK - Come to Miami and pick me up! :D

[Forensicguy]

To help those who may not be familiar, what city and state is Monroestock held in again?

[Chicago Sandy]

To help those who may not be familiar, what city and state is Monroestock held in again?

Monroe, NC (suburb of Charlotte).

[cocobolo_guy]

Tom you know I`m in. I really missed not having MS to go to. I look forward to this event yearly, It truly is a special coming together of friends to share music, laughs, fun, food and maybe even a tear or two!

[tadmania]

If all previous supports be absent.... perhaps we can conspire together to make this happen. I am not close to Monroe, but perhaps closer than many, and would do my best to make arrangements. If it's funding in question, let's get a realistic number together and decide whether we can swing it.

Otherwise, the last Monroestock may have been just that. I wouldn't want to see that happen. We would need to get moving right away, though.

What say?

[Joe F]

I stopped by Holloways again this week. They say they have no current plans for a Monroestock this year. :cry:

[tadmania]

I hope Marion is well. It must be that there is too much of importance going on with him for this to happen.


I know it is hard to put the energy into something new when the trusted and true comes to a time of change. It would make me sad if Monroestock were to be no more, but sadder still if we let its passing prevent us from gathering as friends as we have. My experience is that, if you want something like this to happen, you'd better get to doing it. If Monroestock is over, then it's nearly past time to pick it up in another way if we are to preserve something of its energy. Again, I will do everything I can to make some version of Monroestock happen this year. Traveling to Monroe several times included. If money is the issue, I will do all I can to help.

If alternate arrangements are considered, something that might ensure the success of a gathering (if I were to be "Marion" for us this year) would be to hold this in Raleigh. I have ready access to all the clinicians and venues and sound systems one could want. There are several stellar music stores, innumerable restaurants, etc. here. It would take me a second or two to get it going, but we could do this in October in Raleigh, if we decide quickly.

[tbondo]

Tad,

I think the big hurdle is getting a music store to "center" the event and provide a gathering/performance venue for a day (they can get goodies to give away and brand reps to attend, which is probably beyond us citizens) ....I know that there is a store in Raleigh that you and Dennis mention all the time (I just can't remember the name - Harry's???).....then find a nearby hotel/motel that'll let us be in the lobby during the event (or comp us a conference room with enough room rentals) so the out-of-towners have a hangout...the rest is deciding the schedule of events and finding a good restaurant/performance venue for one evening....

I'm with you, the yearly gathering must be continued....and I'm available to help with the logistics (at least via phone)....

Let's come up with a new name ---- "The Big Do!" is what jumped into my mind

[tadmania]

Venues and baubles and hotels--those sorts of things-- are plentiful here. I would, indeed, turn to Harry's Guitar Shop for help. I dare to say it with confidence, if Saturday late afternoon and evening/Sunday during the day are part of our time, I can likely get access to the store for us to have a private guitar sampling event. I have a key and an alarm code for the building. One of the guys there (or several) would help us out, for sure.

Just up the street from my home is Mac's Tavern. There is a large enclosed outdoor courtyard with a stage available to us. I have a nice sound system.

There are so many world class players here I can't begin to count them. Many of these folks are my good friends, and would welcome the chance to conduct clinics or classes for us. Folks could submit their goals for such classes, and the subjects could be customized accordingly.

Restaurants here are as plentiful as bowling alleys in Ohio. Harry's is located right in the midst of a great array of places. Easy 5 minute walking distance to some of my favorites.

Hotels, motels, no tells, all right close.

It could go like this:

Sat 10 am--- Meet/register at Mac's Tavern. Eat lunch. Giggle and gaggle/play guitars/clinics/door prizes/open mic/etc.

Sat 5 pm- Go to Harry's for guitar groping

Sat 7-ish-- Dinner

Sat into the wee hours--play more guitar (yippeeeee!)

Sun am--Breakfast/brunch at my house


Much might depend upon the number of folks, of course. But, the itinerary I outlined could accommodate as many as were at the last Monroestock easily. The costs could be minimal, as both Harry and Mac (his name is actually Dennis) are super folks. And I have spent quite enough money on beer and guitars to ask for favors, I promise you. I don't think Dennis would charge me for the use of the courtyard, and I know Harry wouldn't. In the event of rain, alternate arrangements are decently available.

Who all of you all is interested?

[stratokatsu]

It will seem really odd going to Raleigh without my kids living there, (they move to Connecticut tomorrow for a year), but as long as it is after the Jewish holidays, I'm interested.

[tbondo]

Just spent time on the phone with Tad, and think we need to get rolling on this so that we can gather this fall in Raleigh, NC.

Just for sizing some venues, we need to know who is interested for the weekend of the 25th of October in Raleigh for the next OctoberStock?

I'll start....

Tom and Vicki Bond
Jesse and Erin Bond
Maybe Becki (ok, that's the first 5)

[MGM60]

I've also missing having Monroestock especially since it was in my back yard here in Charlotte. But if it's not to be then I'd come up to Raleigh in October.

[Cakes]

I'm interested, though unconfirmed.

John

[Rejoice Music]

Sounds mighty tempting to me, even though it's not even near my backyard. I enjoy all you MonroeStock folks and would love to visit beautiful NC again.

[tadmania]

Harry is being his usual self---- kind, wise, and generous. He is wide open to us for the gathering, and already full of good ideas. I have left a message with Mac's and I should know more on that soon. If there are no objections, let's get this going fer serious and get working on a body count. It makes a difference logistically if we become more than 60 or 70 strong.

If I know what folks would like for small groups or clinics, I can get that happening, too.

[tadmania]

Mac's is ours for the asking. He'll open early for us and cook lunch when we want to eat. How good is that?

[wthurman]

If at all possible, Kel and I will be there. It kind of depends on other bigger life events going on.

[Chicago Sandy]

If Bob and I are not in Napa at an echocardiography course, I'll be there too!

[tadmania]

It may be time to rename and repost this event. Any suggestions for what we call it?

[jmeinel]

I'm so down for this! Count me in. :D

[TimB]

...

-=Tim=-