2010 Meet In Raleigh, NC. Who's In?

[tadmania]

Friends,

I remember so well the weekend in Monroe, NC where I met some of the people I consider the best of any I know. Trips to Florida and Virginia gatherings since then have only widened and deepened the relationships I enjoy today, all started because of the AGF. We truly have some of the finest people on the planet as members here.

I am very interested in organizing an event here in Raleigh for the AGF that gives as many people as possible the opportunity to experience what I have due to the AGF gatherings, Monroestock being not the least. Especially now that our membership has exploded in number, I think it is right and good to begin to establish gathering events proportional to the scale of the AGF community. To that end, I am offering to host such a gathering for 2010 in Raleigh, NC. Right now, mid-October 2010 is sounding right.

What I Can Offer

1) A professional performance and restaurant venue within walking distance of a fine quality hotel. Hotel rooms are blocked and discounted for our members. Meeting rooms are ours to use. Lunch is complimentary.

2) Private admission to the finest guitar shop anywhere, Harry's Guitar Shop, featuring Taylor, Martin, Goodall, Santa Cruz, Yamaha, Fender, Cole Clark, and many other fine instruments and equipment.

3) Internationally prominent vendors of instruments, electronics, sound gear, and accessories on hand with the latest products and ideas. Door prizes, special pricing, workshops, and maybe even a free set up and adjustment bench for your guitars by factory authorized repair personnel.

4) Clinicians and instructors chosen according to your requests for techniques, tunings, live performance, etc. in small individual groups where you can personally engage seasoned players and technicians with your ideas and questions.

5) An evening music performance you will not soon forget..... and perhaps complimentary copies of the performance recording for AGF members.


This AGF gathering in Raleigh can be all that and more. Initial contacts with some of these folks has been extremely encouraging. I am thinking of a $25 event fee. Dinner, hotel, and the evening concert will be additional, but likely handsomely discounted to our members.

I called this the Ragamuffin Meet in 2009 (Raleigh Acoustic Guitar Forum... something or other) but you could call it Uncle Lucy's Balloon Hospital for all i care.

Just step up, come on down, and make this gathering a signature event for the Acoustic Guitar Forum.

[stratokatsu]

I'm in................... The dots are because the forum demanded 10 letters... :rolleyes:

[woody b]

Sounds good to me. I'm ~200 miles from Raleigh, but my Sister lives in Cary. I could combine this with a visit to see her.

[stratokatsu]

Hey Woody - Where in Cary? My daughter lives there. Why do you think I was in on this so quickly? Any excuse to see the grandkids... :D

[weatherford]

Sounds like fun!!

[deltoid]

I'll be there. I'm just an hour and half or so away from Raleigh.

[wthurman]

Kel and I will gladly come. And how about you, Tad, in February? :)

[tbondo]

Hard to predict much in this life we share, but if I'm alive, I'll be there (yes, that sounds an awful like a song embryo). Probably have 4-6 bondos there

[Dotneck]

Wow...sounds large. I should be able to make it....its a year away so I don't have any previous commitments...it actually does depend on which weekend in October...but it sure sounds like fun!

[tadmania]

That's a bit of the idea, that it is a full year away let's us prepare--me to host it and you'all to attend.

I am beginning to develop events on that weekend (clinics, concerts, workshops, vendor shows, et al) that will draw folks from outside the AGF as well as from within our ranks, and doing it for two purposes.



1) Some of the early possibilities on the vendor side of things are substantial, maybe even some 'firsts' in the mix. In order to support the development of such things, a certain mass of people is key. I would have it all be AGF members. So much so that, if the responses here get vigorous enough, I may not market the events to the public at all.

2) But, as it is, things like this need people to attend, no matter their affiliations to the AGF. To that end, these events are aimed to draw people if and when they are marketed openly. The aim there is to honor our contributors and make the events a success for them, as well as a success for our members and the AGF overall.

Who knows, it may be a real marketing opportunity for the AGF to the public. When I have more of the happenings laid out, I will contact JR and the team to present them.




Most importantly, though, I have a heart to make this YOUR event, one in which you have a vote. Dream reasonably, but dream large, friends. What would make you want to come to Raleigh for a weekend in October 2010?

What workshops, how many in each? (Alternate tunings, picking and strumming techniques, composition, lead playing) And how about those interested in specific things selecting the songs and contributing actively to the class together with the instructor so that everyone contributes and grows?

What sort of vendor displays and discussions? (Like maybe a panel discussion on the state of guitar manufacture and wood supply from some of the industry leaders, for instance?)

What instruments would you like to see and play?

Have an interest in live sound? Mic technique, feedback management, 'real' acoustic sound, etc.? How about a clinic on that with examples of various layouts and equipment right there so you can plug in an play (Daeadalus, Pendulum, Fishman, Bose, Taylor ES, Raven Labs, LR Baggs, et al)

You name it, and I'll get to work. Let's see if we can nail a date while we're at it. Folks here are asking.

[SCGib68]

Obviously it's hard to predict what events a year away would be in people personal schedules, but if you pull this off, I'll be twisting my wife's arm to leave that weekend open :D

[levifly]

I'll be there and probably some of the band members I play with at church. How about a clinic on church praise and worship music Maybe bring in someone famous like Paul Baloche. I know Meredith Andrews is from Wilson. Although she lives in Chicago she may be looking for an excuse to visit home if her schedule allows. Our church could provide the venue for this if one is needed. We are located at the corner of Ridge Road and Lake Boone Trail. Your said to dream big!

Mike

[Turp]

I'd like to atend barring any work schedule issues.

[levifly]

oops, posted on wrong thread

[Dotneck]

Let's see if we can nail a date while we're at it.

The weekend of the 16-17th will be bad for me. Other than that I should be okay (as far as i can tell from this far out...). Sunday is usually open for me...I work Mon-Sat.

[riorider]

That's a very attractive proposal... count me "interested just depends on schedule".

Kind of the counter year and the counter coast to Healdsburg...

Phil

[tadmania]

With the glad news today of the return of Monroestock in October 2010, I am thinking to change the Raleigh event to Spring 2010. What do we think?

[deltoid]

With the glad news today of the return of Monroestock in October 2010, I am thinking to change the Raleigh event to Spring 2010. What do we think?


I think that's a good idea. It wouldn't be good to try to have 2 events so close to each other.

[stratokatsu]

If they were consecutive weekends, I could spend just that much more time with my grandchildren, going from one get together to the next. :D

Spring and fall works better.

[Sleehrat]

I have family in Raleigh so it gives me a nice reason to come down for a visit! Of course, depending on dates, my business travel, etc. But this is a cool idea!

:up:

[tbondo]

Sounds good, any idea yet on when, or are you waiting to see what the response is this time?

[tadmania]

With the news of Monroestock's revival, I am wondering how best to serve the AGF with another event in Raleigh this spring. If folks can and will attend, I am happy to give it all I have. If it is too much to ask, or if the Monroe attendance might suffer, I am concerned. I am not so much waiting as I am asking. Is the Raleigh event okay for spring/summer 2010?

[ricks]

Tad, a spring event up there sounds like a great idea to me. I'll be out of pocket most of Feb, but that ain't spring" to me either. I usually head up to the cabin in W V late April or early May, so I can be flexible.

Anything you put together will be more than worth the drive.

[Dotneck]

I think spring is great....a beautiful time of year in N Carolina.

[Cakes]

Tad,

I encourage you to proceed with the spring event. Hopefully if you build it they will commit to come. Unfortunately I can't commit, but I would hope to make it.

John

[Feste]

If you could bump it to later in June or just so it is not too close to the McKnight jam I would certainly consider attending. I have a buddy in NC I haven't seen in awhile and this would be the perfect excuse...

[outsidenote]

I am about 2 hours away from Raleigh. If its before wrestling season and doesn't conflict with Merlefest I'd like to come.

[Dotneck]

If its before wrestling season

When is wrestling season?

[Bob1131]

As soon as there are firm dates I can put it in my schedule. I have grandkids in Durham, so this would be an added incentive to plan a trip there!

[outsidenote]

When is wrestling season?

From Nov to March pretty much. My son wrestles so all my weekends belong to wrestling during that time.