MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!

Subject: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 05:13 PM

Just yesterday I learned that the Maryland Banjo Academy is no more. The folks at Banjo Newsletter have announced they will not continue to run it.

Then today I got emails via two different banjo distribution lists from Jack Hatfield, the banjoist/teacher/banjo text author/music store proprietor in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, that he is picking up the torch and running the Smokey Mountain Banjo Academy, starting in April of 2004. He says plans are not yet finalized (no surprise, with the little time that's passed since the demise of MBA), but he sings a nice song about the plans so far, and the attractions of the area.

Stay tuned.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: wilco
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 05:24 PM

Uncle Dave; How do we get on his mailing list or e-mail list?

Subject: RE: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 08:01 PM

Wilco:

Jack says: "Very few deatails are worked out yet, so do not write, call or email expecting an individual response. HOWEVER, if you send an email to [e-mail] with "SMBA-info" in the subject line you will receive updates as the plans unfold."

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: chip a
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 01:52 PM

Is this banjo camp all bluegrass or is it also old time?

Subject: RE: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 02:52 PM

Jack didn't say, but I'd expect it to be both. Stay tuned.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: MBA is dead; Long Live SMBA!
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 02:57 PM

I should expand on that.

The timing of SMBA is just when the demise of MBA (which was both) was announced, which was the successor of Tennessee Banjo Academy, which was both. Jack Hatfield was a vendor-exhibitor at MBA, and possibly at TBA too, given his location. Given those facts, I think SMBA is intended to carry on the tradition of those two camps.

It is a fact, of course, that Jack's own personal identification is bluegrass. His message didn't make clear the answer to your question.

Dave Oesterreich