Blues Week 2014 >CANCELLED

[Michael Messer]

Hi everyone, especially Blues Weekers,

I want to update you and seek your support for a similar event in 2015.

You may recall at Blues Week 2013, hearing some discussion about Michael Roach's imminent departure to the USA with his family. At the meeting of a group of 'regulars' held during the week, there was support for David Popple, who offered to take on the organisation of Blues Week 2014 with Michael Roach's blessing.

Michael Roach had successfully organised this event for 14 years, during which time many people had benefitted from the teaching and playing skills of a wide range of tutors, and from Michael Roach's infectious enthusiasm for acoustic blues. It is a tribute to Michael Roach that so many attendees wanted the event to continue after his departure.

This morning, David Popple contacted the tutors booked for this year, to inform them of his decision to cancel Blues Week 2014, for financial reasons. We were aware of the difficulties of the last seven months, and as time went by, of the likelihood that the event would not take place this year.

We believe that the desire expressed last year by so many people to continue the event, remains, and therefore we are about to begin planning a 2015 event. Should you want to become involved in either the organisation of the week, or assist in some way during the week, please get in touch and let us know in what way you would like to help. Even if you do not wish to be involved in this way, we would still appreciate any suggestions you wish to make as to how the week can be improved. Please send these emails to [e-mail] by May 31st 2014.

We will keep you informed with our progress as things develop. All updates will be announced on this forum. We will also update via my Facebook page at - www.facebook.com/MichaelMesserMusic

Northampton University has been booked by us from Sunday 26th July to Saturday 1st August 2015, so please put these dates in your diary. We look forward to meeting as many of you as possible there, and making up for missing the 2014 event.

We share the disappointment that many of you will feel on receiving news of the cancellation of this year's Blues Week, but we're determined that with your support, the 2015 event will be the first of many that build on all the hard work and vision of Michael Roach over the past 14 years to promote acoustic blues in Europe.

Shine On,

Michael Messer & Dennis Rigg

[ken1953clark]

Sad but not unexpected. Here's to 2015

[steadyrollinman]

Michael, what a disappointment. When you say cancelled for financial reasons, does that mean there was insufficient interest?

[simonf]

Hi Chris. Its not for me to usurp Michael's response, but it seems to me that its difficult to know what the level of interest was, when people were never given the opportunity to commit. I suspect there were many people who did not sign up to the email address, but were sitting waiting for an announcement so as to weigh up the cost against the tutors attending etc and make a decision about it.

I imagine that it is essential to make financial committments like flights early, when they are cheaper, which must be very difficult with a new company with no history and no certain comittments or numbers.

For whatever reasons, the way seems to have been lost in the process. The answer (such as one exists) will be to get behind the people trying to make it happen for next year. Thanks Michael and Dennis for picking up the baton.

[gordon]

Sorry to hear that about this summer, but thank you Michael for your clear explanation of what's happening.
I can't begin to say how much I've learnt and appreciated past Blues Weeks, and I'm really looking forward to 2015.

[obrienp]

Hi Michael, Very sad to hear about Blues Week 2014 but I can imagine that it is a huge undertaking to get off the ground. I wouldn't want to take it on myself. I look forward to the 2015 event and would like to state my interest in attending straight away. Many thanks to you and Dennis for taking this on!
Slide on, Pat

[steadyrollinman]

Apr 16, 2014 20:43:55 GMT simonf said:

Hi Chris. Its not for me to usurp Michael's response, but it seems to me that its difficult to know what the level of interest was, when people were never given the opportunity to commit. I suspect there were many people who did not sign up to the email address, but were sitting waiting for an announcement so as to weigh up the cost against the tutors attending etc and make a decision about it.

I imagine that it is essential to make financial committments like flights early, when they are cheaper, which must be very difficult with a new company with no history and no certain comittments or numbers.

For whatever reasons, the way seems to have been lost in the process. The answer (such as one exists) will be to get behind the people trying to make it happen for next year. Thanks Michael and Dennis for picking up the baton.

Hi Simon, I'm sure there's a lot of truth in what you said in your response. Nevertheless, I understood there was a "regular" bunch that loyally did Bluesweek year upon year. I for one registered my interest the moment it was announced. Despite having done it just once, I think it would be a great shame if it didn't continue. Now that Michael Roach is no longer at the helm, who could we register our interest with, in order that the organisers consider it viable and start planning it?

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

I am not sure I understand your comments?

BW 2014 was cancelled because the new organiser was unable to follow through and actually run the event. Its cancellation had nothing to do with lack of interest from punters, or financial problems.

We are now putting together a new company and have already started work on an event in 2015. You can register your interest right here!

Thanks for your support.

Shine On
Michael

[Ian McWee]

Michael is 100% correct with the above post ~ since early December i've received dozens of calls from the 'BluesWeek Collective' asking for 1) slides; and 2) if I had any idea regarding BW '14? ~ it appeared no-one from the new company (the David Popple connection) would answer e-mails, phone calls, or supply any kind of information whatsoever as to booking; paying fees....anything at all to do with BW '14!!! I can confirm there were at least two regular customers of mine more than willing to step up to the mark & take over....but again - if you can't contact the head honcho to offer your services, you're stuffed!!

BluesWeek is one of THE most popular dates in 'coneheads' calendars & it WILL continue - in the correct hands

Slide On ~ and see you all next year!

Ian.

[steadyrollinman]

Apr 20, 2014 9:11:18 GMT Michael Messer said:

Hi Chris,

I am not sure I understand your comments?

BW 2014 was cancelled because the new organiser was unable to follow through and actually run the event. Its cancellation had nothing to do with lack of interest from punters, or financial problems.

We are now putting together a new company and have already started work on an event in 2015. You can register your interest right here!

Thanks for your support.

Shine On
Michael

Hi Michael,

The comments I made were based on your original post, namely that the event was cancelled due to financial reasons. Not being aware of exactly what that implied, I assumed it meant a lack of customers. But as Ian posted, there was vitally no communication to any of us as to how things were progressing. In fact I think I posted on this forum that I'd had no response from David to my emails, and it appears to have been your contact with David that finally drew a response from him to me.

I will be registering my intent to come in 2015, fingers crossed and I do hope it happens.

[Michael Messer]

Hi Chris,

My apologies. Perhaps my attempt at tactful wording was misleading.

Shine On
Michael

[steadyrollinman]

Hi Michael,

No apology required I assure you, perhaps I too got the tactful wording wrong!

Best reagrds

[nickg]

Hi Michael

Thanks to you and Dennis for taking this on, and for letting us know. While losing this year's event is obviously disappointing, I'm confident that Blues Week will come back.

[Michael Messer]

Thanks Nick. It will be back, but possibly under a new title.

Shine On
Michael

[Mairena Red]

Hello Michael,

Must be Murphy's Law. Just when I was thinking I might finally make it to Blues Week this year, the event hss been cancelled. I had hoped to get over last year but the deterioration of an old back injury (which resulted in surgery last February) prevented me from attending. Obviously disappointed that this year's event will not take place but am definitely interested in next year's event. My biggest problem is how to get all my guitars over. Gonna have to hire a van!

All the best,

Joe (aka Mairena Red)