Hey all,
been outside this conversation for a while but not too late to rejoin I hope. An annual meeting seems to be something all of us would enjoy, but as Paul TBO put in words someone has to arrange it all somewhere.
So, we have the following questions that hopefully could be answered and agreed upon in order to get started:
1. where?
2. when?
3. who will organize it?
4. arrangements for the next meeting?
1. As already guessed the Alembic facory will most likely not have enough time to assist in this I think it still could be the proper place to start the gathering. Whatever the place(s) are in the future they all should be easily (and affordably) accessible by the members, also for the ones coming from oversea destinations. This would mean places like bigger cities or close to them.
2. The timetable for this event should be agreed well in advance so that as many members would be able to join. Also for the arrangers to know how many of us are really going to join it. Since most likely a number of us will bring our better-halfs on a nice trip to US/Europe if not to join the meeting, at least for some serious shopping while we're busy playing the basses! This means more accommondation to be arranged for the visitors.
3. To arrange all this, including the program (which is the easiest and nicest part!) I think one person is not really enough. A group of two to four people should put their heads together and each one of them have their own thing to arrange, catering, hotels, transportation, programs an so on. This is to be done by a volunteer basis, or how should we thank these persons who have done the meeting possible? (Buy them free beer...!)
4. And if this is gonna be an annual thing then where is the next meeting, and when and by who? Time goes so fast and before we even know it it's time for someone to do it all again!
So, maybe a meeting later this year in Santa Rosa and the next year in Belgium? I vote for Paul TBO to be the headmaster for the 2006 gathering but he must have someone to help him (and if he wants to be the headmaster!?). I am willing to assist in any way I can. But who could be willing to pull the US meeting this year, or should all this be postponed to next year instead?
I have no idea how much time all these things would take to arrange but in theory it's possible to have a gathering in the coming autumn if we just get started now.
But, I am sure no matter how good or bad we consider ourselves as bass players it does not matter. The main thing is to meet people, see & play the basses and to feel the music and the groove we all can create!
All the Bass
Jan
