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Society Information
Rivertown
Bluegrass Society is dedicated to preserving and performing live bluegrass
music. These events are held on the third Saturday of each month at the
Wall auditorium
at
Coastal Carolina University
(Coastal Carolina University is located just east of
Conway, SC,
and about 10 miles west of
Myrtle Beach).
Several local and regional bands perform at each event as part of the scheduled
groups.Rivertown Bluegrass Society was organized in June of 1996. We are a South
Carolina non-profit corporation and a federally recognized 501(c)(3)
organization. We're bona fide. On October 7, 1997 we were presented with the
"Outstanding Arts Organization Award" by the Horry Cultural Arts Council at
their Annual General Meeting. The officers and members of Rivertown Bluegrass
Society are honored that others see the cultural and artistic benefit of our
endeavors.
Rivertown Bluegrass Society:
History
Here are a few old photos from time past.
May 1996
Rivertown Bluegrass Society began meeting informally in May of 1996. The first
concert was held at the Peanut Warehouse in Conway, SC on May 11, 1996. The band
line-up was:
General Delivery
The Morris Brothers
Jimmy Stone and the Southland Boys
Don Mercer and Low Country
Carolina Gospel
The organizers of this event were: Jennings Chestnut, Mickey
Sellers, Tommy Rogers, and Donna Coates.
June 1996
The second meeting was held at the Peanut Warehouse on June 8, 1996. The band
line-up was:
The Morris Brothers
General Delivery
The Gardners
Bluegrass Generations
The Pilgrims
Memberships were sold at the June 8th meeting at the
rate of $20 for an Individual and $30 for a family. The charter members from the
original receipt book are (in order):
1. Dorothy Hughes (family)
2. Mac Floyd (individual)
3. Joe Murrow (individual)
4. Nelson Fowler (individual)
5. Edsel Hooks (family)
6. Herbie Watts (individual)
7. Robert McDougal (individual)
8. Kenneth Worley (individual)
9. William Holliday (individual)
10. Tom Moore / Calabash (family)
11. Thomas and Lois Rogers (family)
12. Robert McDaniel (individual)
13. Nancy Tillman (family)
14. James Randolph (family)
15. JB Johnson (family)
16. Donald Mercer (individual)
17. Mary Morris (individual)
18. Jennings and Willi Chestnut (family)
19. Tom Moore / Myrtle Beach (family)
20. Don Bryant (family)
21. Troy Shearin (family)
22. J.C. Durant (family)
23. Emory Brown (individual)
24. Ronald Singleton (individual)
Rivertown Bluegrass Society applied as a South Carolina
Non-profit Corporation on June 17, 1996. We were officially recognized by the
office of the Secretary of State on June 25, 1996. Our official name became:
Rivertown Bluegrass Society of Conway, South Carolina Inc.
The original incorporators/board members were:
Jennings Chestnut, President
Donna Coates, Vice President
Mickey Sellers, Treasurer
Tommy Rogers, Secretary
August 1996
Two new directors were named to the board on August 24, 1996. They are David
Smith and Edsel Hooks. The board is now composed of:
Jennings Chestnut, President
Donna Coates, Vice President
Mickey Sellers, Treasurer
Tommy Rogers, Secretary
David Smith, Director and MC
Edsel Hooks.
September 1996
The meetings were moved from the Peanut Warehouse to the Wall Auditorium at
Coastal Carolina University. Dr. Charles Joyner (Burroughs Distinguished
Professor of Southern History and Culture and Director, Waccamaw Center of
Historical and Cultural Studies) sponsored us in this move.
The concert was held September 14, 1996 and featured:
Jimmy Stone and the Southland Boys
The Morris Brothers
Grass Roots
Carolina Gospel
Code Blue
The Gardners
Grant Income was received from the Horry Cultural Arts Council
on September 14, 1996 in the amount of $653. This was to be paid over three
months.
Jennings Chestnut (founding president) left the board on
September 19, 1996 to begin work on his next venture: the annual "Bluegrass on
the Waccamaw" concerts.
October 1996
The board was re-organized:
McRoy Garnder, President
Donna Coates, Vice-President
Tommy Rogers, Secretary
Edsel Hooks, Treasurer
David Smith, Director and MC
Splitting the above grant money between the bands and over the
next few months, each band was paid $54.33. (653 was rounded down to $652;
because 326.50 was received up-front and the amount was rounded to $326. $652 /
3 = $217.33 / month or $54.33/band.) RBS also provided funds to pay the warm-up
bands the same amount. Once the grant money ran out, we were finally able to
begin paying bands on our own.
The first bands to receive payment were:
The Gardner's
The
Wayne Lewis Family
The Morris Brothers
Bluegrass Generations
James Randolf
January 1997
RBS began paying bands $54 per set. The warm-up band was no longer paid.
March 1997
The band payout was reduced to $50.
May 1997
The Rivertown Bluegrass Society web site was created on May 23, 1997.
June 1997
The elections were held on June 14, 1997 at the annual meeting. The new board
members became:
McRoy Gardner, President
Tommy Rogers, Vice President
Edsil Hooks, Treasurer
Steve Treadaway, Secretary
David Smith, Director and MC
Gregg Turbeville, Director of Sound
Sam Gore, Director
September 1997
Our first workshop was held on September 13, 1997. Jimmy Fraley conducted a
banjo workshop.
Roy McMillan performed as part of the band, James Randolph and
the Bluegrass Tarheels. Mr. McMillan performed a song that he wrote in 1971,
"When You Go Walking", that is nominated for IBMA Song of the Year. "When You Go
Walking" was recently a hit for the Lonesome River Band on their 1996 Sugar Hill
release One Step Forward.
October 1997
On October 7, 1997 we were presented with the "Outstanding Arts Organization
Award" by the Horry Cultural Arts Council at their Annual General Meeting. The
officers and members of Rivertown Bluegrass Society are honored that others see
the cultural and artistic benefit of our endeavors.
January 1998
On January 15, 1998 Rivertown Bluegrass Society was awarded a $1000 grant from
the Horry Cultural Arts Council to be used for advertising and to attract bands
from outside of our area.
February 1998
Edsil Hooks resigned as treasurer on February 14, 1998 after a 1-1/2 years of
service. Gregg Turbeville was appointed to fill out the treasurer's term at the
February 17, 1998 board meeting.
Beginning with the February 14 concert, the band payout was
raised to $100.
June 1998
The elections were held on June 13, 1998 at the annual meeting. The new board
members became:
McRoy Gardner, President
Tommy Rogers, Vice President
Gregg Turbeville, Treasurer
Steve Treadaway, Secretary
David Smith, Director and MC
Sam Gore, Director
John Wilson, III, Director
Walton Singleton, Director
July 1998
David Smith resigned from the board and as MC to have time for his new Carolina
Sonshine band.
Local radio personality, David Joyner, took over the MC
duties.
August 1998
After raising money, we purchased our own single-mic (Audio-Technica AT-4033)
and began using it for all our performances.
October 1998
Rivertown was proud to welcome Gena Britt to our stage on October 10, 1998.
November 1998
Effective November 14, 1998 Tommy Rogers resigned from the board. Tommy was the
last original board member.
February 1999
Our February 13, 1999 meeting featured a banjo workshop and a fiddle workshop by
Terry Baucom and a mandolin workshop and a guitar workshop by Alan Bibey. These
world-class musicians are currently in the band Blueridge, and they are among
the best in their fields. Terry and Alan performed with The Gardners during the
evening concert.
March 1999
Mountain Heart performed two outstanding sets at our March 13, 1999 event of
Rivertown Bluegrass Society. This band features former Doyle Lawson sidemen
Steve Gulley, Barry Abernathy and Jimmy Van Cleve. Johnny Dowdle and Allen
Perdue round out the group.
April 1999
The monthly meetings were moved to the third Saturday of the month.
June 1999
The elections were held on June 19, 1999 at the annual meeting. The new board
members became:
McRoy Gardner, President
Jack Strickland, Vice President
Gregg Turbeville, Treasurer
Steve Treadaway, Secretary
Tom Faulkner, Director
Ron Gore, Director
John Wilson, III, Director
Walton Singleton, Director
January 2000
Mountain Heart returned on January 15, 2000. This became our highest attendance
concert with 224 tickets sold.
The Steve Kaufman workshop was held at the Theatre of the
Republic in Conway on January 28 and 29, 2000. The Saturday evening concert
featured Steve and special guess Alan Bibey.
February 2000
Blue Ridge performed on February 19, 2000. This became our highest attended
concert, with 234 tickets sold.
March 2000
On March 18, 2000 we received official notice from the IRS that Rivertown
Bluegrass Society now has federal 501(c)3 status.
April 2000
Steve Treadaway resigned as secretary and newsletter editor on April 13, 2000.
Steve served as newsletter editor for three years (April '97), and served as
secretary since June 1997. Increased bookings of his band Sawgrass strained his
already busy schedule.
June 2000
Annual elections were held with the board of directors being comprised of:
McRoy Gardner, President
Gregg Turbeville, Vice President and Treasurer
Ron Gore, Secretary
Henry Buck, Director
Tom Faulkner, Director
Walton Singleton, Director
Wayne Smith, Director
Jack Strickland, Director
September 13, 2000
After serving as president for four years, McRoy Gardner resigned. The board was
re-organized as follows:
Gregg Turbeville, President
Tom Faulkner, Vice President
Walton Singleton, Treasurer
Ron Gore, Secretary
Henry Buck, Director
Wayne Smith, Director
Jack Strickland, Director
January 2001
Rivertown Bluegrass Society had a successful Winter 2001 Concert Series. We
started the year off with BlueRidge on January 20, 2001. This marked the second
year in a row featured BlueRidge as a band, and the third year in a row we have
been fortunate enough to have Alan Bibey and Terry Baucom.
February 2001
In February, we hosted one of the great bands of the past few decades: The Lost
and Found out of Virginia. They appeared on February 17, 2001. We were excited
to have their new banjo picker, Ronald Smith. Ronald played at Rivertown
Bluegrass events for several years with New Classic Grass.
June 2001
Annual elections were held on June 16, 2001 with the board of directors being
comprised of:
Gregg Turbeville, President
Tom Faulkner, Vice President
Gregg Turbeville, Treasurer
Walton Singleton, Secretary
Randy Bane, Director
Henry Buck, Director
Mike Morris, Director
Jack Strickland, Director
Bob Toppings, Director
July 2001
Walton Singleton resigned after three years of service to the board. .
Secretarial duties were assumed by Gregg Turbeville.
January 2002
Our largest event to date. Rivertown Bluegrass Society was able to bring in
reigning IBMA Female Vocalist and IBMA Entertainer of the Year - Rhonda Vincent
and the Rage. This was by far the largest attended event in Rivertown Bluegrass
History. 314 tickets were sold for this event, eclipsing the old attendance mark
by 80! This was the first event in which advance tickets were printed and sold.
Fulfilling our mission as a non-profit organization dedicated to making
Bluegrass affordable, tickets were only $7 for members and $10 for non-members.
June 2002
Annual elections were held on June 15, 2002 with the board of directors being
comprised of:
Mickey Sellers, President
Tom Faulkner, Vice President
Gregg Turbeville, Treasurer
Connie Jordan, Secretary
Randy Bane, Director
Emory Brown, Director
Henry Buck, Director
Lynn Jordan, Director
Steve Treadaway, Director
This election saw the return of two former board members:
Mickey Sellers and Steve Treadaway.
June, 2002
In June 2002 at the regular board meeting the board voted and
passed we would no longer play one band two sets per night and would go back to
the three bands per night venue.
October 2002
October, 2002 at the regular board meeting the board discussed
that due to the rise in cost we needed to raise the admissions prices. It was
voted on and passed. Effective November 2002 the admission for monthly concerts
will increase to $4 for members and $6 for non-members. There has been no
increase since the society was formed in 1996. Mickey will provide Steve with a
note to include in the monthly newsletter for this month.
January 2003
On January 18, 2003 Rivertown Bluegrass Society hosted it's
5th annual winter festival. Performing at this event was the Larry Stevenson
Band and the Sounds of Grass. Due to the limited seating, the board felt that
with this caliber band performing we would need more room so this event was held
at the Wheelwright Auditorium.
Also at the January board meeting . Tom Faulkner turned in his
written resignation as Vice President of RBS effective immediately to allow him
to do more with his new band Mountain wood.
February 2003 Board members voted in at the June meeting were:
Mickey Sellers-president, Steve Treadaway-vice-president, Connie
Jordan-treasurer, Peggy Sellers-secretary with the following directors, Henry
Buck, Emory Brown, Jay Bird Harris, Lynn Jordan and Steve Shelley
On February 15, 2003 Rivertown Bluegrass Society hosted the
second part of it's 5th annual winter festival. Performing at this event was Lou
Reid and Carolina band and Southern Junction band. Because the Wheelwright was
not available for this month the event was moved to the Conway High School
Auditorium.
Annual elections were held on June
21, 2003 with the board of directors being
comprised of
Mickey Sellers President
Steve Treadaway, Vice President
Connie Jordan, Treasurer
Peggy Sellers, Secretary
Lynn Jordan Director
Henry Buck Director
Emory Brown Director
Jay Bird Harris Director
Steve Shellie Director
Highlights of 2004, Board members voted in for June 2004:
Steve Treadaway-president, Jay Bird Harris-vice president, Doyle
Smith-secretary, Steve Shelley-treasurer with the following directors: Larry
Dunnegan, Mack Goude,. Randy Bane and Chaucey Johnson. January
started the year with one of the bigest acts in bluegrass history, J. D. Crowe
and the New South played at the Conway High School. Cooper Metal works
donated a 200 CD changer which was raffled off to help with the expenses.
The highlight of this show was our local banjo player, Otto Cook was able to go
on stage and pick with J. D. Crowe.
Highlights of 2005 The board was as follows:
President -- Steve Treadaway, Vice President -- Jay
Bird Harris, Treasurer -- Weston Dix, Secretary -- Mike Morris Secretary -
Steve Shelley, Director - Becky Jordan, Director - Doug Clark , Director - Bob
Hamlin, Director - Larry Dunnagan. January of 2005 we had a concert
which featured Blueridge. This concert was at the Wall Auditorium and a
decision was made to keep all of our concerts at this venue to keep the expenses
down. February of 2005 concert featured two of our local bands, The Morris
Brothers and the Sounds of Grass.
Highlights of 2006
President -- Jack Christiano, Vice President--Steve
Treadaway, Treasurer -- Weston Dix, Secretary -- Doug Clark, Director -- Jim
Miles, Director --Becky Jordan, Director -- Greg Brown, Director - Bob Hamlin,
Director -- Thomas Lilly Alecia Nugent was the featured
artist at our January concert, also on the bill were the Carolina Connection.
Highlights of 2007
President Mickey Sellers
Mcroy Gardner Vice President
Cynthia Lilly Treasurer
Jim Miles Secretary
Cathy Brown Director
Thomas Lilly Director
Doug Clark Director
Donna Llewellyn Director
September 2007 Board voted to change band format. We
will no longer play one band one set and the other band two sets. Both bands
will play two 45 min. sets each.
Highlights of 2008
Mickey Sellers President
McRoy Vice President
Tony McCrackin Treasurer
Kathy Stiltner Director
Thomas Lilly Director
Jarrod Sellers Director
Dean Jackson Director
Donna Llewellyn Director
October of 2008 The board voted with the blessing of the membership to raise
the price of admissions by two dollars. The admission will now be $10 for
members and $12 for non-members effective January, 2009
Highlights of 2009
President Mickey Sellers
Tony McCrackin Vice President
Cathy Brown Secretary
Tony Mc Crackin Treasurer
Thomas Lilly Director
Jarrod Sellers Director
Donna Llewellyn Director
Dean Jackson Director
Jim Grainger Director
The reason Tony holds two offices. There was a treasurer voted in, but only came
to one meeting and never came to another concert nor meeting.
Highlights of 2010
On June 19th 2010 the new board was voted on and pass unanimously.
June of 2010 Board Members will be as follows.
Mickey Sellers President
Donna Llewellyn Vice President
Cathy Brown Secretary
Doug Clark Treasurer
Thomas Lilly Director
Jarrod Sellers Director
Jim Grainger Director
We need nine boards members, so the Board is still looking for two more
people to sever as directors. When we find two we will call a special meeting
for that perpose.
The board is in the prosses of making plans for a large festival and fund
raiser for march of 2011. The event will be held at the Conway High School
auditorium. The Shriners will pertisapate in this event. Half of all net profits
will go to the Shriners Childrens Burn Hospital.
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