February 5th, in my role as FocusMusic’s Executive Director, I hosted the FocusMusic annual meeting and jam. For the first time in two years we were back in-person, looking at one another’s smiling faces, making bad jokes and eyeballing one another’s drinks trying to figure out… “now, was that MY water or YOURS?”
I set up sound, a couple of mics, handed one to Herb Levy, outgoing FocusMusic president, and let the games begin.
There was great music, mostly from people I knew, but with a couple of new faces – and I even got to play along with some people which … normally makes me really, really nervous, but today was a fantastic time.
People were slow to roll in. I mean… they knew the meeting was before the music and I think there were plenty of attendees who were glad to skip that part. But… I mean, maybe it’s just my impression after so many Zoom meetings, but I thought Sunday’s meeting was pretty fun!A fabulous list. “*” means they’re part of Focus leadership. (And Gabrielle should’ve had one too) I ended up actually going LAST instead.Ross Martin.Jillian Matundan, incoming president of FocusMusic, performing at our 2023 annual meeting.Michael Potts.Annette being warned that she’s up next. Getting a smoke effect courtesy of passing fajitas.Daniel Thomas Fahey.“Sully” William Sullivan.Susanna Laird.Gabrielle needed a music stand. They got a rob instead.Gabrielle Zwi.Alexander Thuronyi.Susan RoweWarning Juels Bland that he’s up next.Michael BruenJuels Bland taking the stage with Zander Baldwin on clarinet. Juels Bland photobombing his own set.Jeff Smith has now been warned that HE’S next.Jeff Smith and Sherry Stewart are Sunny @ Midnight.Focus leadership in the house. Herb Levy, Jillian Matundan, Annette Wasilik, me and Gabrielle Zwi. Not pictured : Joan Clark (in one of the Carolinas), Shelley Caplan (left early), Emily Hall (had a gig), Michael Amster (quit), Judy Oliver (skidaddled), Brent Ruggles (MIA).
