WELCOME, NEW MEMBERS

300 Mark Reached!

By Diana Black

I don't know if April showers will bring May flowers, but they sure brought the L.A.S.C. a bunch of new members!

New members joining since the April issue of the Letter are: Neil Newman, Roscoe Bland, Thomas A. Greenfield Andrew (Jack) Roberts, Donald Ray McGrew, Reba Ashcraft and Larry Standiford. They have received membership numbers 294-300, respectively.

Neil Newman lives in Hardinsburg, Kentucky, which is about ninety minutes from Louisville. In the late 1970s, Neil played drums for the band "Blue" in Tucson, Arizona. More recently he has opened solo for bands in "ratty" bars in the Lexington area. (I would like to hear about those bars sometime, Neil!) In his home 4-track studio, Neil plays bass, drums and keyboards, but considers himself mainly a guitarist. He is currently writing "folkie" rock tunes and would like to find a collaborator. Neil has offered to help the co-op in any way he can, including performing. Hope to see you at one of our meetings soon, Neil.

Roscoe Bland is a lyricist who needs a collaborator to help him put music to his words. He lives about halfway between Louisville and his place of employment in French Lick, Ind. so coming to his first meeting on April 16 required a good bit of driving. But Roscoe is serious about improving his songwriting skills and he's hoping to be able to get a song on tape in time for the May 21 critique session. Anyone out there interested in working with Roscoe? (Maybe a look around in this very column could help?)

I had been introduced to Thomas Greenfield's, "Dirty Old Man" some time before I met the writer of that very funny tune.

I met Thomas the night of his debut appearance on our April Showcase. (Yes, he did a splendid rendition of the above-mentioned song!) Thomas is Dean at Bellarmine College and still manages time to write various styles of music: novelty, folk, blues and country. Thomas' background includes playing guitar in several country-rock bands along the East Coast from 1977-81. He also performed with Actors Theatre of Louisville in the fall of '89. Having offered to help us out with performing, let me say we'd love to hear more of your tunes, Thomas.

Andrew "Jack" Roberts was the $500 grand-prize winner in our Songwriting Competition '89.

His tune, "The Limestone Church," has recently been published and given air play on WFPL. Jack began his writing only two years ago and feels very fortunate for the recognition he has received. He plays guitar and harmonica and is writing Southern gospel, country, MOR and whatever happens to strike him. And yes, he would like to try his hand at collaboration. Keep up the good work, Jack!

Donald Ray McGrew and Prez Paul "go back" many years, but it was only recently that Donald decided to become a member of the co-op. He is actively involved with MERF and is also an artist, composer and poet. Donald wrote that he "has always called Louisville home," and from the sound of it, he apparently feels at home in the L.A.S.C. Thanks, Donald.

I spotted Reba Ashcraft in the audience at the April Showcase, but did not have the opportunity to speak with her. I remember Reba from old NSAI days, though she did not recognize me. As I do not have any current information on Reba, let me just say my memory recalls some real down-home country tunes from that lady. Hope you can make one of our meetings, Reba.

Larry Standiford joined during our April 16th membership meeting. I had the chance to talk briefly with him and found out he performs at Uncle Pleasant's, Butchertown and our Open Stage. Larry is performing alone at the present time, but from 1968-mid '80s he played in the following bands: Publications, Tobias and Titan. Currently, between gigs, Larry is writing rock and country rock tunes and would also like to consider collaboration. With Larry's background, I'm happy to say he has offered to help us out with fund raising and performing. We'll be calling, I'm sure, Larry.

Speaking for the L.A.S.C., I would like to say how important we feel each member is to the co-op. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (502) 893-0693 and I will be happy to help in any way I can.

Also I would like to mention that anyone interested in joining the L.A.S.C. or just wanting more information about the organization is welcome to call me at the above number and I will be glad to answer any questions and/or forward a membership application.

PLEASE NOTE: I would like to encourage new members to include with their completed application an attached page with information about themselves. Our welcome column is the perfect place to "let yourself be known."

WELCOME BACK!

By Diana Black

L.A.S.C. would not exist long without the continued support of its members. Thanks to the following people for "signing on for another year":

Papa Gene Adams, Henry Austin, Becky Bennett, Docrates Halloway, Steve Meigs, Lisa Murray, Tom Scoggins, Michael Schroeder, Dorothy Vessels, Shirley Wood and Suzanne Wood.