Project Update & 2021-22 Fees

 

It has been some time!

 

2020 and 2021 are an ongoing challenge for all of us involved with Victoria’s blues music. 

With lockdowns, constant gig cancellations, non-existent artist income and festivals/venues on their knees, these are indeed difficult times. BMV fully supports the national plan to achieve 70-80% of the population vaccinated so we can hear our beloved blues music played again in live venues and festivals.

 

Thank you to all those who have stayed positive, performing on social media and other streaming services for all of us, and to you our members who have supported artists directly with merchandise and music sales.

 

BMV has continued to operate in COVID mode since early 2020. We have held monthly ZOOM meetings and pushed ahead with new ideas as much as possible. Here as some of the highlight from the last twelve months.

 

A number of you were able to attend at the MEMO in St Kilda last November to see Geoff Atchison and Phil Manning inducted into the BMV Hall of Fame. What a fabulous night, with live music from Geoff, Phil and our Youth Ambassador Charlie Bedford.

 

BMV has been authorised as an official funding agent for Support Act. Support Act provide incredible crisis support to people in the industry and have been doing fabulous work during COVID. We have pledged 10% of our membership and other income to Support Act to help them deliver their services. More information at: www.supportact.org.au

 

BMV enjoy a very productive relationship with Music Victoria. We are a business industry member, our Ambassador Lloyd Spiegel sits on the Artists Advisory Committee and our President Barry Maxwell chairs the selection committee for the annual MV best blues release panel.

 

For 2021-22 Music Victoria are providing complementary MV membership for all financial members of Blues Music Victoria. A great offer and will bring with it all the usual MV member benefits and discounts.

 

We have been in discussion with Music Victoria concerning some significant new developments in 2022 for the blues community, and we are looking forward to bringing you updates as they come to hand.

 

We are looking to being able to support development of the Victoria wide blues trail – a music/tourism initiative that will promote the blues industry as a valuable part of Victoria’s arts and cultural landscape. 

Plans are being developed to bring blues musicians to local halls, and in association with local artists, provide each community with a fabulous night of some world class blues. We’ll put them all in a bus, and guess you could call it a Blues Bus Tour as well.

 

In late 2022 we hope to be able to bring a series of high quality blues showcases to some regional centres, culminating with our next Hall of Fame in late November at MEMO in St Kilda.

 

The BMV Committee decided to renew all industry and individual memberships at no cost for 2020, and provided musicians a no cost opportunity to join as BMV members for 2020, and again in 2021.

 

We are now requesting membership dues for the 2021-22 financial year.  Application form and payment options are available on our web site here: www.bluesmusicvictoria.com.au/membership 

 

When your fees are received, we will send you a link and code so you can take advantage of the complimentary Music Victoria membership.

 

We are very optimistic looking to 2022 and beyond for blues music in Victoria, and invite you to add your support in keeping the blues front and centre!