STEPHEN
MILLER MEMORIAL BLUES BASH
Space Coast Harley- Davidson / Buell, Palm Bay, FL.
August 26, 2006 - 11 AM to 11 PM
IN MEMORY OF LEGENDARY BLUES MAN
Stephen A. Miller 1942 - 2003
STEPHEN MILLER MUSIC IN THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM BENEFITS
ANNUALLY FROM THE STEPHEN MILLER MEMORIAL BLUES BASH.
E.A.R.T.H. stands for Entertainers Against Ruining Their Home. E.A.R.T.H
Awareness of Brevard, Inc. a non profit group, started in 1999, is comprised
of entertainment industry professionals, musicians, artist, actors,
environmentalist and generally anyone who loves the arts, children,
and the earth . The organizations mission is to make a difference in
the creative lives of our children. The group is dedicated to preserving
creative outlets and natural experiences for the youth in Central Florida,
to preserve arts programming in our schools and pass on the culture
and the traditions of American roots music.
E.AR.T.H. Awareness of Brevard, E.ntertainers A.gainst R.uining T.heir
H.ome, started the Annual STEPHEN MILLER MEMORIAL BLUES BASH in August
2003. The first fundraiser was a celebration of life concert in honor
of Stephen Alan Miller, Brevard’s Grandpa Blues. Steve was instrumental
in bringing traditional blues music to the Florida Space Coast. After
his passing, his friends decided to get together and honor his memory
with a special concert to raise money to help his wife of 40 years,
Janet, pay his mounting medical expenses. Musicians have no insurance
and the music community felt this was a way to help Janet and remember
Steve and his music.
The “Stephen Miller Celebration of Life”, a 1 day event,
was held at The Kiwanis Island Park Pavilion in Merritt Island, FL.
On Sunday, August 24, 2003 from 11 AM to 10 PM. 3500 people came out
to enjoy a wonderful day of blues music and to celebrate the life of
their beloved blues man. It was a major success and over $20,000 was
raised to help the family with medical and funeral expenses. At that
time was discussed with Steve’s family that we should make the
benefit an annual event.
"The 2nd Annual Stephen Miller Memorial Blues Bash” was held
on August 22, 2004 again at Kiwanis Island Park, by E.A.R.T.H. Awareness,
with the assistance of Janet Miller, whom wanted to keep the event going
and felt a desire to start a "Stephen Miller Music In The Schools
Program" in memory of Steve. $1500 was raised to start this music
supply assistance program for the elementary schools in 2004. A poker
run was started in 2004 and 100 motorcycle enthusiast participated the
first year.
"The 3rd Annual Stephen Miller Memorial Blues Bash” was hosted
by Lou’s Blues on Sunday, August 28, 2005. 2500 People came out
to support elementary school music programs. The poker run had 175 motorcycle
enthusiast, whom raised $750 for the cause. It was another great day
of blues music with $10,000 being raised. 40 Remo professional key tuned
Tubanos, world drums, were purchased and distributed to the elementary
school music program by EARTH Awareness & The Space Coast Blues
Society.
Steve loved kids and always took the time to pass on his Blues traditions
to anyone who wanted to know about Blues music. Passing on his tradition
of music to area elementary school children is a way to honor his memory
and his love for traditional Blues Music. Steve played with many national
acts including, Earl Hooker, John Lee Hooker, Elvin Bishop, The Allman
Brothers and Grinder Switch to name just a few. He was one of the founding
members and the Hammond player for Brevard’s own blues legends…The
Groove Monsters and can be heard on over 50 recordings.
Each year’s lineup includes a list of talented musicians who had
the privilege of performing and learning from Steve, as well as regional,
national and international musicians. A Winos for Peace Reunion is held
every year featuring, Steve’s prodigues, Bruce Johnson on the
harmonica, Mighty Joe Luley on the drums, Mike Tolnay & Ray Satcher
on bass, with guitarist Mark Otis, Josh Miller, Papa Chuck, also featured
in the reunion jams will be Randall Brown, Dave Grier and other artist
who played with Steve for many years, Blues Mama Cookie Mariano, Kenny
Cohen and Austin Pettit, with many other special guest. National artist
who have performed in the past are Bonnie Bramlet, Dave Fiester, Dru
Lumbar, and Grinderswitch, just to name a few. In 2006 Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame inductee, Artimus Pyle of Lynyrd Skynyrd has been asked
to headline the Bash. Artimus was on the road with Stephen Miller in
the 70’s, when Grinderswitch opened for Lynryd Skynyrd. Each year
unbelievable musicians donate their time to provide an incredible day
of blues music paying tribute to Stephen Miller, their beloved Grandpa
Blues.
Numerous Volunteers come out each year to help with the event. It’s
only through the kindness and dedication of the music community and
our corporate partners that make this event possible each year.
A Picking Shed stage exposes the audience to some great Traditional
Acoustic Blues. A Guitar Workshop presented by a blues singer songwriter
and a Blues History Workshop are planned for this stage annually.
The list of organizations involved for the event keeps growing each
year, presenting sponsor for 4 years is Jack Link & Associates.
In 2006 the event will be presented by Space Coast Harley- Davidson
/ Buell, others involved annually are Publix Supermarket Charities,
WA1A, Clearchannel Brevard, WFIT 89.5 Radio, Brevard Live Magazine,
Florida Today, Brevard Cultural Alliance, The Space Coast Tourist Development
Council, The Beach Shack, The Saints Motorcycle Club, Harley Owners
Group, The Beach Resident, Space Coast Live, MSA Productions, SpaceCoast
Design.com and others are helping insure the event to be bigger and
better every year.
The Music Community comes together to insure all children have creative
outlets. Children need nature, music and the arts - not guns, drugs
& violence. Other information about E.A.R.T.H. Awareness and the
Stephen Miller Memorial Blues Bash are available on our websites at
http://www.earthawareness.org or http://stephenmillerblues.com or by
calling 321-636-7231.
Non-Stop BLUES & Fun All Day!
E.A.R.T.H. Awareness of Brevard, Inc., 1729 Cogswell Street, Rockledge,
FL. 32955,
Contact Sue Luley at (321) 636-7231
E-mail: earthfestival@bellsouth.net or jacklink@bellsouth.net
Thank you for making our dream of passing on the Blues tradition to
the Elementary schools in our area, a reality. E.A.R.T.H. Awareness
is a 501c3 Non profit organization and all donations are tax deductible
as allowed by law.
Sincerely,
Susan Luley
President
E.A.R.T.H. Awareness of Brevard, Inc.
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