Happy December, Blues fans! The best month of the year! Why? Well, anyone asking that question must be new to the Blues Letter. ‘Tis the month of my birth! It’s also the 4th Annual Honey Bee Sepeda Birthday Benefit for Blue Star Connection. The first two were held on my actual birthday, December 27th. However, last year we had Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, Prodigal Son of the Outlook playing mid-month, so we decided to hold it early with Bob as our special Birthday Benefit Guest (my favorite early b-day gift). We found out that auction items sell much better when offered before the gift-giving holidays. So from here on out, this event will be held the first Saturday of December. 

Who’s my birthday present this year? RONNIE BAKER BROOKS! Yes, My Ronnie is flying in to party with us. Backed by My Beloved Delta Sonics, Ronnie is ready to throw down, and a vicious city rumor has it that Lionel, Gretchen, Tempa, and Peaches are also dropping by to get in on the bandstand action (do we really need last names for these talents?). 

For anyone not aware of Blue Star Connection, here’s the pertinent information:

What is the Blue Star Connection?  This is just one of the  Grand County Blues Society program under the Blues in The School Umbrella. Blues in the school here means "where children learn about music" Not all children get to be in the red brick school house. Sometimes school is a hospital room and all by yourself, or your bedroom at home in the middle of the night.

We are going to reach out to children all over the country who are dealing with cancer, life threatening disease. Basically any kid with a hard road to travel. We are going to reach out in two basics ways.

We are going to get instruments in their hands if they are in need.  Blue Stars can receive an electric guitar and amp. Blue Stars can have a nice acoustic guitar . They do  get a real kick out of the power and noise of the electric instruments.  Keyboards have now gained a lot of popularity. We get almost as many requests for keyboards now as guitars. We also have found horns, flutes, and a violin can fill the bill as well as drums.

We are also going to reach out to music promoters and club owners, festival organizers to allow these kids and their guardians, parents etc... to come to events as our guests. They will get to meet the artists and enjoy live music as it was meant to be. Everyone knows that musicians are the  most thoughtful ambassadors on earth.

Our hope is that blues societies all over the country will take this program to heart and help us fund Blue Star Connection. Even individuals that find this mission worthy of thier efforts can raise funds for the program and have a say in where part of the proceeds can be spent. http://www.grandblues.org/BlueStar/tabid/59/Default.aspx

I’m very proud and honored to be involved with this organization, and I received this quote from John Catt:  Honey's Birthday Bash for Blue Star Connection is the oldest annual event the BSC enjoys, and we sincerely  appreciate the outpouring of support from the "Boulder Outlook family." ~John Catt, Grand County Blues Society~

Wow! I didn’t realize ours is the oldest annual! Hang on, I’m getting a little weepy.