All office bearers on our Committee work voluntarily. The Committee meets once a month to discuss fund raising and any business arising for the betterment of the MBAS.

MBAS Committee Members:

Officers:

President:
Sonia Meggs
   email: sonia@mbas.org.au
   phone: 0425 776 613

When I was a little girl I wanted to perform on stage, well the performing went by the wayside, but in a way, I am on stage, announcing the great performers who participate in the functions of MBAS, so in a cense my wish came true. My family always had music of some form playing in our house, my music genre’s changed a few times while I was growing up, but I always came back to the blues

.I was introduced to the blues scene by a very close friend, and eventually thought there maybe something I could contribute to it through the MBAS, I joined the society as a member and sat back and watched, I became part of the committee some 9 years ago, I put my hand up for any job that was going, Treasurer, newsletter editor and a multitude of other jobs, I did the newsletter single handed on a computer (Dinosaur) given to me by Geoff Spiegel (former president), with none of the programs we have today, when I needed to cut and paste articles, that’s precisely what I did, scissors and all, then there was the job of getting the 2 or 3 page newsletter out to members, very primitive compared to today.

I have been president of the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society for about 7 years now, without the passion for the blues music industry, I would not be here today.
I have had the privilege of meeting some wonderful musicians and artists who have performed for us, I believe I have one of the best jobs in the world and I’m not getting paid for it with money but with pleasure instead.

We have a great bunch of committee members who all share the hard work, I do believe we have one of the best blues societies in the world, and we are thankful to all our MBAS members for their support as well as all the other people who throughout my involvement in the blues scene, put me on the right path, without you, we would be nothing.
I don’t know how long I will be president, that’s up to how well I can continue with the workload which has increased from year to year, but for now I say “let’s party”.

Keep the Faith, Blues is the Truth.
Sonia

Vice President:
Lee Koumarianos
(phone: 0425 800 980)

Secretary:
Athena Sachon

Treasurer:
Grant Collie

My love for music began at an early age mainly because my family played music and would have weekend long “Rorts” where muso’s would come along and play and enjoy themselves in the great social life of music. I began playing drums at the early age of 8 and was tutored in military, jazz and orchestral percussion.

During my teens I became infected with Rock and popular music, this led to me playing many different styles of music and to this day I still have a massive respect for musicians of any style of music and retain a wide appreciation of music. At 18 I left Australia and played in the U.K. and Europe for 4 years, this gave me a chance to learn about the entertainment industry and just how hard it is to survive as an unknown in the competitive world of music.

One thing I always felt was the great unity of musicians with absolutely no prejudices towards one another. This is something I still feel today in the MBAS and Blues musicians. Blues music covers such a wide range of styles of music giving anybody the chance to express themselves with either vocals or instruments. Good playing takes many years of practise and learning and having the chance to help others experience the emotional vibe of playing and entertaining ensures that I shall remain with the MBAS for as long as possible.

General Committee:

Pat McCaig -

Born in Edinburgh Scotland a loooong time ago and came to Australia in 1969. Happily divorced now. Loved blues music all my life although when I was young I didn't realise I was listening to the blues, for example, early Rolling Stones, The Animals, Steve Winwood, Allan Price, Georgie Fame and Ray Charles, I just thought it was cool.

Went to a Blues jam to buy a t-shirt and got hijacked onto the committee, best fun I've ever had. Favourite Aussie band is Collard Greens and Gravy (everybody knows that). Favourite people, my son, daughter and granddaughter and all my friends and of course my two cats Angus and Hamish.

Function Coordinator:
Gary Jones -

Webmaster:
Smokin' Sam Salzone

My musical career began at the age of 16, when I began singing and playing the blues with my first band, 'South City Union'. My early musical influences included Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and early Fleetwood Mac. My harp playing was moulded to Linkin Louisiana Peps and Blues Connection.

At the age of 20, other life interests took my attention away from being a musician, but I have always had my passion for music, and blues in particular, has always remained with me.

Seven years ago, I started my own web design business, and later added the Web101 Group, allowing me to offer a combination of web design and web hosting. This MBAS website is a collaborative, volunteer co-creation of Web101 Group and Sapphyr Web Designs.

After 31 years in 'musical hibernation, I wanted to re-join the musical world and become more active musically, so I went to an MBAS jam night in late 2005, met Sonia and joined the MBAS. In that time since participating in the jam nights, I have met some wonderful people and have had plenty of encouragement to keep developing my music career. Recently, I have teamed together with some fellow musicians and formed a new band called 'Synergy Blue'.