Presidents

SMBA FORMER PRESIDENTS Was the organizations first president. Jams and meetings were held at the Embers in Carlisle October 1982-January 1983, the New Cumberland River Rescue in February, and the Enola American Legion from March—July of 1983. Bands scheduled for shows included the Bluegrass Cardinals, and Del McCoury. Wynne organized a bus trip for members to go see Ricky Skaggs in Maryland. Wynne past away in 2008.

Wynne Fishel (1982-1983)

Plays the banjo. Jams and meetings were held monthly in Aug/Sept 1983 at Willow Mill Park and then moved to the New Cumberland Fire Hall in 1984. Jon established committees to enhance membership, attendance, and set goals for the future of the SMBA. Jon has played in several bands, and, since 2005, has chaired the SMBA Music Committee which selects the bands for our shows. He is recently retired as a PA State employee. Jon and Walt Crider made annual pilgrimages to the IBMA events in Louisville, KY. Jon plays banjo for The Old Time Way. Jon Raemore (1983-1984)

Plays the guitar. The jams continued in New Cumberland. The shows held at Stoney Creek Barn featured Del McCoury and American Standard and were well attended when winter weather wasn’t a hindrance. As president he organized a camping outing for SMBA members. Mike played with Country Rain a band that was considered on the “fringe” by traditional bluegrass fans. By all accounts they had wonderful vocal harmonies. He is currently employed by UPS. Mike Hord (1985)

SMBA FORMER PRESIDENTS Plays the banjo. Jams were still held at the New Cumberland Fire Hall and shows at the Stoney Creek Barn featured popular bands such as Whetstone Run and Seldom Scene. When the agreement with the barns owner was not renewed, the shows were discontinued. Tom introduced bluegrass outside of the traditional format with the band Hazel Creek. He is currently a singer/songwriter with the Shuey Brothers Band, having released three CDs. He is employed by Brown Transmissions & Bearing Co. and is also the pastor of Fontanna United Christian Church. Tom Clawser (1986)

Jim Good (1987-1988)

Played the acoustic bass and dobro. Jim hosted his own series of shows at the Horst Auction Barn, as well as the Lebanon Valley Bluegrass Festival which was held in Reinholds, PA every summer. He was active in the SMBA as emcee for many of our shows and served on the Music Committee. He was a machinist at PENDU Mfg, played bass for Chester Johnson & The Foggy Mountain Grass, and was a volunteer fireman in the Martindale VFC. Jim was a key figure in bluegrass music throughout the Central Pennsylvania area. He was a popular promoter of the genre, bringing many well known bands to area concerts. Jim past away in 2006.

Walt Crider (1989-1991)

Plays the guitar, mandolin, lead and harmony vocalist. The jams and shows held at Fishing Creek were very well attended. Walt introduced Lost & Found and many popular bands at our shows. He recommended that SMBA join the IBMA. He also published our newsletters and show flyers. Walt is employed by York International, serves on our Music Committee, and is considered a masterful guitar player, singer, and yet another central figure in Central Pennsylvania bluegrass circles. In 2002, Walt released a CD titled, “Walt Sings Mac”, a tribute to the legendary Mac Wiseman. Walt is the lead singer for The Old Time Way.

SMBA FORMER PRESIDENTS Plays the dobro. The jams/meetings, as well as our monthly shows were all held at Fishing Creek. Ray recalls that during his tenure he tried not to introduce any new initiatives, maintaining the status quo to keep the organization running smoothly. The jams had good attendance. Ray says his most memorable moment was when he introduce the Bass Mountains Boys at one of our shows. Ray is president and CEO of Transply Corporation, headquartered in York, Pennsylvania. Ray has really honed his dobro playing skills and is a very popular player at jams. He has served as an SMBA Trustee. Ray Gross (1992)

Plays the banjo. His tenure as president was the longest, serving six years. He introduced many great bands at our shows at Fishing Creek. Marlin is a retired employee of IBEW Local 143. As president of the SMBA he sought to welcome newcomers to our jams and encouraged their participation. For a few years, he held an annual SMBA jam/picnic at his home and continues to frequent many of the areas jams. Marlin has collected and stores an extensive library of SMBA memorabilia. Marlin Henry (1993-1998)

Dick Neff (1999—2003)

Plays the bluegrass and claw-hammer banjo’s, and lead vocals. Jams/meetings were moved from Fishing Creek to the First UMC in Mechanicsburg. Our Constitution, bylaws, non-profit and tax exempt status were all updated. The SMBA shows were moved to the Goodwill Fire Hall in York, and a Music Committee was appointed to schedule bands for the shows. Show attendance increased dramatically. A retired professor of mathematics at Messiah College, Dick formed the group The Grace Notes. They released two CD’s, “The Old Homeplace”, and “Trying To Get Your Attention”. He formed another group called Stringtown Skyscrapers releasing their first CD titled Pennsylvania Mountains”. Dick gives banjo lessons at his home in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

SMBA FORMER PRESIDENTS

Bill Aldinger (2004)

Plays banjo, guitar, and dobro. Bill served as president when no one else really wanted to accept the responsibility. During his one year term, he made vital changes that re-energized enthusiasm among SMBA members. He organized an annual picnic/jam. Now held in Boiling Springs, PA, the annual picnic is an exciting event that draws young and old alike. Bill emceed our shows in York and made every effort to connect with young people who share a common desire to play bluegrass music. Bill continues to serve as the Picnic chair. Bill is retired from Consolidate Freightways, is a Red Cross volunteer, and drives school bus.

Bob Bishard (2005)

Plays rhythm and lead guitar, lead and harmony vocals, and song writer. Previous to his position as president, Bob was chairman of the music committee, bringing in up-andcoming bands like Nothing Fancy and Steep Canyon Rangers. As president he asked former president Dick Neff to help update the SMBA Constitution and By-Laws to better represent the growing membership. He helped to acquire a non-profit mailing permit, and a liability insurance policy, and established the bi-annual board meetings to better manage SMBA affairs. Bob is editor of the SMBA newsletter. Briefly with the Grace Notes, Bob plays guitar with the Stringtown Skyscrapers.

Glen Miller (2006-2007)

Plays rhythm guitar. Glen is one of those people who is a natural leader. His gentle, kind-hearted demeanor and deep radio voice really serve him well in dealing with the varied personalities and people in the SMBA. Glen previously served as SMBA emcee and spokesperson introducing bands at our Shows in York. He is a regular attendee of the SMBA jam held in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Glen is a retired industrial logistics and transportation manager which included participation in numerous local, state, and national work-related associations. He has served as a part-time lobbyist and has done guest lecturer work at the college level. He and his wife, Mary, live in Northern Maryland. They have one son, a pharmacist, who lives in the Lansdale Pa area. Glen says he is a “proud supporter of bluegrass music and SMBA.”

SMBA FORMER PRESIDENTS

Walt Crider (2008-2009)

This is Walt’s second time around as president of the SMBA. In 2008 he organized a benefit festival held in Campbelltown, Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the benefit went to the Easter Seal Society. The quality of bands being pursued by the music committee for our concerts continues to reflect Walt’s personal pursuit of excellence in bluegrass music. Walt continues to be a key figure in Central Pennsylvania bluegrass circles and is founder of The Old Time Way, a very popular traditional bluegrass band. Walt is a walking library of bluegrass trivia and his repertoire of the genre’s music is second to none.

2009 OFFICERS Walt Crider Dick Beckley Jean Snyder Dick Neff

President Vice President Treasurer/Membership Recording Secretary

(717) 292-6175 (717) 938-4975 (717) 957-4609 (717) 697-2064

2009 TRUSTEES Bill Aldinger Glen Miller Jon Raemore

(717) 728-9039 (410) 343-2228 (717) 599-5944

2009 CHAIRPERSONS Bill Aldinger Bob Bishard Patsy Kline Mike Lebo Dan Onefuer Jon Raemore

Picnic Committee Newsletter Editor Scholarship Committee Web Master Librarian Music Committee

(717) 728-9039 (717) 957-4349 (717) 964-3797 (717) 215-3088 (717) 432-0770 (717) 599-5944

SMBA OFFICERS & VOLUNTEERS Year

President

Vice-President

Treasurer

Secretary

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1983 1982

Walt Crider Walt Crider Glen Miller Glen Miller Bob Bishard Bill Aldinger Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Marlin Henry Marlin Henry Marlin Henry Marlin Henry Marlin Henry Marlin Henry Ray Gross Walt Crider Walt Crider Walt Crider Jim Good Jim Good Tom Clawser Mike Hord Jon Raemore Jon Raemore Wynne Fishel Wynne Fishel

Dick Beckley Jerry Ryan Walt Crider Walt Crider Glen Miller Bob Bishard Bob Bishard Bob Bishard Doug Moats Doug Moats Doug Moats Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Kermit Kissinger Marlin Henry Ray Gross Ray Gross Ray Gross Walt Crider Walt Crider Jim Good Tom Clawser Mike Hord Mike Hord Jon Raemore Jon Raemore

Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Mary Wohler Mary Wohler Mary Wohler Mary Wohler Mary Wohler Mary Wohler Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Gene Yost Steve Eng Steve Eng Steve Eng

Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Dick Neff Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Jean Snyder Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross Mary Lou Gross

In addition to those who have served as president, the SMBA has been blessed with countless devoted volunteers serving in support rolls. Listed below is a list of those folks who served as trustees, committee chairpersons, and/or volunteers, often times working behind the scenes to make the SMBA the successful organization it has become. In 2005 a Board of Trustees was created to help the officers handle the activities and the decision making process. Esther & Gene Yost Mary Lou & Ray Gross Mary & Don Wohler Bob Albert Jean Snyder Doug Moats Dick Neff

Raylon & Lloyd Bishop Kermit Kissinger Bill Gabel Bob Jones Dan Onefuer Glen Miller Jerry Ryan

Jon Raemore Bill Aldinger Patsy Kline Bob Bishard John Bulley Mike Lebo

If you have a name of someone who should be listed please let us know. Thank you !