 |
Behind the Scenes
|
|
Behind the Scenes
|
It is quite astounding to discover the amount of time Robin Ira
has spent poring over BluesNotes editions during her tenure as proofreader.
During the decade or so that she has performed this very important function,
I estimated a total of nearly 500 hours - quite a bit of time for something
that at first appears to be a simple task: reading; no, intense reading; looking-for-mistakes
reading. Each month, our Editor provides Robin with sections
of the 'Notes as they are ready for review; most are read through more
than once, which involves quite a lot of time. But, Robin declares:
"It's my way of giving back to something I love so much." How's that
for commitment?
Originally, there were three people who assisted in proofing; then Robin would do the final read. With Robin's impressive 19 years experience as a legal secretary, where she has had plenty of time to hone the necessary attention-to-detail skills, she is certainly qualified. Robin now takes on the complete task of proofreading. She offered some trivia in order to help put her tenure into perspective: this is the fourth CBA office location in which she has worked. And, let me tell I you, I've sat there for over three hours filling in for Robin on a rare occasion when she was unavailable; it has resulted in some true appreciation derived through personal experience.
Involvement in the Portland music scene began for Robin while she was married to local sax player, Gary Clinton, who originally performed with Jazz combos. He then joined up with Lloyd Jones "This was about 15 years ago, "Robin recalls. With the Lloyd Jones Struggle as her first introduction to the Blues scene, she was immediately hooked. Robin started meeting people at the venues and eventually made it to a membership meeting. From there, she got involved and "started volunteering for everything." Robin has worked the CBA merchandise booth quite a lot over the years and enjoys the Waterfront Blues Festival, having worked every year, with the exception of two, since first starting. Now, Robin enjoys the scene behind the Front Porch Stage, filling in as hostess, or where ever needed. She confides having heard some great stories over the years. (Note to Self: get on that volunteer list for this year.) Robin eventually served on the CBA Board for a term of three years; that was about six years ago.
Robin has introduced quite a number of people to the Blues and the CBA. She states: "I will never lose track of the Blues; I don't know what I would do without the music and people I've met over the years. They are my second family." She has a high regard for our Editor and past Association President, Rick Hall.
Her highlights while serving on the CBA board: the opportunity to place a CBA VIP pin on Pinetop Perkins at the Waterfront Festival in conjunction with the occasion of his birthday; the chance to assist Homesick James when he was in Portland to perform at the CBA Acoustic Festival. Robin states that while Homesick was very entertaining, she had great difficulty understanding his heavy Delta drawl: "It was a completely different language for me."; and presenting the "Muddy Award" to her friend Robbie (Laws).
A real advantage to her CBA responsibility is that Robin has learned a good deal of Blues history through reading (every single word, in fact) of the BluesNotes. She is pleased to find that she can now identify a number of Blues artists simply from hearing their individual sounds.
Robin tells me that music has been a very important ingredient while growing up in the Portland/Vancouver area. Her Mom has performed in piano bars (Lyla's, Henry Fords, Flamingo) as a "torch" singer and keeps it up to this day. She now organizes sing-a-longs and programs for the residents at the adult living center where she lives. Robin's brother, Tim, is also an accomplished musician who plays several instruments, writes songs, and sings. Robin was in a cappella and swing choirs all through school and ventured out to sing with a group during her high school days. "We did Guess Who, Three Dog Night and Grand Funk Railroad, among others." The family's music interests have now been passed down to her daughter. Nearly a teen, Kelsey has been a favorite among certain CBA members since she was a "Blues baby," having attended membership meetings while still in her Mom's arms. She is also familiar with many of our local performers.
I asked Robin if she had any special local favorites- always a tough question. She states being partial to Lloyd and Struggle for her Blues initiation; Michael Brummel and the Lucky Dawgs, great R&B band, Robbie (Laws), Jesse (Samsel), Duffy (Bishop) & Chris (Carlson), Ellen (Whyte), she could go on and on. "I've been truly blessed with the opportunity of getting to know such great musicians, several of whom have become good friends over the years." She is impressed and appreciative of the talent in Portland and encourages everyone to get out and support our live music. She enjoys throwing big barbecues for her friends, with live music whenever possible. Robin's other big love is swing dancing, which she enjoys with her sweetheart, Brad. She tries to get out at least once midweek and one night on the weekend. The recovery period during the week takes a little longer every year, but its worth it. She indicates that an appropriate epitaph would read: "You play, you pay..."
Robin recalls a couple of special moments she has experienced over the years. "Joe Houston was playing Key Largo and Brad and I were sitting on the patio. Joe came up to us and asked what we'd like to hear. He played just for us and talked a little bit about the 'old days' with his friends, among them, Gene Ammons my favorite sax player. The band had already started playing without him and he just kept talking. It really was a magical moment. Another time, we were just leaving Universal Studios and wanted to make a couple of Blues clubs. Prior to leaving, we noticed B.B. King's Blues Club, which had just opened two days before. We went in and mentioned that we were with the Cascade Blues Association in Portland, Oregon, and we received special treatment. The following Friday we went back to see Rod Piaeza & The Mighty Fliers. We danced our feet off. The next week the Fliers were in Portland and Miss Honer remembered us. We talked and danced. It was great fun."
So, if you happen to catch a "typo" among these pages that may have slipped by, cut Robin some slack - just think of all the errors she's probably caught prior to printing. It is people like Robin with such a deep commitment who truly keep this organization up and running - one task at a time. Thank you, Robin.
© 2002 Cascade Blues Association