the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 [email protected] www.nuci.org Linda Phillips Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Matt Hudgins Pam Keener Larry Tenner Newsletter Contributors Photos Design & Layout
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SEPTEMBER 2010 nuçi’s space 396 Oconee Street Athens, GA 30601 706.227.1515 [email protected]www.nuci.org Newsletter Contributors Linda Phillips Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Matt Hudgins Photos Pam Keener Design & Layout Larry Tenner the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space , a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center A Brief Look Back BY BOB SLEPPY I n October 1999 I knew a little about Nuçi’s Space through an occasional headline in the Flagpole, Athens’ music weekly, and hearing a few people talk about it around town. Despite the lack of de- tails, I thought I knew the basics. Nuçi, a fellow musi- cian in town had taken his own life a few years back in 1996 and his family wanted to build a rehearsal space in his memory. Immediately I thought it was a great idea. My experience with rehearsal spaces up to this point consisted of a wide variety of old, dilapidated buildings that offered many fascinating ways in which you or a band member could permanently get injured. While taking a break during an evening shiſt at the Last Resort Grill, a coworker asked what I was do- ing aſter work. In addition to a few interesting shows, he mentioned there was a benefit for Nuçi’s Space at the 40 Watt Club that evening. Since my path home passed in front of the club, I decided to stop in to check things out. I pushed through the double doors of the 40 Watt and saw David Barbe and Daniel Hutchens on stage performing. While waiting at the bar an elaborate dis- play near the coat-check caught my eye. Eventually I paid for my beer and made my way over to the display to start reading. • Every 42 seconds someone in this country attempts suicide. • Every 16.7 minutes someone completes a suicide. • Over 85 people a day die by suicide. e statistics continued for another 8 or 9 lines. Having lost a close friend to suicide in 1992, these numbers had a profound effect on me. As I learned more about Nuçi’s story and the Phillips’ plans for Nuçi’s Space I began to see myself, my friends and fel- low musicians within their vision. Nuçi’s Space was going to be much more than just a rehearsal space. Excited about what I had just discovered, I took a piece of literature with an email address on it before I leſt the club. e email address belonged to Linda Phillips. Aſter a couple of months and several dozen email exchanges, Linda invited me to share in her vision for Nuçi’s Space, offering me the position of Executive Di- rector in December 1999. Less than a year later, under the guidance and unyielding determination of Linda Phillips, Nuçi’s Space opened its doors on September 30 th , 2000. It’s now late-August, 2010 and we are just weeks away from celebrating the 10 th Anniversary of Nuçi’s Space. e organization has come a long way since that night at the 40 Watt Club and our grand opening 10 years ago. Since inception, Nuçi’s Space has assisted over 755 musicians with direct financial aid. Over $100,000 annually is allocated to this program alone. In addition to our counseling programs, thousands of musicians and bands have used our rehearsal rooms, performed on our stage and have made Nuçi’s Space their home. I am fortunate to walk into work each day know- ing that I work for an organization, with a great staff, which spends each moment advocating for and sup- porting musicians and the creative community. Signed posters from Drive-By Truckers, B-52’s, Modern Skirts, e Whigs and Widespread Panic, with mes- sages of support to Nuçi’s Space, line the front room of our building. e overwhelming support we receive from large and small businesses, countless musicians and artists, community volunteers and donors from around the country remind us that we’re not alone in our fight. We are hosting a 10 th Anniversary Party at Nuçi’s Space on Friday, October 1 st from 5:30–9:30pm. In preparation for this big event I am making a special request for your participation. We would like to fill the walls of Nuçi’s Space with messages of good will, “thanks”, testimonials and congratulations. You can send these to us via email at [email protected]or just drop a note in the donation envelope provided. If you’d prefer to share your comments anonymously please instruct us to do so. ank you for your help and we look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
Linda PhillipsBob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordMatt Hudgins
Photos
Pam Keener
Design & Layout
Larry Tenner
the newsletter for Nuçi’s Space, a nonprofit musicians’ support/resource center
A Brief Look Back by bob Sleppy
In October 1999 I knew a little about Nuçi’s Space through an occasional headline in the Flagpole, Athens’ music weekly, and hearing a few people talk about it around town. Despite the lack of de-
tails, I thought I knew the basics. Nuçi, a fellow musi-cian in town had taken his own life a few years back in 1996 and his family wanted to build a rehearsal space in his memory. Immediately I thought it was a great idea. My experience with rehearsal spaces up to this point consisted of a wide variety of old, dilapidated buildings that offered many fascinating ways in which you or a band member could permanently get injured.
While taking a break during an evening shift at the Last Resort Grill, a coworker asked what I was do-ing after work. In addition to a few interesting shows, he mentioned there was a benefit for Nuçi’s Space at the 40 Watt Club that evening. Since my path home passed in front of the club, I decided to stop in to check things out.
I pushed through the double doors of the 40 Watt and saw David Barbe and Daniel Hutchens on stage performing. While waiting at the bar an elaborate dis-play near the coat-check caught my eye. Eventually I paid for my beer and made my way over to the display to start reading.
• Every 42 seconds someone in this country attempts suicide.
• Every 16.7 minutes someone completes a suicide.• Over 85 people a day die by suicide.
The statistics continued for another 8 or 9 lines. Having lost a close friend to suicide in 1992, these numbers had a profound effect on me. As I learned more about Nuçi’s story and the Phillips’ plans for Nuçi’s Space I began to see myself, my friends and fel-low musicians within their vision. Nuçi’s Space was going to be much more than just a rehearsal space. Excited about what I had just discovered, I took a piece of literature with an email address on it before I left the club. The email address belonged to Linda Phillips.
After a couple of months and several dozen email exchanges, Linda invited me to share in her vision for Nuçi’s Space, offering me the position of Executive Di-rector in December 1999. Less than a year later, under the guidance and unyielding determination of Linda Phillips, Nuçi’s Space opened its doors on September 30th, 2000.
It’s now late-August, 2010 and we are just weeks away from celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Nuçi’s Space. The organization has come a long way since that night at the 40 Watt Club and our grand opening 10 years ago. Since inception, Nuçi’s Space has assisted over 755 musicians with direct financial aid. Over $100,000 annually is allocated to this program alone. In addition to our counseling programs, thousands of musicians and bands have used our rehearsal rooms, performed on our stage and have made Nuçi’s Space their home.
I am fortunate to walk into work each day know-ing that I work for an organization, with a great staff, which spends each moment advocating for and sup-porting musicians and the creative community. Signed posters from Drive-By Truckers, B-52’s, Modern Skirts, The Whigs and Widespread Panic, with mes-sages of support to Nuçi’s Space, line the front room of our building. The overwhelming support we receive from large and small businesses, countless musicians and artists, community volunteers and donors from around the country remind us that we’re not alone in our fight.
We are hosting a 10th Anniversary Party at Nuçi’s Space on Friday, October 1st from 5:30–9:30pm. In preparation for this big event I am making a special request for your participation. We would like to fill the walls of Nuçi’s Space with messages of good will, “thanks”, testimonials and congratulations. You can send these to us via email at [email protected] or just drop a note in the donation envelope provided. If you’d prefer to share your comments anonymously please instruct us to do so. Thank you for your help and we look forward to seeing you in a few weeks.
A lot has happened since Thanksgiving Day 1996 when Nuçi ended his life because he could no longer endure the intractable pain of Clinical Depression. I’d like to be reporting almost 14 years later that no other family has had to endure the pain of a lost loved one to this terrible disease. But in fact, things are much the same. The 1999 statistics Bob refers to have not changed significantly.
According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
• Once every minute someone in this country at-tempts suicide.
• Every 15 minutes someone completes a suicide.• Over 90 people a day die by suicide. 2,300 more at-
tempt to do so.
• In 2007, there were 34,598 reported suicidal deaths.
Although the statistics do not reflect where I’d like us to be in the fight against Depression and Suicide, I recognize that remarkable strides have been made. One person, one organization can make a difference. Your support of Nuçi’s Space in the past 10 years is proof. Together, we have helped to improve the lives of many and yes, we have even helped to save lives. But we must continue. My hope is that on the 20th Anniversary of Nuçi’s Space, the statistics will reflect a much-improved picture. And then and only then will families escape the pain of losing a loved one to a dis-ease that perhaps will have been eradicated.
Along with Bob and the tireless Nuçi’s Space Staff, I’d like to invite you to join us on October 1st to cel-ebrate good health and healthy outcomes.
Nuçi PhillipsMemorial Foundation
Board of Directors
President: Stephanie Sharp
Vice President: Matt Justus
Treasurer: Robert L. Bachman, CPA
Secretary: Rebecca Hood
Linda V. PhillipsPierre PhillipsPatterson HoodDavid BarbeNikki BoatwrightDr. Bill OrrSally SpeedBenjamin Roberts IIIEllie MacKnightK.P. Devlin
Executive Director
Bob Sleppy
Legal Counsel
Mike LavenderJim Warnes
Recent DonoRsBel-Jean Copy/Print CenterBerg, KristenBryan, Philip & JaneCanine, DavidThe D’Addario Music Foundation
Deutsche BankEngel, Jeff & BeckyThe George Link Jr. Charitable Trust
Georgia Power CompanyGibson, SaraHanna, DustinHill, PatrickJackson EMC Foundation, Inc.Justus, Matthew & Mary BethKrafft, SusanneLester, DavidLowe, Michael & Kaye A.Lyndhurst FoundationMarsh, DaveMedina, TerranceMejias, Erin & SergioMitchell-Evans, JacquelynNicholls, Anna M.Nickels, MavisNorton, JasonPhillips, Dr. & Mrs. Pierre
Redmond, CourtneyRoberds, Thomas & PamelaRosenberger, Charles & Chandler
Schoenke, KateSchools, DavidSleppy, JanetSmith, Walter E. & Rosie O.Soileau, Jeff & SheridanStarrs, ChrisStephenson, F.J. & SharonUniversity of Georgia Libraries Staff Association
Zankel, Ken & AnnaZeiler, Marlene & Mike
In Memory of April BachtelBarbe, Mr. & Mrs. DavidBates, HortenseBower, Don & JulieBurkett Smith, LindaCommunity Foundation of Central Georgia, Inc.
Denson, NancyENT Of Athens, LLCFischer, Michael & LoetteFrazza, JanineGagai, Mr. & Mrs. AndrewGeswein, Diane
Harden, DebraHorton, DeniseKalivoda, Trish and KennethMathews, Robert & PamMauldin, Joseph & SherylMauldin, Teresa & Jack Pannecoucke
McGinnis, Robert & TeresaMcKeller, BobbieMeehan, Michael & MaryNorton, JimPaul, SusanRoberts, DonRobinson, R. MixonToney, LindaTurlington, BarbaraWebster, MaryWells, JenniferWhitfield, Ray & Rhonda
In Memory of Vic ChesnuttBunnell, John
In Memory of John Coggins IIIKim Coggins
In Memory of Dr. Felix Evangelist
Selah Dubb
In Memory of Reese FittsMama’s Boy Restaurant
In Memory of Ted HaferArthur B. Johnson & Donna D. Ashley
In Memory of Michael McWhirterSarah Henderson
In Memory of Sue PurdinHeather Purdin
In Memory of Bradley RobinsonCoopman, Steve & JuliDeLong, DorothyPack, RobertPack, Steven & JeriPack, Tim & JaneRobinson, David & ChristineRobinson, Douglas & PamRunge, Richard & Christine
In Memory of Richard SleppyJanet Sleppy
In Memory of Bo Tompkins and Ben Vereen
L.C. Tompkins
A Personal Note from the Founder…
It is with great pleasure that we extend congratula-tions to David Barbe for being named Interim Direc-tor of the Music Business Program within the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia.
Currently a Nuçi Phillips Memorial Foundation Board member, David was the first person I called when I came up with the idea for Nuçi’s Space. Not only has he been a friend of ours since the beginning,
he was a friend of Nuçi’s.We all know him as an avid and active supporter
of Athens’ music and musicians as well as a respected member of the community.
I think Nuçi described David best when he told me, “Mama, you’re going to love this guy. He’s such a good family man.”
Good luck David.
Congratulations David Barbe by linda phillipS
nuçi’s spaceStaff
Bob SleppyWill KiserLaura FordMatt HudginsDan NettlesChris ByronPaul PraeJoey Kegel
Interns
Nicole HolubarMatthew Mendez
10th Anniversary PartyOn September 20, 2000, the doors opened at Nuçi’s
Space.That fall ten years ago, the Nuçi’s Space staff was
comprised of founder Linda Phillips and Executive Director Bob Sleppy. The Space’s hourly rehearsal rooms (with brand-new gear in them) were an anomaly in Athens, which helped spread the word of the new musicians’ sup-port center in town.
As we turn 10(!) years old this fall, we are encour-aging all of our volunteers, friends and supporters to come help us celebrate. For those who have friends who have never been inside the Space, it’s a great time
to tour the building and meet everyone involved.Over the years the staff—as well as the number of
people served by our mission—has grown. We’ve cre-ated new programs like Camp Amped all while being
able to offer our services to more and more people. As of the publication of this newsletter, Nuçi’s Space has helped over 750 people receive professional counseling or visits to a psychiatrist.
We are celebrating the beginning of our 10th year on Friday October 1st. We’ll provide food, live music and refreshments as well as an auction of signed music memorabilia.
10th Anniversary Party at Nuçi’s SpaceFRIDAy, OCTOBER 1, 2010 · 5:30 P.M. · FREE!Live music from: Jim White, Shauna Greeson, Peter
Alvanos, Marisa Mustard, Claire Campbell & more!
I’ve recently noticed that as I get older I find myself excited about things which would have seemed mundane or even offensive to the edgy, young punk nihilist I once thought I was. You know, “ooh, Top Chef ’s on!” or “ooh, buy one get one free!” Well, Nuçi’s Space is turning 10 soon and I have to say that we’re all pretty darn excited about carpet; specifi-cally, the beautiful new carpet in our rehearsal rooms which was generously donated by At-lanta West Carpets of Austell. I was also per-sonally excited to see one of my oldest friends, Brent Jacobs, an employee of theirs who facili-tated the donation and supervised the instal-lation. A thousand thanks to Atlanta West Carpets and to Brent for helping us remain a second home for musicians in Athens.
Every year that we’ve put on our Suicide Prevention and Community Education 5K run/walk it’s been bigger and more successful than the year before. Almost 300 people signed up for last year’s race.
The course winds its way through the UGA campus, starting in front of an empty Sanford Stadium (the Bulldogs do play football that day, but they’ll be miles away in Boulder Colorado—kickoff is at 7 pm).
How you can be involved…Tell your friends about the
race—they can sign up on our website at www.nuci.org. Your friends can even sign up as a “phantom runner”—they’d get a t-shirt, and the best part is they wouldn’t even have to run 3 miles!
OR, you could put together a team of runners and walkers and participate as a group!
7th Annual S.P.A.C.E. Race 5K
7th Annual S.P.A.C.E. Race 5KSATuRDAy, OCTOBER 2, 2010 · 9 A.M.Start line: Sanford Drive and Hooper
Street, near UGA Memorial HallRegister online at www.nuci.org
Thanks, Atlanta West Carpets! by Matt hudginS
Over the past four years, Camp Amped has grown from a relatively small program with lots of potential to one of the most
unique and successful summer programs in Athens. Each year seems to get bigger and better, and 2010 was perhaps our most successful year yet!
In both the June and July ses-sions, 20 students were placed into bands and worked together for two weeks and performed a Grand Finale show at the end of Camp. Over 200 family, friends, and community members were in attendance at each session’s Grand Finale. The two week-long summer day camp is about more than just playing music, though. Camp Amped teaches deeper life lessons in self-expression, com-munication and working with others, and provides aspiring young musicians with the men-torship of established local musicians. This holis-tic approach to music education has proved to be very successful and meaningful to both parents and participants.
The local music community has been particu-larly supportive of Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped programs, and a few bands even volunteered their time to come in and perform. The Modern Skirts played a special show in July, and local
heavy rockers Pride Parade played shows for campers dur-ing both the June and July ses-sions. Drive-By Truckers front man Patterson Hood also visited Camp Amped each month to hang out for an afternoon. He participated in the day’s Survival Skills for Creative Minds session, sat in on ensemble practices, played a set for the campers and staff, and participated in the afternoon’s closing circle.
Camp Amped was honored this past June to receive a spe-cial Flagpole award for its Camp Amped youth programs. The community support of Camp has
been overwhelming, and Nuçi’s Space would like to thank all of our supporters for doing so much to help the program succeed. One of the most important priorities for Camp Amped is to make
CAMP AMPED 2010 by laura Ford
Contributing Restaurants:
The GritFive Star Day CafeJimmy John’sRaising Cane’sAmici’sDePalma’s EastsideClockedBarberitosMama’s BoyLoco’sTransmetTaco StandDondero’s KitchenSubwayFive Points Deli
Active Volunteers
McKenzy BaileyWinston BarbeVan BevilleChristopher BaileyAlex Blankenship Phillip CarpenterWick CauthornJustin Clark Lesley Cobbs Emily GalleanoCate GodleyDesiree GrigsbyKip Hicks, M.D.Chrismon HinschCaleb HunterPam KeenerCynthia Krafft Gabriela MejiasNancy MilliganChloe PetersonNorma Pylant Morgan RuedlingerWilliam Smith Anna SpanglerBrian SweeneyLiz Wyth
sure that no child is unable to attend camp due to the inability to pay, and Nuçi’s Space has pro-vided approximately half of its participants with full or partial scholarships since the program began in 2007. This summer alone, Nuçi’s Space awarded over $9,000 in scholarships to students in financial need. This was accomplished with the help of sponsors like Ken and Anna Zankel (who
actually got to visit Camp this year!), the Jackson EMC Foundation, Junior League of Athens and D’Addario Music Foundation who provided grants to help pay for scholarships. Scholarships were also made possible because of the local restaurants who provided donated or deeply dis-counted lunch so that the money Nuçi’s Space raised could go directly to the scholarship fund.
If you are in Athens, please take a moment to visit one of the restau-rants listed on the preceding page and thank them for supporting Nuçi’s Space and Camp Amped!
Even though the summer ses-sions are over, young musicians will still be able to participate in Nuçi’s Space’s Camp Amped pro-grams in the Fall through Camp Amped After School. CAAS, which began its 3rd installment on August 19th, is an extended version of the summer program where students come in twice a week to meet with their instructors and practice with their ensembles. The Grand Finale for Fall 2010 CAAS will take place at 7:00pm on Sunday, November 14th at the Melting Point. The event will be free and all-ages, so go ahead and mark your calendars now!
If you are interested in sup-porting Camp Amped Youth Programs, would like to be added to the Camp mailing list, or would just like more information, please contact Camp Coordinator Laura Ford at [email protected].
June Participants:Mary CookIsik BensonAlex BlankenshipElijah Schilbrack-ColeNick BrownBrooklynn AdamsJackson MartinJustin GranadosWard ArchibaldSeth WalshJacob ConleyGabriela MejiasDJ WaylandNick BradfieldAlex White
Lennon MedvickJohn MingledorffJacob ConaChase BrownBeau Anderson
June Instructors:Dan NettlesCarl LindbergJoel ByronClaire CampbellThayer SarranoBetsy FranckPeter AlvanosJoJo Glidewell
July Participants:Ana ColonOliver BensonHenry BarbeJacob PeekJoey KegelZach WrightWilliam KissaneJacob SamuelsonKeegan ArgoHunter HulseyMack GregorySean Van MeterChris SaucierPorter McLeodMarisa Mustard
