Grand Master Fiddler Championship Inc.

Transcription

1 Grand Master Fiddler Championship Inc. General Information Contact Information Nonprofit Grand Master Fiddler Championship Inc. Address 4219 Lindawood Drive Nashville, TN Phone (615) Fax 0 Web Site Web Site Facebook Facebook hharris@grandmasterfiddler.com At A Glance Year of Incorporation

2 Mission & Impact Statements Mission To educate about and perpetuate fiddling as an art form and cultural treasure. Background The Grand Master Fiddler Championship was the brainchild of Perry Felton Harris, M.D., D.D.S, Colonel U.S.A.F. and had its origins in the mid-1950's when Dr. Harris was in school at UNC-Chapel Hill, NC. Dr. Harris heard that Roy Acuff and his Smokey Mountain Boys were going to be playing nearby. He and some friends decided to go see them. Dr. Harris loved fiddle music! Dr. Harris found his way backstage, met a man by the name of Howard Big Howdy Forrester beginning a friendship that lasted for life. Howdy played fiddle for Roy and did most of the bookings for Acuff-Rose. In addition to being a Smokey Mountain Boy, he was an executive at Acuff-Rose Music Publishing (Acuff-Rose Music Publishing was sold to Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2003 and remains one of the most extensive classic song catalogues in music today.) Dr. Harris moved to Nashville in 1965 and his friendship with Howdy allowed him to spend almost every Friday and Saturday evening at the Grand Ole Opry in Roy Acuff's dressing room. Dr. Harris became known as the Opry Doc and he developed many close friendships with various Country Music stars such as Roy Acuff, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe, the Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse & the Virginia Boys, and many others that would later be of support to the Championship. Another friendship developed when he met E.W. Bud Wendell who was a very successful executive with National Life & Accident Insurance, the parent company of WSM and the Grand Ole Opry. From the 1960's through 1971, Dr. Harris was persistent in his lobbying of Bud, Roy, and anyone else that would listen, for their support in his sincere belief that the Grand Ole Opry needed a fiddle contest. In 1971, Bud told Dr. Harris that WSM would provide support for the contest if he would organize it and supply the fiddlers. Dr. Harris gathered Howdy, Roy, Johnny Gimble and others together to come up with a list of those to be invited to compete in the first GMFC that was held in June 1972 in the parking lot of Opryland USA (now Opry Mills) Vernon Solomon of Texas was crowned Champion and appeared with Roy on the Saturday night Grand Ole Opry, beginning the tradition of the Champion playing the Saturday night Opry that continues today. The GMFC has always been blessed with the greatest contestants and entertainers. June 1972 entertainment consisted of Roy Acuff and the Smokey Mountain Boys, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Bill Monroe and his Bluegrass Boys, Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys, Marty Robbins, the Country Gentlemen, Lester Flatt & Mac Wiseman. The entertainers perform in between the contestants rounds as scores are tabulated. From 1972 through 1997 the preliminaries were held in the Ryman Auditorium, and the finals and championship rounds in Opryland USA. Opryland USA theme park closed in In March 2004, Howard Harris, with the help of Ed Carnes, formed the Grand Master Fiddler Championship, Inc. as a Tennessee non-profit corporation. The Corporation was awarded U.S. IRS 501(c)(3) status in July In 2004, the GMFC with the guidance of Bud Wendell, held a series of meetings with Dan Hays, President of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) to explore possible ways to work together. After approval by the Board of Directors of the GMFC and the IBMA, the competition was re-established and held in conjunction with the IBMA World of Bluegrass annual event in Nashville, Tennessee in October 2005 and remained part of IMBA's annual convention through In 2013, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum invited the GMFC to hold our annual competitions in the Ford Theater. Fiddling is an important part of the country music story, and we're happy to welcome museum visitors in to hear and see that the tradition is alive and well. It is entirely fitting that we now hold the Grand Masters in a room-the museum's Ford Theater- named for old-time fiddle enthusiast Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company he founded. Mr. Ford staged fiddle contests at his dealerships across the nation in the 1920s, and he would be proud of this link to him and to his legacy. We are proud to be able to grow the Championship and know that through the hard work and dedication of many involved over the years we will be allowed to expand beyond our current scope of activities to include teaching, support teaching institutions, and many other activities that promote the fiddle and fiddle music.due to the success of this collaboration, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum invited the GMFC to make the Hall of Fame its permanent home. The 2017 GMFC is set for Labor Day weekend September 2nd & 3rd in the Ford Theater. We hope that you will be there too. 2

3 Impact The Board of Directors voted to form a new partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum when they extended an invitation to host our events in the Ford Theater was our third-year in the Ford Theater. The Hall of Fame has invited the GMFC to make it the permanent home of our annual competitions. Labor Day weekend 2016-September 3rd and 4th are the dates for this year. Holding the competition over Labor Day weekend enable families with school age children an extra day of travel time and avoid missing school. This new collaboration allow us exposure to more than 1,500 country music fans per day during our events and yearround workshop and teaching opportunities. September 3rd and 4th, 2016 are the dates for the 45th Annual Grand Master Fiddler Championship. In response to contestant, fan, and advisory board requests from our annual survey of how to improve the GMFC, we instituted the Youth Division and it has grown significantly. The board approved the new Youth Division with the financial support from the National Fiddlers Hall of Fame and board member Lisa LaFortune. Due to its success, we will continue this competitive division for youths ages fifteen and under. Continuing this important expansion will help us in our mission to preserve fiddling for future generations! Senator Robert C. Byrd Award recognizes the champion of the Traditional Fiddle Contest division. This award is given annually in honor of the late Senator Byrd, who meant so much to traditional fiddling in America, and was an American icon. We will continue to honor Senator Byrd's memory and his meaningful contributions to fiddling with the help and sponsorshsip from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.We recognized Mr. Fletcher Bright of Chattanooga, TN with the Dr. Perry F. Harris Award in Fletcher Bright Company has been involved in hundreds of shopping center transactions throughout the Southeast and Midwest while continuing to be a leader in residential sales in the Chattanooga area. His accomplishments and contributions to fiddling and Bluegrass are well known. Fletcher is an accomplished fiddler, leader of the bluegrass band the Dismembered Tennesseans and is reported to know more fiddle tunes that anyone else. Fletcher is a generous teacher and supporter of fiddling. Needs Our needs include finding additional sponsorships, financial support, and donations to provide instruments for inner city, at risk youths and to the W.O. Smith Community School. Our typical budget is $30,000 to hold all events, and there is normally a $5-$8K gap that we need sponsorships to fill.we are always searching for new board members, and hope to continue to garner attention from country music artists who we feel should be actively supporting the roots of their music. volunteer teachers to provide lessons and participate in hands-on workshops for Metro Nashville and schools across Tennessee.Metro Nashville Public Schools getting involved and taking advantage of the teaching and workshop opportunities. Other ways to donate, support, or volunteer Even in the Volunteer State, we always need help at our events including the Championship, which is always held over Labor Day weekend dates are: September 1st and 2nd at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the Ford Theater. You can volunteer to teach lessons at the W.O. Smith Community Music School or one of the monthly fiddle 101 demonstrations at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the Ford Theater. We also encourage you to donate your time in your local community supporting the Arts! Call to get details of opportunites to help that fit your schedule. Service Categories Primary Organization Category Arts,Culture & Humanities / Music Secondary Organization Category Education / Primary & Elementary Schools Tertiary Organization Category Youth Development / Youth Development Programs Areas of Service Areas Served TN - Davidson 3

4 TN Board Chair Statement See CEO statement above CEO Statement Youth! we continue to be amazed at how young and how talented the contestants are in the Youth competition category. The single most important change, and source of enjoyment for me personally, has been to witness the transformation from what was for most of my youth- a competition made up of 90% over-fifty-white-guys to almost evenly split between girls and boys. Since 2010 the average age of the Top10 is under twenty-two. The Grand Master Fiddler Championship continues to preserve the foundation of what America now calls country music. 4

5 Programs Programs Grand Master Fiddler Championship Description We host an annual competition that is open to all contestants choosing to enter. There is no entry fee. That has been our policy since Competitions in four divisions (Open, Traditional, Youth and Accompanist) are held over two days each fall in the Ford Theater in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Contestants from across the United States, Canada, and as far as Australia, make the trip to Nashville to compete for the coveted title of Grand Master Fiddler Champion. We offer workshops for inner-city, at-risk youths in Metro Nashville and have donate fiddles/violins to the W. O. Smith Community School to support their teaching efforts. The Grand Master Fiddler Championship is recognized as the premier competition of its kind in the United States and past champions include: Mark O'Connor, J'Anna Jacoby (Rod Stewart), Jimmy Mattingly (Garth Brooks & Dolly Parton), Dan Kelly (Clint Black & Alan Jackson, Roy Acuff), Dale Morris, Jr (Ray Price & Marty Stuart), Justin Branum (Sons of the Pioneers) and many others of our fiddle family play and teach all over the world! We strive to preserve the Texas and Traditonal-styles of fiddling that began country music and remains the base of coutry music today. The contestants compete for the coveted title of Grand Master Fiddler Champion, over $10,000 in prize money, the Fiddler statue, and the opportunity to play the Saturday night WSM Grand Ole Opry. Many use the Grand Masters as the step to a job with a major entertainer or to become a session player. Budget Population Served,, CEO Comments Although donations increased in 2017, funding continues to be a challenge. It is important to note that the Grand Master Fiddler Championship is 100% volunteer with no salary or bonus paid to board members or volunteers. One of our goals is to develop a instructional video for fiddles in the schools and we continue to look for the required funding to make this a reality. Board member Chrystal Plohman has developed a program and is beta testing now. 5

6 Governance Board Chair Board Chair Mr. Howard H. Harris Company Affiliation Transnational Foods, Inc. Term Jan 2004 to Dec Board Members Name Affiliation Status Mrs. Gayla Bollinger Bosie State University Voting Mr. Edward L. Carnes Carnes Group Voting Ms Lisa LaFortune National Fiddler Hall of Fame Voting Mr. Charles Smith Mr. Robert L. Taylor West Virginia Division of Culture and History Voting Voting Mrs. Crystal D. Wiegman Vanderbilt Blair School of Music Voting Board Demographics - Ethnicity African American/Black 0 Asian American/Pacific Islander 1 Caucasian 5 Hispanic/Latino 0 Native American/American Indian 1 Other 0 0 Board Demographics - Gender Male 4 Female 3 Unspecified 0 Governance Board Term Lengths 4 Board Term Limits 10 Board Meeting Attendance % 75% Written Board Selection Criteria? Written Conflict of Interest Policy? Yes Under Development Percentage Making Monetary Contributions 88% Percentage Making In-Kind Contributions 100% 6

7 Constituency Includes Client Representation No Number of Full Board Meetings Annually 2 Standing Committees Nominating Program / Program Planning Volunteer Communications / Promotion / Publicity / Public Relations Risk Management Provisions Accident and Injury Coverage Special Event Liability CEO Comments Funding for many 501 (c)(3) organizations has been affected by the changes in our enconomy, and the Grand Master Fiddler Championship has been touched as well. However, we have been able to weather these changes and secure necessary support from sponsors and Arts funding organizations enabling us to attract some of the most talented musicians in the U.S. Our primary goal will always be to hold the annual Championship and workshops for youths in Nashville. We want to enhance our educational support with the Metro Nashville Public School system. Fiddling remains based here in Music City U.S.A. and I encourage each of you to come and enjoy the music and history Labor Day weekend September 1st and 2nd 2018 in the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. 7

8 Management Executive Director/CEO Executive Director Term Start Jan Mr. Howard H. Harris Experience Howard Harris serves as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. This is voluntary role and there is no compensation. Howard has been active in the GMFC since its beginning in 1972 when he was a youth just watching and learning. In the late 1980s he took on more responsibility and rose to Co-Chairman in 1995 taking over as CEO upon the founders death in Staff Full Time Staff 0 Part Time Staff 0 Volunteers 24 Contractors 4 Retention Rate 90% Plans & Policies Does the organization have a documented Fundraising Plan? Under Development Does the organization have an approved Strategic Plan? Under Development Number of years Strategic Plan Considers N/A In case of a change in leadership, is a Management Succession plan in place? Under Development Does the organization have a Policies and Procedures Plan? Under Development Does the organization have a Nondiscrimination Policy? Yes Does the organization have a Whistle Blower Policy? No Does the organization have a Document Destruction Policy? No Affiliations Affiliation Year Country Music Association (CMA)

9 Financials Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Start Jan Fiscal Year End Dec Projected Revenue $26, Projected Expenses $24, Endowment Value $0.00 Endowment Spending Percentage (if selected) 0% Detailed Financials Revenue and Expenses Total Revenue $26,051 $28,390 $30,091 Total Expenses $24,722 $28,310 $30,082 Revenue Sources Foundation and Corporation $0 $0 $0 Contributions Government Contributions $0 $0 $0 Federal $0 $0 $0 State $0 $0 $0 Local $0 $0 $0 Unspecified $0 $0 $0 Individual Contributions $23,090 $27,170 $28,161 Indirect Public Support $0 $0 $0 Earned Revenue $2,256 $0 $0 Investment Income, Net of Losses $0 $0 $0 Membership Dues $0 $0 $0 Special Events $0 $0 $0 Revenue In-Kind $0 $0 $0 Other $705 $1,220 $1,930 9

10 Expense Allocation Program Expense $24,722 $28,310 $0 Administration Expense $0 $0 $4,741 Fundraising Expense $0 $0 $25,341 Payments to Affiliates $0 $0 $0 Total Revenue/Total Expenses Program Expense/Total Expenses 100% 100% 0% Fundraising Expense/Contributed Revenue 0% 0% 90% Assets and Liabilities Total Assets $3,236 $1,907 $1,827 Current Assets $3,236 $1,907 $1,827 Long-Term Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Current Liabilities $0 $0 $0 Total Net Assets $3,236 $1,907 $1,827 Short Term Solvency Current Ratio: Current Assets/Current Liabilities Long Term Solvency Long-Term Liabilities/Total Assets 0% 0% 0% Top Funding Sources Top Funding Source & Dollar Amount Contributions, Gifts, & Grants $23,090 Contributions, Gifts and Grants $27,170 Contributions, Gifts & Grants $28,161 Second Highest Funding Source & Dollar Program Revenue Other Revenue Other Revenue Amount $2,256 $1,220 $1,930 Third Highest Funding Source & Dollar Amount Other Revenue $ Capital Campaign Is the organization currently conducting a Capital Campaign for an endowment or the purchase of a major asset? No Capital Campaign Goal $0.00 State Charitable Solicitations Permit TN Charitable Solicitations Registration Yes - Expires June 2018 Organization Comments Funding a nonprofit is always challenging. We find creative ways to access resources by forming new collaborations allowing more people to become aware of what we do to ensure we are providing meaningful experiences for the contestant and our fans. One example is our Live Stream which we began with the 2015 competitions. We broadcast all performances over both days. We had over 800 viewers on-line. We also hosted over 1500 attendees in the Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum- our permanent home.our goal remains to keep fiddling relevant! Our success will be measured by our effectiveness in engaging the next generation to preserve fiddling. As I look back over the past forty-six years of contestants and championships, I see dramatic changes in both the age and gender of the contestants through the 10

11 mid-1980s we experienced a decline in the age of the contestants, and from 1990 through 2018 the average age of our contestants has continued to decline to under 22 years of age. From 1978 to 1990 we had only one woman to win the title of Grand Master Fiddler Champion. From 2005 to 2017, more than half (8 of 12) of the Open titles have been won by the girls, and they now account for almost half of all contestants in all three divisions. These real differences encourage more diversity and inclusion. We recognize this as meaningful and measurable progress!. We have a Youth division (15 and under) and a Traditional Division that are gaining in popularity and providing keen competition. We hope to be able to engage some of the country music stars that employ past winners of our competitions to help us grow. GivingMatters.com Financial Comments Since 2008, financial figures are taken from the was preparedby Nestor CPA Services, Inc. **In 2012, this organization filed a 990-N form with the IRS, which does not provide specific financial information. Most small tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less ($25,000 for tax years ending after December 31, 2007 and before December 31, 2010) are required to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the e-postcard, unless they choose to file a complete Form 990 or Form 990-EZ instead. Comments provided by Nicole Rose 07/31/2017. Created Copyright 2018 The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 11