The Southeastern Bluegrass Association, Inc.
Copyright 2023, all rights reserved.
Address all inquiries to the P.O. Box,
or email the appropriate member of the Board of Directors.
Mission Statement
The Southeastern Bluegrass Association (SEBA) is a nonprofit organization consisting of members, fans, bands, promoters, businesses, vendors, musicians, and friends of Bluegrass Music working together to reach a common goal: the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Music, bringing it to the community through performers, instructors, jam sessions, venues and events, and providing information to all through our publications, the SEBA Breakdown and the SEBA website.
We welcome your input, comments, concerns, suggestions and feedback.
Please send a note to us at: info@sebabluegrass.org
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Give a SEBA Gift Membership
Giving a SEBA Gift membership is simple. There are slight differences in the steps, depending on whether you have a SEBA website account or not.
If You Have an Existing SEBA Website Account:
If You Do NOT have an Existing SEBA website Account:
Repeat steps 1-3 from the above “Existing Website Account” instructions.
Do I have to be a SEBA member to give a SEBA Gift Membership?
No! Anyone can purchase a SEBA Gift Membership. And there is no limit to the number of gift memberships you can give.
What if the gift recipient never claims the gift or claims it months after receiving it?
SEBA Gift Memberships are similar to gift cards with expiration dates. The recipient’s membership term starts on the date it was purchased by the gift-giver — not on the date the gift-recipient claims the gift and creates his/her website account — and it extends for 12 months.
How will I know if the recipient of my gift membership has claimed the gift?
Once you have purchased a Gift Membership, a tab will be added to your Account page from which you can view the status of all gifts you have purchased. Here’s an example of what that might look like:
Note that there is a link in the “Status” column for “Send Gift Email”. When you first purchased the gift membership, you would have sent such an email to the recipient. That email contains a link that allows the gift recipient to claim the gift and begin his or her membership. If you see that your gift recipient hasn’t claimed the gift after a period of time, you can resend that gift email as many times as you want from this screen.
If I purchase a gift membership for someone, will I continue to pay for that membership every year?
No! SEBA Gift Memberships are not the gift that keeps on giving. Once the gift membership expires, it will be up to the gift recipient to renew.
Why is my membership expiring so soon after my registration date?
If you receive an email notification that your annual SEBA membership either has expired or will expire soon, you may notice that your expiration date less than 12 months from your registration date (i.e., the date your membership was created), and you may wonder why.
The answer is that your registration date is not the same as the start date of your current or recent membership term. If your membership was imported into our new system in 2023, the date you were imported will show up as your registration date.
Know also that if you were one of those active SEBA members who was imported into the new system, we extended your membership term by six (6) months.
So, the bottom line is that you can rest assured that your membership term is not being cut short by any means.
If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us..
Can I buy and sell instrument to or through other members in SEBA?
Nope. SEBA is not set up to facilitate instrument purchase, sale, or trade. This is kind of prohibited by our Non-Profit status.
However, as you go to Chapter Meetings and Jams and talk with your fellow musicians,
you may find opportunities to get that perfect instrument that you have been looking for…..
Do I need to live in the South Eastern United States to join SEBA?
No. While SEBA is focused on the South Eastern states, we are a part of the nation-wide (world-wide) Bluegrass Community and are open to all for Membership regardless of where you reside.
However, if you live in a land Far, Far Away, it may be difficult to make it to the Chapter Meetings. You could, of course, start a new SEBA Chapter in your neighborhood! See the FAQ on starting new Chapters…
Where can I find Bluegrass learning lessons for each Instrument?
We intend to make a Directory of Instructors in our Bluegrass Community to cover all aspects of our Music.
Hasn’t happened yet, but the intention is there.
Meanwhile, YouTube can be your Friend!
Where can I find Jamming locations?
See the Breakdown for a list of Regularly Scheduled Jams.
The Live & Pickin’ Page lists Jams and Events around the area.
Some of these Jams are Official SEBA Jams but most are not. That’s OK. We want to connect you to Bluegrass Music opportunities, whether they are associated with SEBA or not. It’s all about the Music!
The Breakdown also gives information on some Old-Time Music gatherings and also Pickin Places at Farmer’s Markets and other such interesting places.
Acoustic or Amplified?
SEBA Bluegrass Jams are all acoustic music.
Electric amplified instruments are not allowed except perhaps sometimes an electric bass may be permitted, but only if there is no acoustic bass available.
Acoustic string instruments only. No amplifiers (except bass if acoustic is not available). Horns, bagpipes, tubas, percussion, drums, tambourines, Spoons, and other noisemakers are prohibited.
Are there campgrounds that have regularly scheduled Bluegrass jams or annual festivals?
Oh, yes! Some of them have even been hosting Bluegrass events for 50 years or more!
Some of the best Jammin’ is done under the stars, late night at these campground events.
See the Links Page for Campground Festivals.
What instruments are good for a SEBA Jam?
Expect to see the standard Bluegrass instruments: guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, and bass. Sometimes a harmonica may show up at a jam. Other instruments may occasionally show up as novelties. Drums, Bagpipes, Spoons, tambourines and other noise makers are definitely discouraged at SEBA Jams!
Where do we meet?
Each SEBA Chapter holds a monthly meeting which starts with a short business meeting then moves right into a fine Bluegrass Jam. See the Chapters Page.
See the Breakdown for a list of Regularly Scheduled Jams.
The Live & Pickin’ Page lists Jams and Events around the area.
Some of these Jams are Official SEBA Jams but most are not. That’s OK. We want to connect you to Bluegrass Music opportunities, whether they are associated with SEBA or not. It’s all about the Music! The Breakdown also gives information on some Old-Time Music gatherings and also Pickin Places at Farmer’s Markets and other such interesting places.
What kind of Music do we play?
Well, Bluegrass, of course! Sometimes other music will slip in a little like Gospel, Old-Time, Folk, Country, Blues, Irish, and sometimes the Beatles even show up!
What are the requirements for starting a new SEBA Jam or converting an existing Jam into a SEBA Jam?
All Pickers and Singers are welcome regardless of their Musical/Experience level.
Everyone who meets these requirements is welcome.
Beginners are encouraged and taught by the more experienced.
Acoustic string instruments only. No amplifiers (except bass if acoustic is not available). Horns, percussion, drums, Spoons, tambourines, and other noisemakers are prohibited.
Mostly traditional Bluegrass music, with a little room for other genres if it doesn’t get out of hand or offensive.
Physical requirements:
- Covered space for bad weather. Inside is good but not required.
- Public Space, Not in Private Home.
- Must have His and Hers public restrooms.
- Adequate public parking.
- Accessible to everyone.
Can I list my Festival in your Breakdown Newsletter?
Yes, please. You can list your Bluegrass Festivals and your Bluegrass Jams in the website’s Live & Pickin Page. Events from there will make their way into the Breakdown.
How can I start a new SEBA Jam or convert an existing Jam into a SEBA Jam?
Contact our Jams Committee for all the details. The first requirement is your desire to help build our Bluegrass community!
What are SEBA officers and directors paid?
They are paid with the great satisfaction of contributing to the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Music, bringing it to the community through performers, instructors, jam sessions, venues and events, and providing information to all through our publications, the SEBA Breakdown and the SEBA website.
How would I go about becoming an officer of SEBA?
Talk with any SEBA Board Member to discuss opportunities. Good things can happen!
Contact information for the Directors and Officers is found under the About link in the Main Menu.
Do you have handouts I can give to potential members?
Yes, there is a page in each Breakdown designed specifically for this. We expect to have that handout available directly from this website, soon, too.
What happened to the SEBA FAMILY MEMBERSHIP?
Yes, alas, the SEBA Family Membership option has gone away. Let us explain…
Although the SEBA Family Membership option was once popular, very few members have chosen it in recent years. At last count, only seven of our members are enrolled in this “family plan”, and of those, only two took advantage of having multiple family members receive email copies of the Breakdown.
When we did the math, we saw that fewer than 10% of our members found the Family Membership attractive, and over 70% of those who did ended up paying 20% more than the cost of the Regular (“Personal”) membership without any additional benefits.
For these reasons — and in the interest of keeping things simple as we developed our new and vastly improved SEBA website — we decided, after considerable thought, to retire the Family Membership option.
But don’t despair! We’re taking care of everyone.
First of all, with the cutover to the new website, every current member will have his/her membership extended six (6) months past his or her official expiration date.
In addition, we are giving FREE Personal Memberships to all individuals who were added to Family Memberships that are still active. These free Personal Memberships will extend to coincide with the terms of their “parent” memberships.
Here’s an example:
Suppose you have an active Family Membership whose term started on April 1, 2022 and officially ends on March 31, 2023. Further suppose that you had added two children, Jean and Pat, to your Family Membership. In this scenario, your membership will extend to September 30, 2023, and both Jean and Pat will have FREE Personal Memberships that also extend to September 30, 2023.
Thank you for your understanding.
Where can I buy SEBA T- Shirts, Hats, picks, or other Paraphernalia?
Nowhere, right now.
Several years ago we had SEBA merchandise for sale and that worked out pretty good.
Not likely that this will happen again. This is kind of prohibited by our Non-Profit status.
Where can I find Bluegrass learning lessons for each Instrument?
We intend to make a Directory of Instructors in our Bluegrass Community to cover all aspects of our Music.
Hasn’t happened yet, but the intention is there.
Meanwhile, YouTube can be your Friend!
Do you have a recommended list of stores to buy good Bluegrass Instruments?
Nope, SEBA does not officially endorse any Music Store. This is kind of prohibited by our Non-Profit status.
However, look over the Links Page where you can find information on stores
that focus on providing or making good Bluegrass instruments.
Are you searching for a new instrument? Enjoy the journey!
Can I buy and sell instrument to or through other members in SEBA?
Nope. SEBA is not set up to facilitate instrument purchase, sale, or trade. This is kind of prohibited by our Non-Profit status.
However, as you go to Chapter Meetings and Jams and talk with your fellow musicians,
you may find opportunities to get that perfect instrument that you have been looking for…..
What is the easiest way to sign up as a new member? On-line or Email?
You can sign up online right here on this website, here.
Payment can be through PayPal or Check.
What are the requirements to qualify as a Business Bluegrass Band?
If you consider your Band to be a Bluegrass band, that’s probably enough to qualify.
Head on over to the Sign-Up Page to create a Business Membership for your Band.
How old do I have to be to join?
There is no age limit for SEBA Membership on either end of the age spectrum. However, if you are too young to hold a pen to fill out the Membership Application, you might want to seek adult assistance….
Do you have handouts I can give to potential members?
Yes, there is a page in each Breakdown designed specifically for this. We expect to have that handout available directly from this website, soon, too.
How often do you put on a SEBA Festival? Where?
SEBA has promoted and supported Festivals in Stone Mountain GA, Norcross Georgia, and other places in the past.
No new Festivals are being planned at this time.
Are there campgrounds that have regularly scheduled Bluegrass jams or annual festivals?
Oh, yes! Some of them have even been hosting Bluegrass events for 50 years or more!
Some of the best Jammin’ is done under the stars, late night at these campground events.
See the Links Page for Campground Festivals.
Are music stands and song books OK at a SEBA Jam?
Sure.
If you can do your Music without music stands and books, that’s great! But if you need them for the Music to work for you, that’s OK, too.
What are the requirements for starting a new SEBA Jam or converting an existing Jam into a SEBA Jam?
All Pickers and Singers are welcome regardless of their Musical/Experience level.
Everyone who meets these requirements is welcome.
Beginners are encouraged and taught by the more experienced.
Acoustic string instruments only. No amplifiers (except bass if acoustic is not available). Horns, percussion, drums, tambourines, and other noisemakers are prohibited.
Mostly traditional Bluegrass music, with a little room for other genres if it doesn’t get out of hand or offensive.
Physical requirements:
- Covered space for bad weather. Inside is good but not required.
- His and Hers public restrooms.
- Adequate public parking.
- Accessible to everyone.
How can I start a new SEBA Jam or convert an existing Jam into a SEBA Jam?
Contact our Jams Committee for all the details. The first requirement is your desire to help build our Bluegrass community!
Do you participate with SPBGMA or other Bluegrass Organizations?
NO, not particularly. We link to websites for SPBGMA and other fine Bluegrass Organizations and sometimes mention their events in the Breakdown but we have no official reciprocal agreements.
Can I list my Festival in your Breakdown Newsletter?
Yes, please. You can list your Bluegrass Festivals and your Bluegrass Jams in the website’s Live & Pickin Page. Events from there will make their way into the Breakdown.
Benefits of SEBA Membership
The benefits of Membership in SEBA are many. More than will fit in this FAQ
Look here, please: Benefits of SEBA Membership
Acoustic or Amplified?
SEBA Bluegrass Jams are all acoustic music.
Electric amplified instruments are not allowed except perhaps sometimes an electric bass may be permitted, but only if there is no acoustic bass available.
Acoustic string instruments only. No amplifiers (except bass if acoustic is not available). Horns, bagpipes, tubas, percussion, drums, tambourines, and other noisemakers are prohibited.
Where do we meet?
Each SEBA Chapter holds a monthly meeting which starts with a short business meeting then moves right into a fine Bluegrass Jam. See the Chapters Page.
See the Breakdown for a list of Regularly Scheduled Jams.
The Live & Pickin’ Page lists Jams and Events around the area.
Some of these Jams are Official SEBA Jams but most are not. That’s OK. We want to connect you to Bluegrass Music opportunities, whether they are associated with SEBA or not. It’s all about the Music! The Breakdown also gives information on some Old-Time Music gatherings and also Pickin Places at Farmer’s Markets and other such places.
Where can I find Jamming locations?
See the Breakdown for a list of Regularly Scheduled Jams.
The Live & Pickin’ Page lists Jams and Events around the area.
Some of these Jams are Official SEBA Jams but most are not. That’s OK. We want to connect you to Bluegrass Music opportunities, whether they are associated with SEBA or not. It’s all about the Music!
The Breakdown also gives information on some Old-Time Music gatherings and also Pickin Places at Farmer’s Markets and other such places.
What kind of Music do we play?
Well, Bluegrass, of course! Sometimes other music will slip in a little like Gospel, Old-Time, Folk, Country, Blues, Irish, and sometimes the Beatles even show up!
Do I have to be a SEBA Member to attend a Jam?
No, of course not. All are welcome at SEBA Jams regardless of their Musical/Experience level. These are open acoustic Bluegrass Jams for pickers, singers, and audience of all levels. Everyone is welcome regardless of your skill in picking, skill in singing, or skill in audiencing….
You may be offered an opportunity to join SEBA, but that is not a requirement for participating in a SEBA Jam either as a musician or audience….
What instruments are good for a SEBA Jam?
Expect to see the standard Bluegrass instruments: guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dobro, and bass. Sometimes a harmonica may show up at a jam. Other instruments may occasionally show up as novelties. Bagpipes and tambourines are definitely discouraged at SEBA Jams!
How would I go about becoming an officer of SEBA?
Talk with any SEBA Board Member to discuss opportunities. Good things can happen!
Contact information for the Directors and Officers is found under the About link in the Main Menu.
Do I need to live in the South Eastern United States to join SEBA?
No. While SEBA is focused on the South Eastern states, we are a part of the nation-wide (world-wide) Bluegrass Community and are open to all for Membership regardless of where you reside.
However, if you live in a land Far, Far Away, it may be difficult to make it to the Chapter Meetings. You could, of course, start a new SEBA Chapter in your neighborhood! See any Breakdown issue for information on starting new Chapters…
What are SEBA officers and directors paid?
They are paid with the great satisfaction of contributing to the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Music, bringing it to the community through performers, instructors, jam sessions, venues and events, and providing information to all through our publications, the SEBA Breakdown and the SEBA website.
Does SEBA support any Charitable Organizations or Causes
Yes, See Breakdown Newsletters that report on our Annual Meetings to see which organizations are supported.
Are SEBA board meetings open to the public?
No, but significant decisions made in the Board Meetings will be reported in the Breakdown.
About SEBA Additional FAQs
This list of Frequently Asked Questions is presented to bring you information about SEBA, its activities, and everything else about SEBA.
Want to contribute to this list by suggesting a new Question or by suggesting better words for an Answer?
Send a note to: info@sebabluegrass.org
Your assistance, good will, and knowledge will be appreciated.
SEBA’s Mission Statement
The Southeastern Bluegrass Association (SEBA) is a nonprofit organization consisting of members,
fans, bands, promoters, businesses, vendors, musicians, and friends of Bluegrass Music
working together to reach a common goal: the preservation and promotion of Bluegrass Music,
bringing it to the community through performers, instructors, jam sessions, venues and events,
and providing information to all through our publications, the SEBA Breakdown and the SEBA website.
How should I prepare artwork for in-page ads?
We are currently exploring how to include advertisements in the WebSite.
Stay tuned…..
Tell me more about Business Memberships
Business Memberships are for Bands, Promotors, and more.
Details for Business Memberships and differences with Personal Memberships are shown on the Sign-Up Page.
Can I have both a Personal and a Business account?
Yes, but you must register separately — with unique email addresses — for each.
Head on over to the Sign-Up Page to create a Personal and Business Membership for yourself.
What is a Profile Page?
Profile Page
Your Profile Page displays the information in your Membership Account. You enter this information when you Join SEBA and can update it whenever you like. Details for Business Memberships and differences with Personal Memberships are shown on the Join SEBA Page.
For about including Video, Social Network Links, and listing of Band/Team Members is shown there.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept:
- Online Payment with credit card via PayPal – Preferred
Your membership will be activated as soon as you complete your registration and payment. Your membership auto-renews as long as you don’t cancel before the renewal date and your credit card is still valid. - Pay by check
Your membership will be active as soon as we manually update your account after receiving your payment. Make checks payable to Southeastern Bluegrass Association and send to: SEBA, PO Box 7286, Marietta, GA 30065 Please be patient and allow 5-10 business days for your account to be updated; we’re an all-volunteer outfit, and we spend a lot more time pickin’ than sitting in front of computers! - Cash
We also accept cash payments at SEBA events.
If I pay by credit card, will my membership auto-renew?
All SEBA memberships are annual, auto-renewing memberships. However, you can cancel your membership at any time before the next billing date, and your membership will not auto-renew.
Example:
Suppose your current membership started on Jun 14, 2023 and your next billing date is June 14, 2024. If you cancel any time before June 14, 2024, your membership will remain in force up until June 15, 2024. (Your membership will not be cancelled when you initiate the cancellation.)
Please note that you will receive email reminders one month before your auto-renew date and again one week before your next billing date.
Alto note that if you wanted to cancel your membership but neglected to do so for whatever reason, simply contact us within 30 days after your membership renewed, and we will refund your membership fee.
How to cancel?
Simply go to the Subscriptions tab of your Account dashboard and click the Cancel link.
“What if I paid by check or cash?”
If you paid your subscription by check or cash, you will still receive email reminder about your next billing date. We will manually renew your subscription upon receipt of your check.
