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Welcome to the International Musical Sawplayers Association website. Established in California in 1994, we publish the sawplayer's newsletter and also present the annual "Saw Player's Picnic and Music Festival" on the 2nd Sunday in August at Roaring Camp in Felton, California - www.roaringcamp.com
Charlie Blacklock, master sawyer and founder of this saw association passed away April 17th, 2008 after being admitted to Alameda Hospital earlier in the day. He'd been in a care facility for a few years and while his strength was low his spirits were always high. He leaves three sons and many granchildren and great grandchildren and joins his wife Viola. If your computer's not blocking it, you should be hearing Hajime Sakita playing his composition for Viola Blacklock.
Mark your calendars for the 2010 festival, our 33rd annual - Saturday and Sunday, August 7th & 8th
Referring to the photos below: The 1st photo is a picture of the Tom Scribner statue produced by artist Marghie McMahon, and permanently installed in Downtown Santa Cruz, California. Tom was the saw-playing lumberjack that the original "Festival of the Saws" was organized around in 1978 - he was a beloved and extremely talented sawyer. The 2nd picture is a photo of Tom himself. The 3rd picture is of Charlie Blacklock; legendary sawyer whose musical saws are sold world wide. Charlie organized the California Saw Players Association (which evolved into the International Musical Saw Association in 2003). Charlie is also featured in the "National Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame.” The 4th photo changes as we feature different members, and this time it is of Haris Gershom, from India, who graced our stage in 2003 and again in 2006. Haris designed his Harishophone (note the steel blade), and has developed techniques that use the healing powers of music, incorporating the musical saw.
