I'm bringing this controversy into Mudcat in hopes of finding a little more support than I've been getting from fellos Folk Alliance members. For two years now the FarWest regional conference of North American Folk and Dance Alliance has restricted submissions for its showcases to SonicBids only.
I have two objections to this:
1.) There is a built-in bias against tradtional players, especially the "real deal" folks, many of whom who don't have highly developed comuter skills (or, in some caes, don't have computers to begin with!).
2.) It is an exclusive and monopolistic arrangement with a private firm. I'm a capitalist myself (horrors!), but the board's arbitrarily awarding what amounts to an exclusive contract without a bidding procedure just ain;t right.
I understand the submissions committee members are stressed and overworked. But anyone who works for the music is similarly stressed, not to mention underpaid.
Seems to me the FarWest gang has its priorities upside down. They should put ways to welcome singers and players (and dancers, it is, after all the Folk and DANCE Alliance) ahead of their own convenience. Their response has been they they're just too busy to tackle the job the old-fashioned way. My response to that is: Then maybe they shouldn't be the ones taking on the task.
A little harsh, maybe, but their attitude toward the cyber-disenfranchised is a bit harsh, too. Seems to me the pr0ocess has become more important than the poeple. That's bad enough in any world, but in "folk" music?
jack@wepecket.com
Wepecket Island Records