Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010

Subject: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 10:06 PM

Any Mudcatters going to FA? PM me and let's try for a Mudgathering in Memphis.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 10:16 PM

I see the Folk Alliance Conference is February 17-21, 2010, in Memphis, TN. I've always thought it would be fun to go, but that's as close as I ever got to going. Looks like it costs $425 for non-members to attend.


-Joe-

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 11:09 PM

You're right, Joe, because its now less than two weeks till the conference. However for Folk Alliance members (annual dues approx. $70) who registered several months ago at the early-bird rate, it was $250. Plus, of course, travel from wherever one is to Memphis, lodging either at the conference hotel or elsewhere (this cost shrinks exponentially via roommates/room-sharing), and meals. It is absolutely worth it - a most amazing experience.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: DebC
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 10:13 AM

I'll be there with my AFM Local 1000 hat on. I'll also be in Andy Cohen's Traditional showcase at 2 PM on Saturday afternoon.

But I'll be at the Local 1000 booth in the exhibit hall and also in our Showcase-Free Zone (room to be determined).

I do hope to meet you Mary Katherine.

Best,
Debra

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: GUEST,bankleu
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 05:59 PM

have fun, it's a great get together, I've found from my past experiences
haven't been to Memphis yet... maybe next year

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:04 PM

I wish I could be there. I can't afford it :(

The Folk Alliance is an eye-opening experience. I recommend it for all. I'm so glad Andy and the traditional showcases are continuing. For too long the knock on Folk Alliance is that there wasn't enough trad music, but the Folk Alliance is what the members make of it - and without participation, there is no presence.

I can't wait to hear the reports!!

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance?
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 09:54 PM

Ron, there's a lot of traditional music this year, including the newly-established Mike Seeger Scholarship Award specifically for the purpose of bringing traditional artists to participate in FA. Andy Cohen has come up with quite a lot of good stuff. If I had a laptop (which is not the same as If I Had a Hammer) I would post regular updates, but I don't - someone will, I'm sure, and I'll put some words and photos on my web site when I get home, though that won't be for some time afterward as I am going other places after FA.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: maeve
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 02:11 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: open mike
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 02:18 PM

oops sorry-i started another thread--please combine..

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: maeve
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 09:25 AM

Great minds, Laurel.

I've never been, but it sounds like quite a time.

maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: bankley
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 10:03 AM

I been a couple of times in showcases... Cleveland and Montreal... saturation time

someone here once said "If you don't expect to get a gig or get laid, then you'll have a great time"

have fun... maybe next year again for me

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: open mike
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 03:07 PM

This is a great gathering....here is another thread i posted..with links http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=127191&messages=2

just looking at the list of showcase artists shows that there is an amazing number of musicians out there...good luck to all of them!!

here is the my space page for them
http://www.myspace.com/thefolkalliance
and the face book page
http://www.facebook.com/folkalliance

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 04:00 PM

Not going this year. Go to the Rendezvous restuarant for the BBQ ribs.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: DebC
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 07:45 PM

"someone here once said "If you don't expect to get a gig or get laid, then you'll have a great time"

I seem to recall that might have been our dear departed friend, Rick Fielding. Whoever said it, they might be on to something.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: Fortunato
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 09:44 AM

I think my friend Rick may have accidentally described the general condition of the folk/old time musician, while commenting specifically on this gathering...


chance

(to whom all such kindness come as a surprise)

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: sian, west wales
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:08 PM

I've got two going over representing trac Keep an eye out for Dan KilBride and Blanche Rowen and say hello.

sian

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: agingcynic
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 07:45 AM

as something of a newcomer to the folk world, it has sometimes been suggested to me to attend this conference, especially for the purpose of meeting venue owners and presenters who don't book people they haven't met. it is therefore interesting to see the advice given above regarding the likelihood of getting gigs as a result of visiting the conference.

adding up the expenses -- $70 to join the alliance, $250 for early-bird conference rate, $200 for airfair (or more), $150 for lodging (if one can get a very good deal), that much again (at least) for food, drink, etc. -- the lowly folkie is out a bit over $800 in the best of circumstances.

wondering this: if you don't get a gig (and/or romance) what do you get for this substantial sum?

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: maeve
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:16 AM

Some good answers to your question are here , agingcynic. As in any business conference, a person may not find gigs tumbling freely into his/her hands; one seeks to build business relationships for future opportunities.

maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: RTim
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:33 AM

I have just read on the Ballad-L list that Andy Cohen, for his 2 Traditional Rooms he is running at the conference, has introduced the -50 Year Rule.
That is, anything sung HAS to be at least 50 years old.
Now that is a topic for conversation!

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:20 AM

I think Maeve said it best. It is all about building relationships and laying groundwork for the future. Anyone who attends for the purpose of getting gigs will not have a good experience. This is an "industry" conference, and like any industry - it is about planning and building. The showcases give an opportunity to see where the music is going. Folk music is truly a living tradition and it needs nuturing. There are wonderful workshops and peer sessions where ideas are shared and seeds planted.

If you are looking for gigs, save your money and go to APAP or some other performer showcase - that is not what Folk Alliance is all about.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: JedMarum
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 09:49 AM

Wishing y'all the best. I'd be there if I could.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: DebC
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:27 PM

To be honest, I never know what to think about Folk Alliance. On the one hand, I have made some fantastic connections with people and on the other I get very frustrated with the private showcase situation. So much so, that I decided this year not to do any private showcases at all. I got very tired of dropping a lot of money (yes, you have to pay for slots in the private showcases in addition to all the other expenses) and singing for a turned-up bed and the dude who sleeps in the room. No more.

My hat is totally off to Andy Cohen for single-handedly (and in his own wonderful curmudgeonly way) has been able to bring the traditional songs and tunes of the English speaking world back to FA.

I love the old songs and I had been dismayed year after year to find that as the years rolled on, trad had been left out more and more.

At FA 2007 I asked one of the FA Board members, Why is there no official Traditional Showcase or Traditional Peer Group [that year]? There had been both of these things in the past, yet it seemed to have slipped the minds of the Powers That Be to include these in the 2006 convention. He wasn't aware that these two events had been omitted.

I did not attend the convention in 2008, but in 2009 Andy got together Folk University, an all-day group of sessions focusing on Traditional music of the English speaking world. It was FANTASTIC. But, it was held on Wednesday, the day before the official start of the conference. It's really sad, because there were some amazing musicians and demonstrations that took place. The highlight for me was Tracy Schwartz and Ginny Hawker being recorded on wax cylindar.

Have I gotten gigs from FA? Maybe, but certainly not directly. But if it weren't for FA 2002, I would not have met Nancy Jean Ballard who told me about the Flanders Collection. If it hadn't been for FA 2006, I wouldn't have met Andrew Calhoun who shares my love of traditional ballads. And if it hadn't been for last year's FA, I wouldn't have connected with a couple of guitar players with whom I am working with on various tours.

I have always told folks, FA is what you make it. It's worth going to establish the connections, but then it's also a lot of work to keep those connections alive throughout the rest of the year.

I now go to FA with my AFM Local 1000 hat on and I prefer to go to FA to promote something I believe in rather than myself, tho I'll probably do a wee bit of that as well.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: JedMarum
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 10:37 PM

I understand the networking and trade show or industry conference aspect of FA. I liked the people I met very much and did make a relationship or two that I've kept since - but after a couple years of involvement and follow up, I found it just wasn't offering me anything and I had no opportunity to contribute.

I could see its benefit for the young folks looking to break into the world of songwriting. FA did offer some chance for them be seen, and provided some good business workshops. But it just didn't work for me. I hold out hope that it will evolve some because I think it's good idea. So I keep an eye on the events and talk to folks who participate. I'd jump back in, if I could offer something or benefit somehow.

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: agingcynic
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 07:55 AM

thanks for the link, maeve. very helpful.

i know we should think of folk music as a business, even an industry, and these conferences seem to be part of the cost of doing business. yet the cost can be somewhat daunting

ron olesko's poihnt about not planning on getting gigs seems to be on target. have been in touch with a guy who apparently went to ten conferences or so before any gigs came along. at eight hundred or so a conferences, that's a pretty steep buy-in, at least in these hard times. in the back of my head i'm hearing 'if you ain't got the do-re-mi'

would be interesting to know if many performers have been able to get along without attending these events.

on a more positive note, folk radio seems quite open to new performers, including those without any name recognition. ron olesko and his colleague bill hahn are great examples of people for whom the song is what really matters

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: maeve
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 08:18 AM

You're welcome, agingcynic.

You know; even when I was attending professional conferences in the fields of education and library science it was the people I met there- not usually the presentations- that led to interesting and helpful connections. I reckon there are bound to be things I could learn at the Folk Alliance do; but then I'm nowhere near as accomplished as Jed or others who have been making a living with music.

maeve

Subject: RE: Anyone going to Folk Alliance? Feb 17-21 2010
From: agingcynic
Date: 19 Feb 10 - 06:46 AM

perhaps the regional conferences are a bit cheaper

maybe next year