This is getting the cart waaaay BEFORE the horse. What needs considering is the future of folk music DURING covid!

This was a large part of discussion at a folk society board meeting where our president Charlie Mosbrook, who is not the "older" generation, (but still with decades of experience behind him) was blunt about folks whose income comes from their music are going to have to learn how to promote themselves online, or fall to the wayside. In trying to find ways of supporting locals and get some sort of concert series going, the depth of detail folks face is daunting, and figuring out/learning the technical "stuff" is going to be a steep learning curve and financial stressor for many.

This isn' t going to be "over" till a vaccine is availiable, on the scale of the polio vaccination program, so a year, year and a half? In the not even 3 months since lockdown here, the blossoming of online performances, singing sessions, distance collaborations is awesome! Finding creative solutions for passing on the music is the key to survival. I have seen & heard a wider range of performances in the last 2 months than I would in half a year, introduced to performers & traditions completely new, and strengthened existing connections.

This is building a foundation for "after" This is embracing community and enlarging it.
The folk who do this for love, and do not have to make an income from it, they're not going to stop. Zooming a lullaby to your grandchild may be a new tradition: one of many that will evolve during this transition from 2019's reality to the post-vaccine world we pray for.

Joanne in Cleveland, still trying to improve her Zoom sound...