Folk critic gets his just desserts

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: musicmick
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 05:59 PM

Good question about target audience. Therein lies a conundrum. As a working folksinger, my audiences are the very young (schools, libraries, museums) and the very old (nursing homes, senior centers, retirement apartments). There is no appropriate area in these venues to sell CDs. In the summer, I play at municipal functions but, at these events, I am usually strolling and, once again, not in a position to sell my product. Except when I am booked at a festival or in concert at a synagogue, I dont have real opportunity to reach a buying public. I haven't played at folk clubs for years because the institutional jobs pay at least as much and they are much easier to get. I know that libraries are potential customers and, in fact, I have already received orders for a few CDs for their collection.
I suppose that I will sell CDs to students and friends. The Philadelphia Folk Festival will carry the CD so I will, at least, have a venue.
My big hassle, now, is telling my very talented friends that they will not be needed as backup or lead musicians.
I really appreciate everyone's suggestions and support. I'll keep you posted as I stumble up the mountain.

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: Alice
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 11:27 AM

Looking forward to hearing you.

Alice

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 07:29 AM

Go for it!

Hint from having reviewed several CDs-- have someone you trust review your tracklist/order before you finalize it. And, what is your target audience?

~S~

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 07:25 AM

Good luck. I believe there is no malice in you and you don't deserve any back.

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 04:09 AM

Well I hope it doesn't turn out to be a case of "the biter bit", and as Noreen says, Bon chance.
Giok

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 04:07 AM

And we'd all love to critique your efforts! Trust us, we're softies really...

Subject: RE: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 04:02 AM

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

Subject: Folk critic gets his just desserts
From: musicmick
Date: 27 Jun 03 - 12:48 AM

James Agee, the celebrated film critic for Time and The Nation in the 1940s and 50s, tried his hand at screenwriting and turned out such gems as "Night of the Hunter" and "The African Queen". After he had been awarded an Oscar, he returned to full time criticism secure in his bona fides. I do not classify myself as a creative peer with Agee.
He is my hero. Nonetheless, I am, in my own sphere, a commentator on art, my genre being recorded folk music. My opinions appear in a few publications and are reposted on Mudcat. I review three or four CDs every month, sitting in judgement of the endeavors of hundreds of artists and producers. How much, I wonder, do I empathize with these talaented hopefuls. I have set about to travel their path and stumble in their footfalls.
I am in the process of producing and marketing a CD of my very own. I have avoided this step because, having played on countless albums and CDs, I found the process tedious and slower than ketchup. But, I am determined to stay the course. I will, of course, be reporting my progress and setbacks in my column. If the CD sucks, at least I'll get some decent copy out of it. I hope to do an all traditional collection. As a long time champion of trad, I can hardly do less.
So, here I go into the merry world of humility and financial stress.
Light a candle for me.