Advice For Booking Folk Festivals

Subject: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Jayto
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 05:31 PM

Hello I am an old hand at playing in various music scenes. I worked for various labels in Nashville and have an extensive performance and recording background. I began music by playing folk music and love it dearly. Now though I am stumped. How would someone begin booking in the folk circuit? Any advice I would appreciate. I am a former Thumbpicking guitar champion and so is my brother that plays with me. I may be doing a festival with Arlo Guthrie coming up and I know that is a start but I need advice or contacts or something. I would appreciate any tips anyone could offer. No matter how much you know or who you know sometimes you get stumped lol. Thanks
JT

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Jayto
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 05:41 PM

Oh I was gonna add some of you may know my cousin Eddie Pennington. Eddie has taught at the Puget Sound Workshop several times. Eddie is 2 time national thumbstyle guitar champion and international thumbstyle champion. Eddie taught me and my brother when we were kids. He has taught 3 national champs Me, My Brother Joey Oglesby, and his son Alonzo Pennington. I noticed alot of references to PSGW and the northwest on here so I thought some of you may know him.
thanks
JT

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: greg stephens
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 05:57 PM

Have you got myspace or anywhere anyone can hear you?

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Mark Ross
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 07:14 PM

Got to meet Eddie last month at the National Folk Festival in Butte, Montana. Helluva nice guy and a helluva picker. If you're half the finger picker he is you shouldn't have any trouble. Just remember there is a big difference between playing music and performing. Having great chops isn't enough, you have to give the audience, 90% of whom can't tell the difference if your fingers are just moving fast or you are hitting all the right notes, a reason to want to hear you again. Playing as if you were getting paid by the note isn't enough. You have to make a statement, aurally, orally, and visually. Good luck. I've been doing this for 40 years and I've learned that there are literally, TENS OF DOLLARS to be made!

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Jayto
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 09:22 PM

I am about to put up a music page on myspace. We are getting things together right now. I will give you the address when I get it going.
Eddie is a super nice guy. Me and his son Alonzo did a gig together last night. I figured someone on here knew him. I love that tens of dollars to be made lol that is great. A friend of mine Pat Kirtley told me the other day I was insane for wanting to go more folk. He said "man there is no money in folk." lol I just want to do it though. I love folk music. To me it's about filling your soul not your pockets. Pockets are nice though lol

Subject: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Jayto
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 11:34 PM

I have already posted this once but something happened. To everyone that responded I apologize for posting again but it has vanished or at least I can't find it lol.

I am needing advice on how to book folk festivals. I have worked for Decca records and had alot of success in the alt country field but I am trying to get into the Folk circuit. I am a former National Thumbstyle Guitar Champion. My cousin Eddie Pennington taught me and I have branched out to many different fields. I am stumped though as to how to get started. Eddie is a 2 time National Champion and International champion for thumbstyle guitar. I started with folk music and love it. It seems at times no matter how much you've been around sometimes you get stumped. Well I am stumped lol. I may be doing a festival with Arlo Guthrie coming up and I know that is a start but I need advice. I have never really pushed myself and would like to learn from those that have. Thanks JT

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Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Aug 08 - 11:52 PM

Hi, Jayto -
One wonderful thing about folk music is house concerts. Most of the time, you get 100% of the gate plus all the CDs you can sell, and the host often gives you a place to stay for the night. The audiences are small and mostly appreciative. But it's all by word of mouth, with no agents to do the work for you.
It's a far more personal way of doing things.
Best of luck to you.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: curmudgeon
Date: 07 Aug 08 - 11:22 AM

Hi Jayto - One of the most im[portant things you need to do is to study the festivals and venues you apply to so as to make sure that your type of music "fits" with the program. It is very important to look at websites to learn about past and present performances.

I'm one of the people charged with getting performers for   the Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival. You wouldn't believe the kind of requests I've gotten -- clowns, comedians, rock bands, country-western, you name it. All good performers I'm sure, but most of them probably don't know a shanty from a love song, let alone which end of the concertina to pluck.

Do some homework, pay attention, and good luck - tom hall

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 12:45 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Tim Leaning
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 04:49 PM

Hey when you get the My Space sorted out will you put a link on here please would love to come have a listen.

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: Marion
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 05:04 PM

Hi Jayto. You might find some useful info in this older thread:

Booking folk gigs: some suggestions

Good luck, Marion

Subject: RE: Advice For Booking Folk Festivals
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Aug 08 - 05:59 PM

Good luck Jayto!

Each festival has its own personality and style. You might want to check out the Folk Alliance or at least a regional conference that is near you. You will get some great contacts by networking, and your peers always share tips and answer questions. It is a wonderful experience - depending on the kind of music you wish to present and if you keep an open mind. Don't expect to book an entire festival or season, but look at it like window shopping. You will come away with great ideas!