Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE

Subject: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 14 Oct 09 - 02:02 PM

The local newspaper let me down and failed to give us any coverage (other than a bare bones listing) for an upcoming concert, so I'm trying to spread the word through non-print media. Please tell others who may be interested.

Friday, Oct 16 is the debacle known as Banjo 101 in Branford, CT at the 1st Congregational Church hall, 1009 Main Street beginning at 8! And it's FREE, sponsored by the Musical Art Society of Branford.

Roger Sprung (bluegrass) - the legendary one recently honored in Owensboro, KY as a pioneer of bluegrass
Joel Schiavone (Dixieland) - member of Oklahoma's National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame
Kevin Fontaine (Celtic) - member of the MA band BlackSheep
Frank Shaw (old-time) - you know this guy!

The newspapers wonder why they're going out of business, one missed opportunity at a time. I hope to show them that we can communicate in the 21st century despite their omissions!

Here's what I said to them in an email:

Musical Art Society is a non-profit cultural arts group of volunteers struggling to present free concerts in the community since 1920, and depend on the local newspaper (now only ONE) to publicize our events. We do have email lists and spread a few posters around, but your paper is our primary means to get the word out. Our Banjo 101 concert includes a resident of Branford (Frank Shaw) and a resident of Guilford (Joel Schiavone) plus two (Kevin Fontaine and Roger Sprung) who are traveling quite a distance for this event. Many local people would be interested in knowing at least who is in the program.

Community events like this which enhance the quality of life and support current and future artists are surely the type of thing your paper should support. ...I sent you a full press release with biographies of the 4 musicians, background about Musical Art Society and 4 hi-res photos. All we got was Banjo 101: 8 p.m. First Congregational Church Pilgrim Hall,1009 Main St., Branford. Free. For info, call 203....

...Did the information arrive too late? I noticed white space in today's edition. Are you not that interested in cultural events and recommend that we publicize our events elsewhere either online or in non-print media outlets?

Hopefully we'll get an audience for this concert, despite lack of publicity.

(Meeting of Banjo Wife Support Group immediately following concert...)

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Oct 09 - 03:08 PM

I hope you get a good turn out Barbara ! Sorry I wont make it - Is The Atlantic a good enough excuse ?

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 14 Oct 09 - 03:52 PM

You're off the ..er..hook, Leadfingers, but thanks for the thought!

I'm hoping we can show that "we don't need no stinkin' newspaper..."

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Ernest
Date: 14 Oct 09 - 05:14 PM

Newspapers? Aren`t those these devices which you use to wrap fish in...?

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 15 Oct 09 - 12:14 PM

...and today's paper, the local insert of the daily paper which comes out weekly, also failed to carry a trace of the announcement!

With all the cool I could muster, I called the editor and sweetly inquired as to what I had done wrong in submitting the press release. "Oh, nothing, we screwed up. Sorry."

So now I'm sending out email blasts to everyone I can think of and biding my time.

If the concert is sparsely attended (which I expect, the public doesn't even know about it!) I intend to write letters to the editors of these newspapers and explain in babytalk why they are all going out of business, one screw up at a time. In fact, if the concert is well-attended, I intend to write the same letter and explain how we managed without their help!

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 02:42 PM

The concert had A FULL HOUSE! I'm in the process of writing a letter to the editors of all those newspapers...

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Rasener
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 02:49 PM

Good on yer Barbara. I am having the same sort of issue with my local newspaper and just like you I have had a go at them. They have jumped a bit, but if they can't support the local endevours then we we are like a paddle......

I think they forget that they need to support the local community.

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:57 PM

Local papers get their income from advertising. The news is incidental, I'm afraid!

Best wishes,

Peter

Subject: RE: Banjo 101 Branford, CT Oct 16, 2009 FREE
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 06:30 PM

But if people cancel their subscriptions and don't read the paper, the advertisers will also leave. Here's an enlightened mission statement I found from a paper in Washington state, as I'm writing up my letter to the editors about what they SHOULD be doing:

Mission Statement of ISSAQUAH PRESS INC.
OBJECTIVE

To produce economically sound newspapers that add to the identity and pride of the communities they serve, record the history of the town and its people, and make a difference in the quality of life for the residents and merchants. Issaquah Press Inc. is dedicated to the belief that a strong community newspaper is essential to a strong community.

MEANS

By promoting readership of the community's current events and issues, thereby fostering better citizenship. By promoting readership of local advertising, thereby fostering a healthy economic environment.

By providing a news publication that adheres to high ethical and professional standards and focuses primarily on those events occurring within the circulation area of the newspaper. News will be objective, well written, well edited, sensitive, enlightening, challenging and useful. The newspapers will also act as a community forum for opinion, and will give high priority to celebrating the achievements of its readers.

By providing total market coverage of the newspapers to enable the local businesses to reach the buying public, and by making the newspaper available at highly accessible newsstands throughout the circulation area.

By providing advertisers with a high-readership product, good service, creative advertising layouts, quality printing, and advertising opportunities that generate high return on the investment.

By providing web sites that provide news archives and community resources.

By creating a challenging workplace for employees who are interested in growing in experience and professional skills. That workplace will foster good co-worker relations, will recognize outstanding contributions by employees and will encourage all to participate in creating news products that are a source of pride to the community and the company.

By encouraging community service among employees, recognizing that the more they are involved with the community, the better they will be able to understand and serve it.