Folk Performers Association

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 11:58 AM

You can for free

Advertise yourself and what you do.Gigs, tours, new videos,U tube recordings,publications.
Promote your Folk Club ,events,festivals etc.
It is your page , not mine,I just delete out of date information.
I have recently moved and sadly I have not had time to do random Folk advertising but the panic jobs are nearing an end.

To get yourself listed as a performer then I suggest you join Alan Morley site but I believe that there is now a fee to join.

Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Fidjit
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 10:24 AM

Thanks Big Al.

All sing now, "I am a Union man"

Chas

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 10:09 AM

they don't get minor than me, Fidg old pal. Ask not what your FPA can do for you....

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Fidjit
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 09:57 AM

On board, but will it help me as a minor performer ??

Was an equity member when I worked at Butlins in the sixties. (cost £5 then) Let it go when I was abroad.

Shall follow what happens with interest.

Chas

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 08:34 AM

Sadly I had forgotten your existence and my membership, which you so warmly congratulated me on taking out.

I have a feeling I should be doing something. Shouldn't you have contacted me, when I forgot you.

I'm beginning to sound like the White Rabbit.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 08:07 AM

Hallo Bonnie,
I started The Folk Performers association page to give artist a free page for advertising on Facebook and discuss Folk matters of interest.This is not to be confused with the website owned by Alan Morley ,who as he explains, has the domain name.
Sometime ago I offered to step aside and close this page if Alan Morley's page was proffered, but adverts continue to be placed on there so I see no reason to close it and as no member who have clicked "LIKE" to join free, then I see no reason for anyone to be concerned.
Alan is advertising his new page also on the Facebook site without me deleting it, so in my opinion we are working together,but I have not had confirmation of this.
I look forward to more comments on this subject.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 06:15 AM

Glad this thread has come up again - I'd have sworn that I already "Liked" the Folk Performers Association Facebook page*, but it turns out that no, I hadn't, so I've just been and done it now. I immediately got a Notification from a lady inviting me to join the Folk Clubs UK page, which I will gladly do if someone will but tell me how! Clicked on the link, found the page, but don't see any "Join" option/link. If someone reading this can add me from their end, that will be fine, or else give me some Instructions For Boneheads on what to click. I'll be grateful for clarification, either here (if they think it would be useful to anyone else) or by a PM or private Facebook message (which anyone can send me, whether they're a Friend or not).

Very interesting and informative thread, this!

*
Folk Performers Association

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Folk-Performers-Association/109836502433683

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST,UK Folk Music - Alan Morley
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 05:03 AM

I found this thread by accident when I was check the position in Google Search for our sister website, and I have been reading all the comments with a lot of interest.

The problem with a Facebook page as Tom Bliss pointed out is that Tom and countless others either can't or are reluctant to use FB. The membership of Alan's page has grown to 294 since his January post, but how many of those who joined still visit to keep up to date!?

In November 2011 we launched UK Folk Music onto the web and we have been steadily growing / tweaking / deleting features as the months progress. In May 2012 we re-launched the ex-BBC Radio Derby programme 'Folkwaves' presented again by Mick Peat and Lester Simpson as a monthly folk show. We also have our very own programme FolkRise which is presented by me and usually features lesser known artists from across the UK.

The reason I have mentioned all this is to illustrate that we are serious in our attempts at supporting and promoting folk music and artists / performers from the UK. We don't sit around talking - we get things done....

FOLK MUSIC ARTISTS.
Our Folk Music Artists website seems to tick a lot of the boxes which have been suggested in the comments from people in this thread.

The website is intended to be a directory / portal for Folk Music Artists, and we do charge a small fee of £20 per year which allows subscribers to create their own page in the directory and include links / gigs / video / pictures etc. We charge a small subscription fee because like everyone else we have overheads and also we need to develop the website and turn it into an essential reference point for performers / clubs / festival / agents and public.
FOLK MUSIC ARTISTS

FOLK PERFORMERS ASSOCIATION
We also have the possibility of launching another website as we also own the domain name www.folkperformersassociation.co.uk which is presently re-directing traffic to Folk Music Artists.

We would welcome comments and perhaps some assistance in moving these projects forward. We have a strong commitment and belief that what we have is a great idea and that we are in a strong position to support and promote artists.

Alan Morley
Email me

UK FOLK MUSIC

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 01:27 PM

We now have 186 members and growing daily.Just click "Like" to join this Facebook page
It is a rolling page for members to advertise their gigs/events,New CDs,sing arounds and sessions etc and there is no charge.The postings are just deleted when out of date.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 16 Jun 11 - 02:57 PM

There is a problem on our site where details of events have been posted ,I am receiving information of the posting and details,but they are not appearing on the page.I hope others are not experiencing difficulties of this kind.I have sent the details to Facebook and complained.I hope to get this matter rectified ASAP. I trust that you will continue to place your event adverts after the problem has been sorted out.
We now have 110 members ,thanks for your support. Just click on "Like" to join. (no charges for membership or adverts)
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 10 Jun 11 - 04:38 AM

The rules have been changed to include NEW You tube Videos of members
(CLICK LIKE TO JOIN, NO FEES)Please include your Web Page link.
As it is a rolling page the videos will be deleted after a short while ,so do not be offended by this action.
Thanks Reggie.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 12:27 PM

I have put Reggie's idea up as a suggestion,(re Utube recordings)
If we get a reasonable response ,we can see how it goes.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: r.padgett
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:56 AM

Can we now focus on FPA business please ~ sorry for this unneeded drift

Ray

I really am getting annoyed now!!
Bloody hate pedantic people

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: r.padgett
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:51 AM

Righto!

Ray

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: TheSnail
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 10:33 AM

Again, to set the record straight, there are no "chosen ones". John asked for volunteers and, as far as I know, nobody was rejected.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: r.padgett
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 09:24 AM

Hello the SNAIL and thanks for putting me right

Hope you can help the group with the Focusing of the Focus Group and that you as a group "steer" or focus the chosen ones to come to a Mission Statement and common aims and values, if that is what you are aiming to do?

There does seem to be a lot of different aims to bring together

I wish you all the best!

Ray

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 08:34 AM

One of the interesting things about selling is that some of your existing customers are not purchasing all that you sell, only because they did not know that was in your product range.Your posting Leadfingers just goes to demonstrate this point and you just have to keep banging on their door until they grasp what you are offering.
Thanks Snail I am pleased you agree with me, I shall just keep moving the site along until I think there is too much of an overlap and close it down.If however it becomes a popular and accepted alternative offering a different slant to UKFCN then we may expand it.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: TheSnail
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 07:51 AM

Alan Day

Hi Alan

A bit concerned that the site is for Clubs - Booking Artists only

So am I. It seems to create an artificial divide that folk club organisers don't see and lays the UKFCN open to the accusation that they are trying to mould folk clubs for the benefit of professional performers.

We shall cater for these areas that UKFCN miss out.

I'm hoping to persuade the UKFCN to broaden its remit. I think the Folk Performers Association and UKFCN could be complementary and overlapping organisations. After all, many people are both organisers and performers.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Leadfingers
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 07:44 AM

With regard to the comment about Agencies - There are Good and bad (AS in ALL things) and a LOT of agencies seem to suffer severely from Tunnel Vision !
The group of people I work with mostly are 'Music in Theme' , and do Costume Theme events - Medieval , Pirate , Victorian nautical , Victorian Agricultural and even "Irish" .
We find that an agency that has used us for a Medieval event , despite the information on our fliers and the webSite often will not even consider us for anything else - They dont seem to realise that a Folk Performer CAN do a wide variety of totally different songs perfectly competently .

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 06:46 AM

Well done The Snail pleased to see you on there.
A bit concerned that the site is for Clubs - Booking Artists only
This hardly caters for the grass roots of folk , the sing arounds, the specialist dance clubs,the sessions etc these are where future artists will come from.Those people that turn up for a drink are persuaded to sing and start to come and perform on a regular basis. From those early beginnings these people go along to Folk Clubs to perform.
We shall cater for these areas that UKFCN miss out.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 05:55 AM

Thanks for your comments Reggie, most welcome.
Some artists are prolific Utube recorders (myself included)and as it is a rolling page of information ,updated either by me, or hopefully by the artists themselves, it is possible for some to so block up the page that it becomes an off shoot of You Tube.It seems better to me to provide a page that helps everyone, the artist,Folk Clubs, Dance Clubs and sing arounds, individual new CD promotions backed up by a video clip.
If I took the point you raised then NEW UTube Videos could be displayed, but on the consideration that they be deleted after say a weeks display.
If that is agreed by everyone as a good idea then that deletes one of the few rules we have.
We do have of course a Photo page where it is easy to display a link to web sites of artists.
I await your and other comments on this suggestion.
Thanks
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: TheSnail
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 05:43 AM

r.padgett

The UK Folk Club Network ~ has now decided on who to have in their "Steering Team" to no doubt bring the Folk Clubs in to line!

Just to set the record straight, The UK Folk Club Network has not set up a "Steering Team", it has set up a "Focus Group". On the Facebook group, I took issue with John Richards and others over a number of issues, in particular the need for "quality control" of floor singers and the intention to intervene in the management of individual clubs. On the strength of that, John suggested I join the Focus Group which I have done. From there, I will continue to argue my point of view that the UKFCN has considerable potential as long as it recognises its limitations.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: reggie miles
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 04:42 AM

I just finished liking the page.

I don't mean to be contrary to the needs of the page or your desires as the admin but I'm not certain where your unnatural fear of allowing YouTube videos to be posted on this site is coming from. In my experience facebook does a great job of minimizing the size of YouTube videos that display on their pages. When added, they are physically tiny in size and take up only the small amount of space, no more than the average photo uploaded. They only open to a larger state when clicked by and viewed an individual viewer but do not remain in that larger state. Once you refresh the page, or log out and log back in, you'll note that the videos have returned to their previous thumbnail size. I am only guessing here, that you are perhaps unaware of this fact.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 04:29 AM

I also have my instruments insured on my household policy.They are also named so that certain instruments I take out of the house are covered for use at gigs ,sessions etc. Royal London Mutual Insurance.
As the policy covers all my possessions up to a figure of £1500 then it is worthwhile taking instruments off the named list to reduce your payments, if their value goes below this figure.
I approached Royal London to see if they would be interested in a membership Insurance scheme, but there was no interest. This does not mean I shall not try again.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 07:41 PM

I too have my guitar and my six string banjo covered on my contents insurance, which is arranged by my housing association and paid with my rent.

It is a very low premium and I hardly notice it, and it takes into account the rarity of the guitar.

The only thing I don't have is cover abroad.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 09:53 AM

Tom: I haven't got the figures to hand, but it is cheaper to join the MU and insure through them than to buy a policy from someone else. That's economies of scale - and specialist knowledge - for you. An FPO is never going to achieve those numbers because they include all the instruments and equipment from classical, jazz, brass bands, rock bands... you name it.

My "Home and Contents" policy includes all the family's instruments. That amounts to a total of 8 guitars, an octave mandolin, flute, clarinet, 2 keyboards and a synthesiser. About £7,000 worth in all (some of the guitars are fairly cheap).

They're covered for being in the home, in the car (as long as car locked and out of sight), in use at venues, being at school (out of date now since youngest has just left school) or being at student accommodation. Specifically excluding them from the policy would lower the premium by about £70 per annum.

I know they pay out without fuss as my older daughter's flute was solen from her school locker about 4 years ago and they paid out without a murmer, enough for her to buy an equivalent 2nd hand replacement. Not sure what the MU membership fee is but to me tour H & C deal would be hard to beat.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 06:33 AM

""So if that is a fact, what does that say re: the oft-repeated lamentations here about various Unthanks, Rusbies and Lakepeople etc. "selling out"?""

A few half hour programs being aired on BBC3 or BBC4, and one or two artists capturing enough interest to be interviewed on breakfast TV, doesn't detract from my argument one bit Michael.

Take a trot through the most frequented radio channels and tell me where and how often you find any indication that an English Folk music and song tradition exists.

FFS, even the one program still dedicated to folk is largely taken over by Americana, and "World" music.

And incidentally, I don't subscribe to that nonsense about selling out. Any performer who has the chance to earn money from doing what he loves is entitled to go for it IMHO, or are we saying that anyone who enjoys working with figures should not be allowed to earn money as an accountant?

Don T.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 04:18 AM

It is very common that performers advertising themselves assume that
everybody knows what they do. Someone putting on say a medieval banquet, for example ,looking for performers would not have clue as who does what.So they go to a Folk Agency , even there unless you specify what you can do you will miss out on this work.Well known artists are known to everybody in the Folk World but very few will know them outside it.We all know that for Weddings and other special events , we can put on a fantastic evening that will be different from the DJ in the corner putting on his favourites and with no thought for the audience in front of him.
If you are advertising list the lot, just in the way Ray has just done we all now know what he is looking for and what he is trying to do.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: r.padgett
Date: 08 Jun 11 - 01:46 AM

I seem to have been confusing myself of late

This is the FPA (Folk Performers Accociation) which I would like to join

The UK Folk Club Network ~ has now decided on who to have in their "Steering Team" to no doubt bring the Folk Clubs in to line!

I appear to have been warned off posting with them, and I better shut up now! Good luck to 'em!

I am interested in collecting, learning and singing mainly traditional songs (anyone near Sth Yorks interested in singing harmonies??)or backing?

My recent 49 2CD recordings with words and notes is available (complete with typos!)named English Traditionalist songs

There does seem to be a move in English folk clubs away from The Tradition, this area in Scotland and Ireland (I have Cable TV) is thriving and we do seem to be at odds with them ~ I can't understand this and don't want a discussion on it either, just support for the English Traditional songs and music as a jumping off point to new songs in "the tradition"

I am NOT an out and out traditional song person as has been suggested in another place to the exclusion of others

I do think that agencies have their place, which is not in yer face!

I am annoyed at certain comments that have been made elswhere (sorry wrong place I know!) Do not ask!!

Ray

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: michaelr
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 04:04 PM

I was intrigued to read this:

With very few exceptions, radio music presenters are given playlists, from which they are not allowed to stray, containing all the latest manufactured groups and artists whom the recording companies want to promote and surprise, surprise, those playlists contain no folk music, nada, zip, zilch.

So if that is a fact, what does that say re: the oft-repeated lamentations here about various Unthanks, Rusbies and Lakepeople etc. "selling out"?

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:51 PM

NICK PICKETT

Nick was born in London in 1949, but raised in the West Country. Living in a small village he got his first taste of music by listening to the regular broadcasts of Jazz and Blues from the French radio stations in the 1960's. He had always been a keen singer, but didn't take up the guitar and harmonica until he was 16 and began studying at art college in Somerset.

In 1968 he moved to college in Bristol, where he became a resident singer at the Troubadour Club. Deciding that music was more to his liking than art he quit college and moved to London in search of work. Late in 1969 he joined the John Dummer Band as lead singer and guitarist. He wrote and produced a number of recordings with the band, including their hit single "Nine By Nine", which reached the top of the sales charts in many European countries. By this time, however, he had decided to resume work as a soloist and returned to acoustic performances.

He has recorded as a soloist for Warners, as well as recording as a guest with many other artistes, including Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, Daddy Longlegs, Mungo Jerry, and Andy Fernbach. In the late 1980's he returned to college to study design, and in 1993 he was awarded a Ph.D. for his work in devising music equipment for people with physical impairment. Nick performs mainly at acoustic clubs and festivals, where his steel-strung guitar and cutting harmonica help to deliver original songs with jazz and blues overtones.

©M&K2002

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:50 PM

I agree Tom and I thought I covered that in my last sentence, perhaps it was badly wrote.:)
I have my instruments added to my household police and are covered for use whilst I am out of the house.
I must stress to everyone once again (just in case)
I set up this Facebook page for all of you to use, it has few rules ,the main one is no posting of Utube videos as sadly there is no room to do them justice (unless it is part of your new CD promotion.
It is not my site it is yours
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:47 PM

well many years ago[ABOUT1985] the MU,scored a massive own goal.
A friend of mine called Nick Pickett used to do support acts at the Marquee,The MU in their wisdom decided that support acts at the Marquee were not getting paid enough, and told the management that support acts should get paid more, the management said yes we agree, so we have decided we wont have support acts any more.
result the MU, Through their ill thought out confrontation deprived my friend of a well publicised gig that he was very happy to do, that is f###### stupid.
the MU is a very good organisation with good intentions,but like all unions needs to be well led., and needs to think carefully about strategies when dealing with employers

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:36 PM

"a fee of any sort to join say the MU would seem pointless" -

Alan, how much is your box worth? How much would it cost to insure it to take outside of your house? The MU-based policy covers it even in the car (as long as it's out of sight) - and sometimes you do need to do that even if you're not playing for money - paying for fuel for example.

I haven't got the figures to hand, but it is cheaper to join the MU and insure through them than to buy a policy from someone else. That's economies of scale - and specialist knowledge - for you. An FPO is never going to achieve those numbers because they include all the instruments and equipment from classical, jazz, brass bands, rock bands... you name it.

So no-one who ever takes instruments out of the house should think it's not financially worthwhile to to join the MU. And if you have particularly nice instruments you never take out, but need to be named in your household policy, then again the MU is worth joining IIRC.

And you get all the other benefits of the union into the bargain.

Wolfie Bliss

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 03:20 PM

Interesting points you raise Don & Tom.
The FPA is for Amateur as well as Professional musicians. There are a lot of us "Amateur" artists that offer services for almost expenses, or FOC and a fee of any sort to join say the MU would seem pointless.
Taxation,Accounts,PRS negotiations are pretty rare for an amateur although it is as well to know the procedures just in case something comes through the post.
The Insurance of Musical Instruments on the road however is of particular importance to us all and it is a point that I raised for discussion.I talked to a couple of Insurance Companies with regards to membership quotations, but could find no interest.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST, Tom Bliss
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 01:54 PM

Don T said "The Musicians Union is of little use to performers out of the mainstream of pop."

While I agree with most of your post, Don, that statement does demand a gentle rebuttal.

The Folk Roots and Traditional Music Section of the MU does a lot of very good work for the folk world, not least in negotiation with PRS, the Government and other bodies. I don't agree with everything they say and do, (and at times they themselves have problems getting the rest of the MU to play ball), and I do feel that a group with perhaps a stronger brief for traditional and amateur musicians is a good thing, but I don't think we should write off the MU. I'm not sure whether "The attitude to grass roots performers is pretty much the same as used to be the case.." also refers to the MU, or if you were by then talking about the music industry, but in any event the MU is well worth supporting even if you are only a part time musician. (You don't even need to be a player to join - in fact one of the senior folk reps does not play any instrument himself). But things like instrument and public liability insurance, contract advice and legal assistance, as well as injury cover make the fees more than equitable.

Leadfingers compared the MU fee with the Equity fee - but Actors don't carry round a few grand's worth of Cittern or Melodeon with them. Members insurance is SO much cheaper than the high street that the fee's covered by this saving alone - so even if you never play for money but do take your beloved instruments out to sessions or festivals or dancing events, that's reason enough to join.

But above all the MU tirelessly supports live music - in all its forms. OK they did initially roll over on the licensing issue, but they did go on kicking. Fair play to Hamish Birchall, of course, who resigned over the MU's failure to act, and should get the lions share of the credit, but in the end the MU helped to get a result which Equity could never have achieved.

As in a lot of areas of life we owe more to the unions, including the MU, than we sometimes realise, or it is currently fashionable to admit.

When I stopped being a pro first time round back in the 80s I let my membership lapse. I'm not making the same mistake again.

Tom

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 12:28 PM

""I would check with the UK Musicians's Union that Ann mentions above. Why re-invent the wheeel?""

The Musicians Union is of little use to performers out of the mainstream of pop.

The attitude to grass roots performers is pretty much the same as used to be the case with relatives with a learning disability, namely "hide 'em away when we have visitors."

They are highly unlikely to take us seriously unless we are already making substantial earnings without their input, and then we wouldn't need their input anyway.

For folk performers Alan's idea would not be re-inventing the wheel, but more like releasing the brake.

The music industry in general is engaged in blocking folk music from any access to Media airtime, since they can't control it and therefore can't make money out of it.

It isn't, IMO, coincidence that the BBC is rapidly doing away with local radio folk programs and local television has never really featured folk in the first place.

With very few exceptions, radio music presenters are given playlists, from which they are not allowed to stray, containing all the latest manufactured groups and artists whom the recording companies want to promote and surprise, surprise, those playlists contain no folk music, nada, zip, zilch.

It's time we had some sort of organisation which represents the grass roots who would like a little more sunlight and slightly less fertiliser, supplying a chance to grow.

EFDSS have changed their attitudes and become less dance oriented, but I see little evidence that they particularly care about performers or clubs. It is the folk songs and folk dances which are their concern and raison d'etre, not the places in which they can be heard or the people who perform them.

Somebody has to make them see that the songs and dances will be an historical relic like the dead sea scrolls, absent the facilities for broadcasting them, and the facilities are the clubs and their performers.

Don T.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 08:41 AM

Thanks for your comments Flora and suggestions.
UK Folk Club Network may be just specialising in Folk Club activities only, which leaves a lot of space for individuals, (promotion of new CDs,tours, agency information (as you suggest), promotion of publications ,transport sharing and discussion on personal problems such as TAX, accounts etc.
The site is there for anyone to advertise and it is regularly monitored to keep it rolling.
I think it best that I just hold fire and see exactly what the other site is going to specialise in.If it covers all of the individual points I have mentioned then I will close it down.If it provides a service alongside it then it may be worth carrying on if all members agree
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 07 Jun 11 - 04:14 AM

Have been thinking about yout initial question Alan.

As a local band we do regular barn dances - WI local schools etc. I sometimes wonder what would happen if I was ill - where could we get another caller at short notice. Would a directory be helpful?

I should also like to know of any good agencies in the area.

When I started calling I went with Jack Hamilton to see a few of his dances. Does anyone else do this for new callers?

A thread on this site might sort most of these things out as I've had some helpful advice in the past. Would an association be any more helpful?

However, not everyone reads this site - and there are the bigger Qs - eg what folk will be in the olimpics

Still thinking about the issue.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 07:43 AM

The UK Folk Club network mentioned above is proving very popular and is exactly the type of page that I envisaged when setting up the Folk Performers Association. I have no intention of running a rival page to this new group , or any other group for that matter.
With this in mind I see no need to continue .
I would however like to express my thanks to those members who have joined and contributed.I will slowly dismantle the page, not with any regret, as long as we have representation that is all that matters.
Al :)

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Bob TB
Date: 20 May 11 - 06:38 AM

I have long thought that it would be useful to have some organisation for folk clubs to share ideas and discuss common problems. Festival organisers have the AFO but there has been nothing at club level.

The danger is fragmentation and I think it's essential that we don't duplicate effort or end up in competition with one another. I know that the EFDSS have plans for club directories, event listings and so on on their new web site. It may be worth making formal contact with them. They do seem to be getting their act together at last.

I started the folk diary site www.SimplyWhatsOn.com to provide a single point of reference for all folk events - clubs, concerts, sessions, etc. It needs a lot more entries to be effective but it's a start and there are lots of ideas for the future. I would be more than happy to work with this project on club listings to avoid having another on-line listing and another place clubs have to enter their data (and save a lot of work!).

I'll have a little display for SimplyWhatsOn down by the river at Chippenham next weekend if anyone wants to come along and bounce ideas around.

Bob Hawkes

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 May 11 - 08:48 AM

I was a tad surprised at the membership cost for M U !! I am in the other lot (Equity) and thats £90 a year if you are at the bottom end of the pay scale !!

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 19 May 11 - 08:46 AM

Interesting concept Desi C, I think any idea which could assist Folk artists has got to be investigated, One problem I could see is that many Folk Clubs have advance bookings way into the future, but a forward package of bookings in one area (say Devon) at a reduced rate may prove an interesting and also a negotiation of reduced Hotel bills for a longer stay may be worth investigating, particularly out of holiday season.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 19 May 11 - 07:34 AM

From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 11 - 02:24 PM
Re the storytellers Association, if you contact The Trad Arts Team, Birmingham, they have a very good web site, think it's www.traditionalartsteam.co.uk or might just be tradarts.co.uk you'll get all the info. I'm sure they do a lot more than I'm aware of. But one very good aspect that I think could be easily adapet to all Folk performers and clubs.
If for instance you had 50 clubs in an association dotted round the UK a performer from abroad, or the UK wanting to travel round doing some gigs. Normally they'd need to contact individual clubs hoping for individual bookings, time consuming and expensive if they get one booking down south on a Monday and back up north next night. With the association he could contact one number, if his/her fee was normall say £200 the association could offer something like bookings at 10 of their clubs within reasonable distance of each other, for a reduced fee of £150, they could even, as the Storytellers org does, arrange support acts if needed at each club, Performer gets 10 bookings when beforehand he might only have got 5 or 6, no long travel between gigs, and clubs who might have not been able to afford booked artists now may be able to, everybody wins, clubs, performers and audience.

It works very well in other areas like the rock circuit and the comedy scene. Folk performers really struggle to make a living when with a more professional appoach like this the scene could benefit greatly I feel

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 19 May 11 - 07:13 AM

Thanks John,I am replying to it.Also thanks for joining my list,
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Bounty Hound
Date: 19 May 11 - 06:55 AM

Alan, here is the thread on Mudcat that Chris is referring to.

UK Folk Club Network

You may already be aware, but John Richards and Damien Barber are attempting to establish a UK Folk Club 'support' network, for both Organisers and performers. I think Chris is suggesting on the other thread here that it would be worth you talking to them.

Facebook page for the John Richards/Damien Barber project is here
UK Folk Club Network: Facebook Group

Just sent you a friends request in FB if you respond to that I'll add you to the UK Folk Club Group and you could then contact John and Damien through that if you wish to.

John

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 19 May 11 - 06:04 AM

Chris could not find the message you were referring to,I was concerned about whether the two groups (Mudcat and FPA) were clashing but a number on the thread and on Facebook have given their support so it will continue unless the members suggest otherwise.
If it is derogatory please let me know
Thanks
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 19 May 11 - 05:47 AM

Alan,

Have you seen this?

http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=137981&messages=2

Chris

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: Alan Day
Date: 10 May 11 - 03:58 AM

We now have over 80 members of the association
Just click on "LIKE" to join
Advertise your events, New CD releases and New Publications.
It is a rolling page with out of date postings deleted .
No charge to join, or advertise.
Al

Subject: RE: Folk Performers Association
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 11 - 02:24 PM

GUEST,Desi C

In the same way Storytellers have an association which through good communication can offer performers several bookings at participating clubs in exchange for a discounted rate, rather than have to get bookings one by one, and often travel long distances for just one boking.

I would be interested to know how that works as I have recently been involved in trying to help out artists find enough bookings to make it worth their while to travel some distance from the North or West down here to the South-East corner of the UK.