fRoots suspending publication

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: rich-joy
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 06:50 PM

I had held off posting in the beginning, to this thread, as I was merely a Subscriber, from far far away (Down Under!) ….. (AND Mudcat has been - of late - often “unavailable” to us!!)

Though I was a subscriber for some years to other print pubs (Living Tradition, Musical Traditions, SingOut! ), I started with Ian A. from The Southern Rag days, through Folk Roots and into fRoots, until Life took me into other, less financially beneficial, fields and places.

But living in Oz, there are SO many musicians I would never have heard of (or at least, not until many years later), if it weren’t for this exciting publication. The quantity and scope (and quality), of my LP and CD collections increased enormously!
[and BtW, I am also still proud to own LPs of Hot Vultures / English Country Blues Band / Maggie Holland!! :) ]

“World Music” (before Ian coined the term – but hey, let’s NOT turn that into yet another Mudcat argument!), had - in my Shopping Experience - previously been LPs of dubious German polka bands, or, at the other end of the scale, the wonderful “Misa” series, e.g.

Thanks to FR, the world of music really did open up for me. And how else would I have heard of the wonderful, late lamented Johnny Clegg (when he did make it to Oz, it was nowhere near my abode!)

Far too many other examples to cite, but I am eternally grateful for the vision and passion of Ian A. and his Team and their sharing of so much incredible music from ALL over the globe.

Kudos – Respect – THANKS!!!


Cheers, R-J

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 03:02 PM

I am probably not the only one who could be saying this but here goes....

Over the years, I have been involved in a number of projects that have sought funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, ACE, local authority funding etc. The application process is complicated, daunting even. One of the requirements is to prove "Matched Funding" - the ability to demonstrate that you have been able to raise funding from other sources. This can be difficult but one way round this is to obtain "free" advertising space in magazines that would otherwise be quite expensive.
In two of these applications - for funding to support the America Over The Water, Shirley Collins' multi-media show and for Lewes Folk Festival, we were given prominent expensive adverts in a number of issues and this helped us to show "matched funding".
Which magazine gave us this support? fRoots
Another reason to be thankful to Ian Anderson.

Perhaps I ought to point out that this was something of a reciprocal arrangement because I never used to be asked to be paid for the articles that I wrote - but this was more to do with my concern about the shoe-string nature of the magazine's finances and my desire to see it continue.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 10:42 AM

GUEST - Well thank you for your triumphant challenge to my blatantly obvious personal opinion...
I feel so much better for being so rightly put down in my place...

So, it may be a reassurance potential exists for sustainable paper manufacture,
but let's consider the actual reality of greedy negligent global industy
willingly following best sustainable manufacturing procedures..
ok.. let's see how effectively that works out in coming years then...??

btw.. Do you have investments in paper production...???

But, I'll give you this..
in an emergency a smatphone or tablet
aint so great when you discover too late you've ran out of toilet paper...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 10:12 AM

I have never had to stop reading a print magazine because I had no signal or low battery.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Jul 19 - 09:34 AM

"I'm glad to see an end of paper and print. We are too close to ecological disaster to continue
with this much cherished, but no longer viable media format"

Really, paper is a long way down the list when it comes down to the villains of climate change. Paper can be made sustainably; and while I'd have to remind myself of the articles, I've read info about how forests can be managed with a virtuous cycle of cutting down and replanting in ways that are more carbon-absorption efficient than simply leaving trees to grow. Plus there's always recycled paper.

It's interesting that you describe print as 'no longer viable': the one thing print has going for it is that you can actually charge for it, so you can run a magazine professionally (i.e. commission and publish a whole fat bunch of in-depth features every month). You can't do that online, which is why there are only a handful of professional music websites. The few that there are are all rock and pop. There are no professional folk music websites.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 01:51 PM

I love the smell of magazines in the morning... ;-)

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 12:36 PM

The mrs recently treated herself to copies of Mojo and Uncut mags for the Springsteen articles.
We stopped buying any mags like that a good decade ago.
Now they are well too expensive..

I had to give up trying to read the copies she bought
because no matter how I adjusted my glasses,
I couldn't read the smallest print sizes...

I'm glad to see an end of paper and print.
We are too close to ecological disaster to continue
with this much cherished, but no longer viable media format...

btw.. also about 10 years ago I had to chuck out my many boxes of collected magazines accumulated since the 1970s,
which I've lugged in vans all over the country whenever I moved home,
because they'd all gone mildewed and too toxic to keep...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,CJ
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 12:27 PM

Absolutely, Brimbacombe. The Word, NME, Sounds Melody Maker, many more no doubt, all gone (I know the NME has an existence online still). I agree fRoots did well to last so long.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Brimbacombe
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 12:25 PM

The printed fRoots magazine was one way in which people would garner information about the folk scene. Much of what it did is now available in much more instant, convenient forms, via the internet and social media. For such a niche publication, I'd say that it did well to continue so long into the digital age (with Living Tradition still going). Its demise doesn't necessarily reflect upon the state of the folk scene; looking at wider trends, it more reflects the state of print media.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 11:58 AM

I doubt if it ever made much money, but it survived for 40 years. It just seems strange to me that if things in the UK folk scene are so rosy just now as we're being told, why does it go tits up when all is tickety-boo ?

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 07:13 AM

The scene might be healthy but I don't think there's much money in it. It's hard to run make money from any print magazine, music or otherwise.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 07:13 AM

People are still reading but via the internet. I haven't bought a newspaper in years but keep abreast of the news by going online.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 06:53 AM

Just a thought - after recent debates about how healthy a state the "scene" is in, if that were to be the case, then surely "fRoots" would be thriving, not folding, or have the current UK folk scene given up on reading ?
I gave up on it years ago, but am sorry to hear about its' demise.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 05:58 AM

Sorry, this was meant for Saddest Lines, though not entirely unconnected with this thread.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 05:56 AM

The radio said they were just ‘deportees’

Each tea lasts an hour, then he wanders home alone

My children will go as soon as they grow, cos ain’t nothing here now to hold them.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 11:20 AM

Thanks Dick - with your continued support I can enjoy a fabulous lifestyle
as a social media influencer and entrepreneur...


this is post 89... or maybe 90.. I'm too excited to keep track...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 11:15 AM

If any advertisers want to contact me regarding gifting me free products and paid endorsements,
I have a fantastic media reach of 1 on my exciting international social network fanbase
of potential consumers for your products.
Get in touch with me, we can maximise success and sales together going forward.....

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 11:04 AM

Hurrah.. I have now reached the giddy heights of gaining my own stalker mudcat fan...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 11:02 AM

punkfolkrocker - you've got to try harder!

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 10:56 AM

punkfolk rocker has made 86 posts in the last seven days

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 09:55 AM

"We also have ti remember that Ian is now 70 and may not want to spend a huge amount of each week at his computer"

That don't seem to stop most mudcatters...
They seem to spend even more time on their keyboards since retirement...

Ian would be very welcome here, but he's probably got far too much sense...???

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 09:48 AM

Supporters of fRoots organised a huge successful fundraising project about three years ago at the same time as the magazine moved from monthly to quarterly, but the huge loss of advertising revenue - common to all magazines, but particularly music mags has meant that its viability has become more marginal.
We also have ti remember that Ian is now 70 and may not want to spend a huge amount of each week at his computer.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 09:22 AM

There are a few British singers and bands who have made their fortunes in recent years
on the back of being marketed to young fans as "folk" artists..

They might have a few spare quid and a potential sense of duty
to contribute a bit to an online fRoots,
and a new salaried team...???

Hello Ed... feeling altruistic...???????

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 08 Jul 19 - 09:04 AM

The very sad news has probably reached most enthusiasts by now but it is good to see the sad demise of "fRoots" recognised with an article on the enormous contribution that it has made in the pages of today's "The Guardian" :-

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/jul/08/froots-british-folk-magazine-underground-music?fbclid=IwAR2NhpmHBqKAQOszxUCIFNueaK

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 01:04 PM

I have only met Ian a couple of times, I have not as far as i can remember ever had a bad review in froots or southern rag. I did not read froots apart from very occasionally so I will not miss it particularly.   I have respect for anyone that organises or runs festivals, folk clubs music magazines, folk record companies etc. they are all people that are positive
I never make judgements of people based on what they may or may not have said on the internet, that includes posters on this thread.
I was not aware that Ian had already received a Gold Badge, but I am pleased that it happened

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 06:43 AM

SteveT … yes, Ian Anderson has already had his 70th birthday, and has been looking for someone to take over fRoots for some time. The loss of Stirrings will be sad as well.
Derek

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,SteveT
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 04:46 AM

I admit I’ve never actually bought a copy of fRoots but applaud anyone who works to keep the awareness of folk music alive.

What I have tried to do is to buy whatever local/regional folk magazine was being produced near me. I was sad to see the editor of the excellent, Yorkshire-based ‘Stirrings ’ magazine announce in the latest issue that he will also cease publication of this next year with issue 181. In his case he puts it down to having edited it for decades, asked repeatedly for someone to take over the reins and had no response.   (If he does get a positive response of course….) I wonder how much of Ian Anderson’s decision is also that you can’t go on for ever. (“Ian Anderson wanted to retire as editor” GUEST,matt milton : Date: 05 Jul 19 - 04:27 AM)    Is it another example of the generation that used to organise things running out of steam and new generations not wanting to step in to fill the same gaps?

Sad days but things always change.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 04:13 PM

Or perhaps just the New Victory Band :-)

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 04:07 PM

Guest Cj.. We seemed to have emailed at the same time.
In further evidence of Ian's commitment to the folk music of these islands, he has covered all of the traditional releases from topic, musical traditions and veteran, done features and adopted a less than commercial attitude to worthwhile projects, in terms of charging for adverts etc.
I was very pleased to be able to write an article on the Peterloo project in this last issue, covering Pete Coe's latest project. And there is Pete, on the front cover of the first issue of Southern Rag, which included a feature on Pete's project then, the New Victory New Band.
Derek

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 03:51 PM

Actually, Ian Anderson already has a well deserved gold badge from the EFDSS.
Derek

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Cj
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 03:48 PM

Ian was awarded an efdss gold badge in 2015.

Dick, your comments tell me one thing: fRoots never gave you the coverage you feel you deserve and you are bitter about it.

Congratulations on 40yrs, Ian. Hard enough to keep afloat that long without mealy-mouthed buggers throwing stones at you.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 03:41 PM

well here's a chance to prove that you're the bigger person.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Normandy
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 03:39 PM

If you read the latest edition you'll see that his views about EFDSS have profoundly changed; it compares/contrasts the current organisation with the days of DEAFASS. There's been a generation of change between the early 1990s and today, and this is fully recognised and praised.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 01:48 PM

Dick,

Do you think he would be proud of an award from the folks that he used to describe as DEAFASS? if memory is correct.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 12:44 PM

more apt would be if he was awarded an EFDSS medal, specifically for keeping the magazine going,.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 11:54 AM

I'd suggest as a thank you to Mr Anderson...

Locate, buy, and enjoy his solo CDs...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 11:42 AM

Well said; we should be celebrating the achievement here, rather than analysing the demise. Putting his own musical career on hold for forty years in order promote that of others is a hugely noble gesture by Mr Anderson. Most of the time, the editorial arguments were well made and spot on, and even when I didn’t fully agree, at least it made me think about it which is never a bad thing.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 11:15 AM

being a serial killer and making everyone miserable...that's sad. not doing something clever and creative with your life.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 10:57 AM

well a lifetime of creative effort is an achievement of merit. its not really sad.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 10:12 AM

dropping the word "folk" from its title possibly didn't help to encourage them to stay.

I can give at least part of the reason for this, Howard. This was in the early days of the internet and people were taking chances on registering and buying internet domain names in the hopes of selling them at a profit to the people who would want them for their product/service/firm etc.
It was someone who was a prominent figure on the folk scene at that time who registered the "folkroots.com" domain in the hope of selling it to Ian. Rather than buy it he went for the name that is now "https://frootsmag.com/" and the magazine name was changed at the same time. There were other reasons but this was part of it.
"folkroots.com" is now used by an American firm that makes dulcimers.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Hooteanny
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 10:07 AM

I never subscribed but purchased every issue until the decision to pay more attention to various musics world wide which to me appeared to be possibly mistakenly the then current popular music in that country.

Re "it raised the bar for folk music journalism" from Southern Rag days.

I was once insulted in an editorial by being accused of letting down a reasonably well known group of the time with regard to a booking at a big festival. It was completely wrong and nobody asked me for an explanation.

I put it down to the fact that the person responsible was still wet behind the ears and lacked basic courtesy.

The magazine's demise is sad but unfortunately that's the way that all minority interest magazines and shops are going or have already gone

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Howard Jones
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 08:39 AM

Whilst Brian is correct that the British folk scene was never ignored, the magazine undoubtedly lost a lot of readers from the folk scene when it increased its emphasis on world music, and dropping the word "folk" from its title possibly didn't help to encourage them to stay. Nevertheless, that was probably a sensible direction to go, commercially as well as artistically, given the state of the British folk scene at the time.

What can be in no doubt is that from its earliest days as Southern Rag it raised the bar for folk music journalism, and it went on to reach the highest standards of writing and production by any measure, not just by comparison with folk or even general music magazines but with those on any subject. I can only imagine the disappointment Ian Anderson and his team must now feel, but they must be congratulated for what they have achieved.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Richard Robinson
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 07:20 AM

"A subscription implies that the magazine will be sent to the subscriber until one of the three expires”. I first saw this phrase in .exe, a programming magazine from the days of dos5/windows3; and, yes, it's a splendidly elegant description. I wonder where it came from, first ?

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Brian Peters
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 07:18 AM

I will paste Vic Smith's previous comment, since it mirrors almost exactly my own thoughts:

"What this magazine under its three titles has achieved surpasses anything that has been produced anywhere. The standard of artwork, journalism, photography etc. have been outstanding. I am proud to have been associated with the magazine as a writer, reviewer and a provider of news items."

I would also add that, during my time as a writer for fRoots, Ian Anderson actively encouraged me to submit articles on the English folk scene (I remember writing pieces on Pete Coe, Chris Coe, Roy Harris, Rod Stradling, John Kirkpatrick and Cecil Sharp, for instance). That side of our music was never ignored.

Finally, can I again endorse Vic's comment about The Living Tradition (for which also write occasionally), which does a great job in covering the traditional music of these islands.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 05:26 AM

The magazine will probably continue online , it clearly has its followers,it is a sign of changing times. I find disposing of glossy magazines problematic [along with glossy unsolicited junk post etc]I hope for those people who have enjoyed froots it continues online

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 04:58 AM

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman - PM
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:57 PM

Yes Vic , the magzine is not one that has appealed to me, living tradtion is more my cup of tea.and will not be one that i will miss very much
I would echo your praise, well done Ian Anderson.40 years running amagazine is worthy of praise. he has given others pleasure and given information to us all about different traditions.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 04:27 AM

It's a massive shame.

Sadly I don't think it's a temporary suspension of publication: Ian Anderson wanted to retire as editor (he'd been working the role unpaid for at least 4 years, I understand); and there isn't a magazine publisher to take it on.   

For me, the biggest loss will be fRoots' ear to the ground on the fringes of the UK and Irish folk scene. They gave press to bands like Stick in the Wheel and Lynched (now Lankum); they review lots of self-released albums...they review Musical Traditions releases... that sort of thing.

The world music coverage of fRoots does coincide a fair bit with Songlines magazine; so from the world music point of view I don't think there's quite as much as a vacuum left. But it's the off-the-radar UK folk acts that I think will suffer most from it. I don't think there are any other magazines out there giving big feature space to the tiny independant folk acts: fRoots would even put them on the cover.

It's making me think about perhaps starting a quarterly fanzine...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Normandy
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 03:55 AM

I came back to this site after quite a while and won a bet with myself that a person whose name I'd (thankfully) forgotten would be kvetching again about fRoots, based on some bad review s/he might have received for an album or performance that undoubtedly deserved it.

I won the bet. And with my takings, I'll use it to support fRoots in whatever form it continues as. It has been the biggest-distributed and available magazine that has been part of the 'living tradition' and helped it grow and flourish in all its international musical forms.

I'm really saddened at its loss - temporary, I hope. It's made a mark on the development of so many musicians over the last 40 years. It'll continue, as we will too with our love and support of roots music.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Sean O'Shea
Date: 05 Jul 19 - 02:58 AM

The Sandman has really got me annoyed on this one.I can't normally be bothered to give any credit to his ill considered or self promotional posts but his input on this thread is churlish, self contradictory and in places unintelligible[July 4].
Moreover,I continually lament his poor use of grammar and spelling.A beacon of the mundane.
But well done Vic Smith for a measured and sensitive response.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: RTim
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 07:49 PM

So after 70 years - Mad Magazine is also suspending publication...so the writing is on the wall - or the Internet....

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: RTim
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 07:49 PM

So after 70 years - Mad Magazine is also suspending publication...so the writing is on the wall - or the Internet....

Tim Radford

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: StephenH
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 07:46 PM

Vic Smith's comments made me realise that I was remiss in not thanking
Ian Anderson in my comments.
So to rectify that, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to
Mr.Anderson for his immense work in keeping a wonderful publication
alive for so long.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 06:07 PM

I too want to drag this thread back to what i see as its primary focus - to report and lament the sad news.

And thence, importantly, to most heartily endorse the comments of Vic Smith and Derek Schofield, both in tone and detail. I too have been a subscriber to, and reviewer for, the magazine, for some time, and have stayed loyal to it through the years because it was/is the best, the most informed, the most professionally produced in every way - which is, it should go without saying, down to the tremendous (and too often unsung) guiding force and unswerving integrity of its Editor Ian Anderson. Well done that man! For that, and for selecting and steering (and keeping on board) the very best contributors in their field/s.

I do still harbour the hope that an online fRoots presence can be maintained somehow. It won't be the same, I grant you, but it would be infinitely better than losing the mag's presence altogether. The specialist music scene can't stand to lose fRoots' benchmark high standard of journalism IMHO.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 04:43 PM

I endorse Vic Smith's comments. I too have been a contributor, going back to my first review in 1983 and my first article in 1988. I've also been a subscriber since Southern Rag days, and have every copy on my (bulging) shelves. I have many other folk magazines as well, from the 1950s through to the present day (more bulging shelves) and whilst all the current magazines have their relative strengths, fRoots has been the best produced, consistently published and most professional of them all. It has championed and challenged and even if you have less interest in the musics from further afield, there has always been more than enough content from these shores. All credit to Ian Anderson. It's a sad day.
Derek Schofield

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 04:33 PM

I'm sorry for Ian. He always seemed a decent sort of guy. I remember him in the Hot Vultures days.

I suppose whatever some people on mudcat think - we're all on the same team, kicking the ball in the same direction, against a sea of outrageous fortune.

You do what you can. Buy cds you know you'll never listen to, sit through hours of tedium, subject those you love to the same experience....buy magazines on the rare occasion they write about people you know

However eventually you register the lack of interest of the world at large in the music that's going in your village and as Tony Hancock said, the lapels on your jacket are the first thing to go.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,JoeG
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 04:31 PM

Well said Vic!

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 04:10 PM

I have written often for Living Tradition and fRoots over the years and know that both have only survived through shoestring finances and by the editors taking little or no money for producing their publications so whilst I am in dishing out praise mode let's mention the other magazine's editors:-
Well done and thank you Fiona Heywood and Jim Byrne.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:57 PM

Yes Vic , the magzine is not one that has appealed to me, living tradtion is more my cup of tea.and will not be one that i will miss very much
I would echo your praise, well done Ian Anderson.40 years running amagazine is worthy of praise. he has given others pleasure andgiven information to us all about different tradtions.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:52 PM

I'm very familiar with Mr Anderson's old west country stompin grounds,
and recently managed to buy some of his old solo CDs.
Not just out of loyalty to a Scrumpyshire lad,
but because they sound really good...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Vic Smith
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:10 PM

What I would like to see here is praise for the man who has devoted 40 years of his adult life to producing this magazine, often at great personal financial loss. Changes in the way we gain information mean that it is no longer viable to produce an independent specialist music magazine. What this magazine under its three titles has achieved surpasses anything that has been produced anywhere. The standard of artwork, journalism, photography etc. have been outstanding. I am proud to have been associated with the magazine as a writer, reviewer and a provider of news items.
The reaction should be to heap praise on the founder and only editor.
So from me:-
Well done and thank you, Ian Anderson.
I hope fair minded people can join this reaction.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Hagman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:06 PM

Always appreciated the rider on the verso page of fRoots:“A subscription implies that the magazine will be sent to the subscriber until one of the three expires.”

As a Lifetime subscriber, always thought it would be me, but not so, it appears. RIP, if that’s how it turns out. All will be missed.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 01:50 PM

KNOCK IT OFF!!!

This thread is not about you.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 01:46 PM

no, you give it a rest, you choose to interpret my tone in aparticular way, my feelings are not hurt at all . i reserve the right to have a similiar opinion to steve shaw now please desist

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 01:26 PM

Dick - give it a rest...

You came here to be negative, your tone was arrogant,
and you quoted me as a vehicle to vent your petty opinion.

I replied in an appropriately dismissive manner...
If your feelings are hurt.. tough...

If any mods want to tell me off.. fair enough...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 01:17 PM

pfr my views pretty much echo steve shaw, it did not not cater for me and i was not interested in the majority of articles, yet you do not attack steve shaw.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 01:15 PM

punk folk rocker, am i not allowed to have a different opinion to you?
when i wish to listen to roots music or wor;ld music i can do so easily on the radio or computer. I do not have a problem with other people hqving a different opinin on the matter each to their own, perhaps froots has done its job and is no longer needed, roots music and world music seem to have entered the mainstream broad casting [in ireland] but then tradtional music in ireland is much closer to the mainstream anyhow.
and punk fr what is this personal stuff about living up to my name. who are you to start dictating what i should or should not do?are you going to tell me next that ishould like punk rock or everything that you like?

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 12:31 PM

Froots did a three page article on me in the December 2018 Issue, and in the same issue a six page spread on Martin Carthy. So I think there was always an interest in the UK Folk Scene, even back in the Southern Rag Days, when they were kind enough to publish an article on the Folk song collecting We (my wife and I) had done in Dorset.
Dismiss any of my personal involvement, and I still think that the Mag. was a positive force in Folk Music and beyond. Yes I am sorry to see it go, and will try and support it on line.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST,Jerry
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 12:14 PM

This is sad news and the end of an era. I’ve been subscriber ever since it was called Southern Rag. Even though it often dragged me into areas of music I wasn’t that keen on at the time, it did so in a way that made me realise that it was good for my wider musical education. Without that I would still be one of those narrow minded musos who know what they like and therefore refuse to listen to anything outside their comfort box. Aside from the more challenging world music, they also covered traditional and contemporary folk, blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, old time country, bluegrass and enough indie singer songwriter stuff than the world probably ever will need - what’s not to like there?

The standard of journalism and reviews has always been top notch, compared to other magazines that have come and gone during the lifetime of Froots. Yes, there are one or two other folk mags still going, but they don’t really have the same breath or depth of coverage. On the plus side, at least I’ll have more time now for fixing the guttering, which has needed attention since about 1978.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: StephenH
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 11:44 AM

Yes, I'm very sad to hear this. An excellent publication which I
have enjoyed for many years. I have subscribed in the past but the
cost of a subscription to Canada is just beyond my reach in present
circumstances.
That is why I was delighted with the recent switch to a quarterly
publication - I could budget for each issue individually.
PFR is correct, I suppose, about internet publications but I still
love holding a paper publication in my old fogey hands.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Jeri
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 11:39 AM

Why do people who don't care about the subject of a thread feel compelled to announce their apathy to the world? I read it as "I resent the fact that anyone cares.

Sorry to see it go. I had a subscription for a while. World music isn't my bag, either, but I found the articles interesting. It simply started to cost more than I could afford.

I hope they maybe could do a on-line pub.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 11:32 AM

Dick - living up to your name again...????

Anyone who cares about fRoots doesn't care that you don't care...!!!

Your opinion here is of no importance.
Stick to what you are good at, and have earned some respect for...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: The Sandman
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 12:34 AM

fRoots deserves to continue, and at the very least cover costs, online...
Why, it is of no interest to me in any form or shape, I would prefer to support living tradition

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 10:31 PM

The era of paper, ink, and cover mounted CDs is nearly over...

We should welcome internet publications with downloadable media,
as the most viable, cost effective, and green evolution...

We shouldn't resist it out of stubborn habit.

If given support from current subscribers,
fRoots deserves to continue, and at the very least cover costs, online...

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 09:53 PM

We had a subscription for a good few years in the 1990s. The mag, to its credit, diversified into world music, but we found that, less and less, it wasn't catering for our personal tastes, and we weren't that interested in the majority of the articles, so we stopped subscribing. It wasn't the mag, it was just us. I'm really sorry to hear this news.

Subject: RE: fRoots suspending publication
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 09:19 PM

Sad news indeed!

Subject: fRoots suspending publication
From: Reinhard
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 07:36 PM

fRoots Magazine Statement, 2nd July 2019