Montreal Folk Alliance Conference

Subject: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Alonzo M. Zilch (inactive)
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:50 PM

I'm a volunteer at the Folk Alliance Conference next Thursday to Sunday. I don't know yet what jobs they have for me, but I work a 4-hour shift each day and then get to take in the rest of the conference and all the music.

Anybody else going?

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Peace
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 03:31 PM

Hey, Alonzo. If you see Penny L around, please say hello to her from me. And to Mike R. Ten to one he'll be there for sure.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: DebC
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 12:24 PM

I'll be there.

Deb Cowan

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Beer
Date: 20 Feb 05 - 02:38 PM

Will be taking in the great show at the Sala Rosa:
7:30 Angela Desveaux
8:00 David Francey
8:30 April Verch
9:00 Polyjesters
9:30 Lynn Miles
10:00 Harry Manx
10:30 Sue Foley
11:00 Valdy
11:30 The Marc Atkinson Trio
12:00 The Bills
Should be great

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 01:31 PM

I will be there too! I'm on the Adirondack leaving Penn Station in NYC on Wednesday morning. Any other 'catters coming via train?

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Amos
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 02:19 PM

What a fine trip that will be, Ron!

A

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 21 Feb 05 - 05:24 PM

I'll be there with my bandmates Margaret Nelson and Kate Early. We're doing a performance lane set 12:30ishly Thursday night/Friday morning.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 09:37 AM

I look forward to seeing the group Phil! I've really enjoy the music you are creating, as does my radio audience.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: GUEST,Paul Kaplan
Date: 22 Feb 05 - 08:16 PM

Hi Folks! I'll be driving up on Thursday with Richard Berman. I'm doing showcases on Thursday at 7:45, room Mont-Royal and Saturday night/Sunday morning Martin Guitar Showcase, 12:25-12:40. Come say Hi!

Paul Kaplan

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 28 Feb 05 - 05:30 PM

It was great meeting you in person, Ron. We had a great time there.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 12:08 AM

It was really good to meet you too Phil! Thank you for the wonderful CD! It will be receiving a lot of spins on my show!

There were an obscene number of musicians at the Folk Alliance! I only saw 1/10th of the artists I had wished to, and I was still overwhelmed! I came back with 82 new CD's!!!

One of the most memorable nights was the traditional music showcases. Standing room only!!! Margaret MacArthur is a treasure!   The same should be said for John Roberts, Joe Hickerson, Finest Kind and all of the other artists who participated. Someone said that those showcases were sparked by Andy Cohen, who is an incredible artist and human being.

I love Montreal and I had my obligatory smoked meat sandwich which was wonderful, but I drew the line at the bagels. I don't care what anyone says, New York bagels are the best in the world. Fuggadeaboutit!!

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 04:24 PM

Ron, I liked the Montreal bagels. If you're ever in Chicago, you should get bagels in Skokie. There are some of the best outside of New York. Joe Hickerson was remarking that he had a great time at the ballad showcase. It was great running in to John & Tony, along with Margaret McArthur at the Vermont song panel and later at lunch in the exhibit hall.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 09:36 PM

Gosh I wish I would have met you Ron. I did a little spot in the Performance alley on Thursday as " Ragged But Right ". I was overwhelmed with the amount of traditional music played by extremely competent young players and singers at the Folk Alliance. I think some of the young artists have more going for them theses days musically speaking than perhaps many of the previous generation of players. Some of them are technically trained having had the privelege of early music schooling that their parents may not have had, and are now using those skills performing traditional music with a creative and respectful approach. Some of those I saw were: Lissa Shnekenberger, Crooked Still, Uncle Earl, Le Vent Nord, The Bills, The Lonesome Sisters, just to mane a few. Awesome! I feel so good that the muse can carry on and if these folks can get gigs, younger audiences can get interested - I think it's happening.
Arnie Naiman

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Mar 05 - 10:17 PM

Arnie, I wish I knew you were there! I would have loved to meet you!       I have your CD's with Chris Coole, do you do similar material with Ragged but Right?

I agree with you about the younger performers. There is hope for the future!   The only problem I've noticed is that the audience still tends to be older than the performer, but I hope that will change. At any rate, folk music is meant to be played, not merely observed. I hope they keep up the great music!

Just remembered another performer who knocked me out - Monsieur Lambert and Compagnie!   What a great fusion of sounds and traditions as well as age and youth!

By the way, I hope some of you might consider coming to NERFA in November. It is a bit smaller, but still draws 600 to 700 people. I would love to put together some workshops on traditional music for NERFA. If anyone is interested, please send me a private message.

Subject: RE: Montreal Folk Alliance Conference
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 02 Mar 05 - 07:36 AM

Ron, Ragged But Right is a duo with my wife Kathy and we sing a lot of old time songs - Delmore, Dave Macon , Charlie Poole and throw in other stuff too including banjo instrumentals. We don't have a recording yet.
Chris Coole was around as well playing banjo/fiddle with Erynn Marshall. They have a CD coming out in a few months.
Don't know about NERFA yet but thanks for the tip.