A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival

Subject: A challenge
From: EBarnacle
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:04 PM

Several times over the last few years, I have created a Clearwater Revival thread. There have been complaints that the event is not "folk" enough, that there is not enough space for grass root participation, etc.

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE Revival is in the process of changing and developing. In my capacity as one of the event coordinators for the Revival, I take it upon myself to call for tapes and CD's to hand to the Talent Committee. Other than collecting and handing the stuff in, I have no input to this committee. Hiring is complete for the 2006 event. It is now time to start working to get into the 2007 event as talent.

THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT. I cannot guarantee that you will get what you want but here's your opportunity.

You can send them to me at my home:

Eric P. Russell
2664 East 18th Street, 3F
Brooklyn, New York   11235

Subject: RE: A challenge
From: Amos
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:16 PM

Clearwater Revival thread from 2002

From 1999

From 2003 and 2002-2003

From 2004

Hope these help elucidate matters.


A

Subject: RE: A challenge
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 06:41 PM

Hi Eric
Nice to here from you. What's the dead line for 2007 & are they attempting to gearing a little more towards folk music? The reason I ask about the time for a dead line is the Charlie Nobel is hot on my tail for doing a CD which may I start working on in the couple of months. That year you had me up for singing shanties (bad year for singing outside anywhere) they seemed to lean heavy on the singer/songwritter & world music acts, might this change (I know, I asked this 2 different ways now.
How to see you at Mystic this year.
Barry

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: bbc
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 07:58 PM

I'd consider going again, if it got folkier.

bbc

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: Duane D.
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 08:59 PM

Likewise from me. In recent years it has become a haven of commercial singer/songwriter popular music and not the folk vision as the original intent. I've been away for many years, but would consider returning if the original intention of this festival was revitalized.

Duane.

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 20 Feb 06 - 09:31 PM

Good luck Eric!   Pardon the pun, but I think the ship has sailed. The Revival has evolved as has the music.

I'm looking at the program from the 1978 Revival. The Watersons, Elizabeth Cotton, Arlo Guthrie, John Jackson, Steve Goodman, the Greengrass Cloggers, John Roberts & Tony Barrand, Utah Phillips, Louis Kilen, Grant Rogers, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Leon Redbone. I remember that it was the first and only time I had the opportunity to see Martin, Bogan & The Armstrongs. There was music from Southern Itlay, native Americans, Afrida, France and so many other cultures.   I remember being in awe of all the incredible music and having the opportunity to hear these names.

Perhaps it is a question of age, but as I attended the festival in recent years I keep seeing the same names and hear very little traditional music from other cultures. The incorporation of commercial rock and jazz changed the image of the festival. It would be wonderful to go to a festival and be blown away again.   Actually, the Old Songs Festival has replaced that feeling for me. Each year they continuely offer exciting performers from around the globe, plus they know what their core audience wants to see.   I wonder if the Clearwater really knows what their core audience is anymore.

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 12:04 AM

I'd have to echo Ron.
Old songs is the only festival the whole family (wife & 2 teens) will attend. For the same reasons.
My belief is that's the same reason why Estiadford (SP?) in southern Mass. died (I don't have any idea of the real reasons, but it's why I stopped going), maybe someone who knows might say why. Newport (?) Festival I don't even consider since I last attended, I think in 68.
Ever positive
Barry

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 10:57 AM

Yes, the festival continues to evolve. The way to help it evolve in your direction is to make sure that they can at least consider your material.

I agree that many of the groups are "commercial." One of the things I have learned in the art business is that if you work for free or don't make a living, you starve. I would rather that we were our old, pure selves doing our old, pure stuff but we have to show the festival committee that there enough of us out there to justify going in that direction.

I recently did a demographic study of our ticket sales. 90% came from a 20 mile radius of the festival site. Show me a way to bring in people from outside the circle and we will act on it.

I have been fighting to keep our circle of song in existence. It looks as though I have succeeded by pointing out that much of the problem management is having is due to telling the people at the circle what they want done.

PS, Barry, There is not a close deadline for next year but it will be sometime during the summer. I am going to be crass and ask you to send me an extra for myself when you do send the CD along. Eric

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 11:43 AM

Barry - good luck with your CD! I hope I can receive a copy to share with my listeners. I have heard you sing and I know it will be a magnificent CD!

Eric - I agree that you in business you have to do things in order to survive, but the "problem" that I have seen with Clearwater is that they do not have a clear business plan. By trying to appeal to a wide range of audience, they suceed in pleasing no one. I would not got o Ozzfest to see shanty singing, nor would I go to the Philadelphia Folk Fest to see Madonna. Each entity has a clear vision of what they are trying to present. Clearwater seems to have lost that. The environmental message is the clear reason they do the event, but the "packaging" in recent years has left a lot to be desired.

I think it is telling when you say that 90% of the audience comes from a 20 mile radius.   While all festivals draw strongly from a local crowd, there should be reasons that will draw people from a wider range - as events such as Falcon Ridge, Old Songs and Philly do.

Another observation - the event is 4 months away.   The website does not list a single performer who will be attending. If I lived in another state and wanted to plan a vacation or weekend trip to attend a festival, I would make plans in advance. Other festivals that are happening around that time have already listed their performers and sent out press releases.   If I was interested in rock music and wanted to travel to a festival, perhaps I would have made plans to go to Bonnaroo, which happens the same weekend. If I wanted traditional music, I may have booked time to attend Old Songs, which happens the following weekend.   

The Clearwater may not be able to support a "traditional" folk fest in this day and age, but it is questionable if the current fare is going to sustain the event.   What was once a major event on the east coast has become just another gathering without a compelling reason to attend. By appearances, Clearwater has turned into a local event that does not put any emphasis on the music. The expectation is that locals will turn out, just as they would for the annual carnival that comes through town. It appears to be just another fundraiser.

Again, I do hope that they can turn things around. For the first 10 years or so, I counted the days until the Great Hudson River Revival. It was always exciting and I new I would hear something new. Now I attend sporadically. The last time I went, I left after 3 hours.

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: Barry Finn
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 01:10 PM

Eric, would Mystic be soon enough for a couple copies? That's assumming you'll be there.

Hi Ron & thanks & sure. You're to kind (blush).
Barry

Subject: RE: A challenge: Clearwater Hudson River Revival
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Feb 06 - 06:42 PM

I regret that Lady Hillary and I will not be at Mystic.