Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks

Subject: Potential Jobs for Folksingers
From: GUEST,Mike Miller
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 01:02 AM

An official from a group that funds programs in National Parks has asked for my assistance in creating a list of singers who are familiar with songs and stories of their own regions. These performers will be used in educational and informative settings at the actual park locations. If you are living near a national or state park and, if you can sing songs of your region and its history, and you are interested in placing your name on this list, contact me, directly, at [e-mail] or through the Phila. Folksong Society at [e-mail]
I am enthusiastic about this. It is well past time for exploiting the marvelous venue that parks offer.

                           Mike Miller

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers (USA)
From: jeffp
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:34 AM

Can't help directly, but I can bump it up to the top of the list. I think it's a great idea to put local music in the parks. I wish you great success!

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers (USA)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:39 AM

Brilliant idea - wish they'd do that in England.

I bet people have gone every year of their lives to Yarmouth on holiday without once hearing:-

Won't you come down to Yarmouth Town? like Peter Bellamy used to sing it.

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. P
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 10:57 AM

I think it is a terrific idea, too.

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. P
From: Susan of DT
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 06:32 PM

Mike - Do you want only self nominations or shall we send you lists? Not everyone reads mudcat. Also, do you want to include people who are not necessarily from that area, but know songs from several areas, including the one in which they currently reside? You would also want to check out the performers from the regionally-oriented festivals.

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks
From: bubblyrat
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 06:36 PM

It"s a criminal offence in England. National and local government would sooner commit collective suicide than allow the kind of thing you are talking about to happen in any British park or other open space ----the very thought of it !!!

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks
From: wysiwyg
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 08:33 PM

Mike's a friend of ours; he mentioned in a thread last week that he's been having some health problems. So I'd like to suggest that people near national and state parks contact him directly, rather than folks trying to make a list here or send him performer suggestions.

It would probably be helpful to specify what national or state park you're near (how near?), and what time period and/or subgenre is your specialty-- to let him know as much as you can so he's not tied up overly much getting you in contact with his contact person.

(hi Mike)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. P
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:16 PM

Friends have secured similar gigs with perqs of optional digs. (15 year plus) (sweat deal all the way around)

Unfortunately, there is not a musician nor a busker with Mudcat "membership" that I would select for such a permanent gig.

The jobs ARE there for interpretative history....but you MUST know history...scholars are watching...

Most theme parks also hire historical ...but they may require you to wear THEIR outfits....which are close... but not realy the "reel thing."

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. P
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:20 PM

Bottom Line

Study your history

Study your instruments

Study your studs

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. P
From: Sorcha
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 09:39 PM

My group has done this, with varying degrees of success at Reconstructed Ft. Laramie in SE Wyoming. We were part of the Volunteers in Parks program, and did NOT get paid but we did get mileage.

The Park Superintendent has a LOT to say about your presentation, etc. We were OK with all but one....and he is the reason we stopped doing it. He insisted on HIS version of 'authentic' dress.....and close wasn't good enough. He expected all of us to go out and buy real period reproduction clothing from the skin out. Yes, he actually checked our petticoats and expected 'civilian washerwomen' for the Army personell to wear hoops and corsets......visible buttons could be ONLY bone or pewter. No antler, wood, etc. We refused and quit playing. The customers/tourists still ask after us and it has been at least 9 years since we played there.

Don't want to scare anyone off, but there are things to check out first.

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks
From: GUEST,Mike Miller
Date: 04 Mar 07 - 11:45 PM

I thank Susan for her good wishes. I have, already heard from six regional singers, including one from Alaska. my understanding is that the funding orginization wants to find singers who live within easy driving distance of specific national parks so they can work for reasonable fees. As it was explained to me, this orginization deals, directly, with parks in the eastern US but they are in contact with parks across the nation so even the Alaskan might get some work out of this.
The response, thus far, has been swell. Even my pal, Dick Greenhaus, has offered to add some names.

                      Mike

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks
From: Barry Finn
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 12:22 AM

On the other hand I've had very positive dealings with the Park Service. Finn & Haddie did a few spots years ago, maybe 3 yrs in a row, at the national park in Salem, Mass. We were hired at an agreed amount to do sea shanties, it was a local sea festival & it was a very pleasant experience. We did something prior to that when a tall ships parade came through Boston, maybe 15+ yrs ago again it was a delight. We also did a stint at the Charlestown Navy Yard (run by the Park service). They were having a bit of a hard time pushing their aggenda because of their relationship with the Navy because of the USS Constitution but they were great & if they had their way that Navy Yard would've have become much more than it is now.
I tried to orginize a regular shanty session on board Old Ironsides while she was in dry dock but only got as far as doing a few under her bowsprit, the Navy blocked any thing that the Park Service & I tried when it came to singing on board. Gotta give the PS credit, they were really up for any musical or other cultural event that would showcase the Old Lady.

Barry

Subject: RE: Potential Jobs for Folksingers(USA) in Natl. Parks
From: GUEST,Mike Miller
Date: 05 Mar 07 - 08:28 AM

Like Barry, I have done many shows at park venues. They are a great market for traditional music.

                      Mike