Southwest Folk Alliance Music Conference 2012

It is Friday morning and I am here in Austin,Texas for the Southwest Folk Alliance Conference (www.swrfa.com) at my second seminar of the day.

For those of you who may be unaware, the Folk Alliance International (www.folk.org) has been putting on these regional and national folk alliance conferences once year each.  

And you should know that the "folk music" title is all encompassing and inclusive.   It includes literally all genre's of acoustic music.    From Mumford & Sons to Roger McGuinn to Judy Collins to Ani DiFranco to Klezmer music to bluegrass.   I mean it is broad and generous.

And by inclusive I also mean every level of expertise; from the day old amateur to the masters in the field.

Every time I come to one of these conferences, I learn something new about music, people, composing, performing, and of course, schmoozing.

There are live music jams, showcases, song circles and seminars going on almost the entire time you are here.    Go to www.folk.org and check it out.   A splendid time is guaranteed for all.

Tonight my partner, John Batdorf (www.johnbatdorfmusic.com) and I will be doing a main stage showcase, presenting our All Wood and Stones project (www.allwoodandstones.com).

Later in the evening there will be three floors of what they call guerilla showcases.  These are intimate showcases of artists either solo, in groups or in the round.    All the shows are unamplified, so you are hearing unadulterated and uneffected live music.    It is an experience you are unlikely to forget.

With all music on CD, LP, cassette, mp3, etc, it is easy to forget what a powerful experience hearing a live human performing live can be.   Do yourself a favor and go hear your favorite musician play live.   You owe it to them and to yourself.

The seminar I am presently attending is a panel of social media, marketing, and radio people.  They are expounding on how to take advantage of these various outlets.

I will post more later about who I heard play and who I would recommend you go and hear, live if you can; recorded if you can't. 

It is Friday morning and I am here in Austin,Texas for the Southwest Folk Alliance Conference, at my second seminar of the day.
For those of you who may be unaware, the Folk Alliance International has been putting on these regional and national folk alliance conferences once year each.  
And you should know that the "folk music" title is all encompassing and inclusive.   It includes literally all genre's of acoustic music.    From Mumford & Sons to Roger McGuinn to Judy Collins to Ani DiFranco to Klezmer music to bluegrass.   I mean it is broad and generous.
And by inclusive I also mean every level of expertise; from the day old amateur to the masters in the field.
Every time I come to one of these conferences, I learn something new about music, people, composing, performing, and of course, schmoozing.
There are live music jams, showcases, song circles and seminars going on almost the entire time you are here.    Go to www.folkalliance.org and check it out.   A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
Tonight my partner, John Batdorf (www.johnbatdorfmusic.com) and I will be doing a main stage showcase, presenting our All Wood and Stones project (www.allwoodandstones.com).
Later in the evening there will be three floors of what they call guerilla showcases.  These are intimate showcases of artists either solo, in groups or in the round.    All the shows are unamplified, so you are hearing unadulterated and uneffected live music.    It is an experience you are unlikely to forget.
With all music on CD, LP, cassette, mp3, etc, it is easy to forget what a powerful experience hearing a live human performing live can be.   Do yourself a favor and go hear your favorite musician play live.   You owe it to them and to yourself.
The seminar I am presently attending is a panel of social media, marketing, and radio people.  They are expounding on how to take advantage of these various outlets.
I will post more later about who I heard play and who I would recommend you go and hear, live if you can; recorded if you can't. 

Comments

[Eva]

You must be having a great time. Everything's so nice you told us twice :)

It sounds fantastic...a music lover's idea if heaven :)
Best to John as well.
ENJOY!!!

[roulette]

Thanks for sharing!