tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post3211160745388684432..comments2024-03-22T01:04:20.640-04:00Comments on Ted Lehmann's Film, Books, Music & Commentary: A Prediction and Some Thoughts for PromotersTed Lehmannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12948477139450253563noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-16301879596690396332008-05-09T15:16:00.000-04:002008-05-09T15:16:00.000-04:00Byron - Thanks for your comment. What you say real...Byron - Thanks for your comment. What you say really doesn't surprise me because it strikes me that bluegrass gospel fans are similar to regular bluegrass fans only more conservative. That is, they love bluegrass, but prefer the content to be mostly or exclusively Biblical in nature. It's much like the split between pop music and Christian pop. These days, the music is nearly indistinguishable, but the content may or may not be considerably different. - TedTed Lehmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12948477139450253563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-690495961079225402008-05-09T14:43:00.000-04:002008-05-09T14:43:00.000-04:00Ted, as someone that books Southern Gospel acts on...Ted, as someone that books Southern Gospel acts on a regular basis, I just wanted to let you know that we have the same issues that Bluegrass folks do. There was a time that Southern Gospel bands would sell-out large stadiums, arenas, conventions, etc.. nowadays it's like pulling teeth to get fans to walk across the street to a local Baptist church to see a big time group, even for just the price of a love offering.<BR/><BR/>We have fickle fans as well. They want to hear the traditional 4-part quartets with just a piano or rythm guitar, but you throw a drum or electric guitar in the mix and they'll boycott you. And then there are those that want a more progressive gospel sound with keyboards, drums, and the works but they won't sit through 4 guys and a piano player. <BR/><BR/>The bands are suffering because of this too. Folks expect a 5-piece traveling band to come from 500 miles away on a bus loaded down with sound equipment and work for $100 love offering. That won't even cover their gas bill!<BR/>Josh Goforth described it nicely the other day when he said that folks want bluegrass musicians to work for a sandwhich but if you ask those people if they are willing to work all day at their own regular full-time job for just a sandwich they act like your crazy. <BR/><BR/>What is the answer? I have no idea. I guess it's one of those darned if you do and darned if you don't situations. I do know this much, if bluegrass fans, gospel fans, or whatever music fans don't want to see their beloved music die and go away, they are going to have to support the industry.Bro. Byronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10366098127671242691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-83559191200989149792008-05-08T12:18:00.000-04:002008-05-08T12:18:00.000-04:00I've only attended a few bluegrass festivals and, ...I've only attended a few bluegrass festivals and, at those events, more people seemed to attend to jam with their friends (old and new) than to actually see performances or even buy a real ticket. So maybe I shouldn't be commenting. <BR/><BR/>But I mostly agree with Ted (and Roger) and think that promoters may need to start thinking about being innovative and expanding their format a bit if they want more crowds. <BR/><BR/>First and foremost, I and my friends are music fans, not "bluegrass fans." And there are thousands of us in every city, small and large. We are not bluegrass purists, we are good music purists. So find a way to get us to come out... bring in some interesting non-bluegrass acts once in a while that would fit in with the overall weekend's sensibilities. Maybe have smaller stages for old time or a banjo competition or a guitar buy & sell or something... make it less about these same two dozen acts that appear endlessly in Blugrass Unlimited and more of "an event that no good music lover would pass up." <BR/><BR/>I realize this is going to turn off some bluegrass purists (I'm sure you roll your eyes at the current Telluride Bluegrass Festival and it's non-bluegrass lineup) but frankly that niche bluegrass purist audience is getting smaller and smaller. <BR/><BR/>You couldn't pay me to see Goldwing. Went to their website today and saw the Indian head dress thing and thought "are these guys from Branson?" and sure enough.. they are (or at least play there a lot) ... patriotic or not, that's not what I want to see. That's something for my grandparents. I want interesting music that features bluegrassers at the top of their game and other acts that I might enjoy. Tony Rice playing jazzy stuff is something I would pay good money to see... and with a little push from local media (spotlighting how one of the greatest guitarists of all time is coming to so-and-so festival, I think other music lovers around here would, too. The minute you embrace diversity you will gain new fans twofold for all that you lose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-302582495823343862008-05-08T09:10:00.000-04:002008-05-08T09:10:00.000-04:00I have seen Goldwing Express at festivals. They ...I have seen Goldwing Express at festivals. They regularly run over their time by a good 20+ minutes delaying the other acts and extending a long evening. Performers I know that regularly appear at festivals told me that GW does that on a regular basis without any regard to their fellow performers. They also said groups hate following GW because they constantly run over.<BR/><BR/>The last time they were at a festival I attended I didn't even watch their show. With all that said, they appear to be a crowd favorite and strictly performance wise, they put on a good show.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-69846279568059889642008-05-08T06:33:00.000-04:002008-05-08T06:33:00.000-04:00When I read this I don't know how any of the bands...When I read this I don't know how any of the bands, or the promotors, make it all work. Just too much overhead.<BR/><BR/>As a fan, and a player, I think we need to be open minded and give the performers and promotors a little slack. I know one musician who was getting ready to go on stage and a fan said if he didn't play the songs she wanted she was going to leave.<BR/><BR/>My thought about that is they guy can't write a set list that will make everyone happy- it would be 3000 songs long. <BR/><BR/>I'm just glad the cat is there, and has devoted a lifetime to his art and is willing to share it with me.<BR/><BR/>As far as Goldwing, I have never seen them, but I do always remember unless one is Native American we are by definition immigrants.<BR/><BR/>Dr. BAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-10320575274148454582008-05-07T22:02:00.000-04:002008-05-07T22:02:00.000-04:00Roger - Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Of cour...Roger - Thanks for the thoughtful comment. Of course, your line-up is exactly the kind of varied and balanced one I'm recommending in my post. It contains all the elements that can be brought together to make a great festival. See you there. - TedTed Lehmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12948477139450253563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7211910878271447535.post-57147646193939868312008-05-07T21:33:00.000-04:002008-05-07T21:33:00.000-04:00Ted,You have made some interesting points. As the...Ted,<BR/>You have made some interesting points. As the person who books the acts for the Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in East Hartford, CT, I can tell you that I do tend to look for the National acts to fill the line-up each year. I love our local and regional bands but that is not what I have focused on for our annual festival.<BR/><BR/>I believe that fans can see their local/regional favorites many times in any given year and are used to seeing them many times with other bands for very little money. So why would that local fan pay four to ten times the amount to see their favorite local band in the midst of other local regional bands with a few national acts?<BR/><BR/>Second I can tell you that I have my 2009 line-up booked and put to bed except for a few offers that I am waiting for a response on. I have even booked acts for 2010 which will be our 15th year of existence.<BR/><BR/>We constantly hear of festivals closing their doors for many reasons but the biggest factor is attendance. Bluegrass fans can be a tricky bunch when planning a line-up. I have heard comments like "Great lineup except so and so is too contemporary for me so I'm not going." So, out of 26 hours of music, if there is one band that someone doesn't like they may not come at all to the event. Boy does that make planning a line-up tough!<BR/><BR/>The Board and myself at Podunk strive to put the best performers on the stage and I look to vary not only the type of Bluegrass Band but also consider the following: 1. look at lead singers (don't want all the same sounding bands playing for 4 hours straight), 2. make-up of the bands (will it be the same band you saw at the last festival you were at and loved or are their new players each week), 3. The hot band that has won awards and everyone wants to see and finally 4. try to bring something that you won't find at any other festival (this year's banjo extravaganza which it appears has been somewhat copied on May 15th).<BR/><BR/>There are those events that will cost much more based on the cost to run these events and there will be those local events that hopefully will promote local bands, introduce new fans to the music and get them excited about trying a festival.<BR/><BR/>My closing example of the frustration I can have with a Bluegrass fan is, we recently hosted a 5 band concert at our indoor venue. $10 advance ticket and we had about 250 folks attend. Everyone kept coming up to me and saying "Isn't this great, Isn't it nice to have so many people here". Boy it sure was nice to see, but I also know that those five bands won't work for me for $150 each since it was a CD release party for one of the bands they did it as a favor. Do the math, A National band for $3,000 to $4,000 plus sound $300 plus advertising $155 - $1,200 per ad plus room and board $500 for a total of $5,000 divided by 250 equals a $20.00 ticket. I need to sell out my shows to break even.<BR/> We will see the number of opportunities diminish for fans to see any national bands locally if people don't support venues and festival that are trying to put the best of the Bluegrass on display.<BR/>Respectfully Submitted,<BR/>Roger Moss, Promoter Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival<BR/>http://podunkbluegrass.netAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com