Notes from the Road – Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Day 3

Saturday, October 17 – After having to get up early on Friday for the workshop gig I elected to sleep in Saturday and miss the first workshops. Around 10 am I wandered up to get some breakfast and a gallon or two of coffee. I finished in time to hear the closing minutes of the “road dog” workshop headed by Jack Williams and Still on the Hill. Next was the presentation by Still on the Hill and people from the Folk Arts Center itself about Arkansas folk life, history and heritage. I was really glad I kicked myself out of bed for that! Very interesting and, as usual when Kelly and Donna are involved, high energy fun! Amazing instruments and techniques were demonstrated and at the end we were all assigned parts in a mass folk instrument ensemble. Quite unique!

Even though I’d had breakfast only a little while before I followed the crowd in for lunch and still ate my share. Meals are great gatherings at these events, always someone new to get to know. All of the meals have been provided buffet style and have been adequate, but it has been a challenge for those who are vegetarians – not me, of course. I’ve enjoyed the convenience and the staff has been first rate taking care of us.

The afternoon schedule included organizational meetings and mentoring sessions which, while interesting, were not how I wanted to spend my afternoon. Craving some fresh air, I walked out through the extensive and elaborate crafts village where shops offered goods for sale which are produced on site in traditional ways. There was a clothing shop that made 1800’s style men’s collarless shirts on at a time by hand on a foot pedal singer sewing machine. I HAD to have one of THOSE! In fact, I picked one that would be perfect to wear for my official showcase that night. I wandered through jewelry stores, a luthier shop where they were making various musical instruments, a soap shop, wood crafts, etc. Soon I’d satisfied my fresh air craving and headed back to the room to put new strings on the guitar and practice a bit.

Saturday night was my official showcase onstage in the conference center. Like FARM, there is no other activity taking place during the official showcases, so everyone attends. Also, the Folk Arts Center allows outsiders to attend the show for an admission fee. These are 20 minute sets, one right after the other from 6:45 until 10:30. My slot fell after Kim Richardson who I met earlier this year at the national conference in Memphis. She is an excellent performer, very high energy, very funny, a great writer, guitarist and vocalist – not an easy act to follow so I really needed to be sharp!

I chose four songs figuring that with my stories between I’d get 3 done with one in reserve. Kim Richardson did the expected blockbuster job and had the crowd really fired up when it came time for me to step to the microphone. Taylor Cafferty, one of our radio luminaries in attendance, had been tapped as an emcee for these events. He gave me a warm and kind introduction (some of it was even true!) and away I went. Since one of the focuses of the conference had been the building of community through music and having a “sense of place” I began by telling the audience a bit about where Florida through “State of Dreams.” Then I took them to the Keys for the story of the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 and “Hemmingway’s Hurricane,” followed by a bit of Florida moonshining history and “Yellow Butter Moon.” At that point I got the two minute warning and, not having a 2 minute song, I gave a quick intro and did an abbreviated version of “This Old House.” I leave it to someone else to evaluate the performance, but the crowd response was excellent and I really enjoyed the set myself (which I always take as a good sign). I think I will have a couple of videos of the show available and should be able to post some clips in the weeks to come.

So, with my performance done (and once my adrenaline allowed me to sit) I settled in for the rest of the show. Unfortunately I missed most of Laurie McLain’s set as well as Ed Peterson’s. But, based on prior experience I know they were both excellent. As with the previous evenings, there was one exceptional performance after another. Any one of the performers should be welcome in any venue or house concert in the country with stellar results. K.C. Clifford, Jamie Michaels and Louise Mosry all really impressed me. I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite act for Saturday, but if forced I’d have to go with Bill & Kate Isles from Minnesota. Bill’s song “Hobo’s in the Roundhouse” just floors me every time I hear it as does “Fences.” And, their total shtick and back and forth exchange on the “Kamasutra Polka” is just hilarious.

Soon it was time to head back to the room, have a little coffee and get ready for the private showcases. Only two for me on the last night and everyone approached things with a relaxed approach. I started with a solo set in Bill & Kate Isles’ showcase room following Ben Bedford and K.C. Clifford. While Ben and K.C. played their sets I warmed Kate and Ben’s wife, Kari Abate, with a little of the Irish Whiskey I miraculously had discovered in my bag – wonder how THAT got there?! When it came my turn to play I shared “Welcome Home,” “Break Some Stones” and “It Must Be You” with their crowd which, interestingly, included some of the “outsiders” who had purchased tickets to the official showcases and had managed to find their way back to the cabins for the private showcases – very nice!

I ran over to the Concerts In Your Home room to hear a couple of tunes from Roy Schneider – this guy has the stuff! Make sure you catch his show sometime. I was to finish up in our Florida showcase room and I got there in time to hear a couple of Larry Mangum’s tunes which is always a treat. Gloria Holloway and David Russell were there and we started talking about old cover songs. Larry had done one at the end of his set so while we worked on the Irish Whiskey, David and I played a couple, “Long Black Veil” and “Go My Way” I think were the two. I repeated “It Must Be You” to hear David play lead on it and he did a wonderful and tasteful job.

Things were really winding down, but I had one more stop to make. Kari Estrin always has a last night session at her showcase room and I wanted to stop by and say thanks for all of her hard work. I was too tired to play anymore and there were plenty of guitars already uncased anyway. Fran Snyder played a tune, then Roy Schneider put one on us, followed by David Llewellyn and Louise Mosry. About there the Irish Whiskey and my ability to stay vertical ran out simultaneously. I said my goodbyes and trudged back to the room for a last night of not enough sleep. Larry, of course, was already dead to the world so I quietly squared myself away and conked out myself.

The Departure and Travel Epilogue

Sunday, October 18 - Rest assured that 8:30 came WAY too early. Larry had already made coffee again (good man) and was loading up, anxious to get back to Florida. After infusing some caffeine I began to organize and pack. It’s always so much easier to pack to go home than to leave home. There’s no choosing what to take and you are less concerned about what condition things arrive in at the other end. So it’s more of a “stuff and haul” affair, much quicker. I was soon packed, loaded, showered and ready for Breakfast. I stepped out into the most beautiful cool, clear, sunny morning imaginable – figures, just when its time to leave.

I sat and ate breakfast with Kim Page and her husband Leon and Garrison Doles came over and joined us for coffee as well. We rehashed the conference / retreat and solved most of the world’s problems in short order. It’s a burden to be so wise and all knowing!

Goodbyes take a while, so many friends to hug and thank. But soon the airline schedule dictated that I get started on my 2 hour drive back to Little Rock. I am exhausted, but at the same time energized. The tremendous talent I saw here challenges me to work even harder at my craft and continue to grow as an artist. This was a superb atmosphere for making new connections with other artists and getting a sense of the heart of the Southeast Region moving forward. While actually booking gigs at conferences is great, validating your artistic focus and sharing it with your peers pays untold dividends, financially and otherwise. I see writing and gigging collaborations on the horizon with so many of these fine folks. Thanks again to the SERFA Board under Kari Estrin, John Stoecker and Denise Williams for putting on a great conference. Thanks also to the unsung heroes who worked hard getting the event set up, but were unable to attend themselves, Betty Friedrichsen and Christine Stay and Aiden Quinn of Friction Farm. Lastly, a huge thanks to the Ozark Folk Arts Center – you really treated us great and made us feel so welcome in your home!

Lastly a couple of travel notes. When things are done right (like how the airlines have treated me with my guitar, etc.) I try to give credit where credit is due. The same applies when things are done wrong. Travel Note #1 – avoid the Dallas / Ft. Worth airport at all costs. It is a poorly organized, poorly run and over crowded nightmare. If your only choice is to travel through DFW I suggest you buy a horse. It’ll be faster, much more comfortable and far less infuriating. It ranks right up there with O’Hare and Miami for being a giant pain in the @#!! and makes Atlanta seem like a walk in the park. Travel Note #2 – if you work in the “service industry”, remember that the word “service” literally in your job description. The two ladies working the counter at the Starbucks in DFW across from Gate C20 get my award for least likely to succeed at anything in life if they don’t improve their attitude. When the “Peter Principle” hits you at the counter at Starbucks you are really in trouble. They were obviously annoyed that I would ask what the flavor of the day was and when I was unfamiliar with it and asked whether is was light, medium or bold the woman at the counter sarcastically and with great teenager style attitude declared “I don’t know.” I was also informed they didn’t have any decaf brewed at the moment and were unsure when or if they would. Sure seems like in a time with record unemployment these two would be thankful for a job and be more cautious about losing it. Ok, that’s off my chest

Alright, as I write this I’m finally home in Orlando at 12:30 am, sipping a little o’ the Irish and waiting for my eyes to slam shut involuntarily. Tomorrow I’ll get my Kendall fix!



– see you soon!!

Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"
Doug Spears
36 Interlaken Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242
dcsnole@yahoo.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears
http://www.myspace.com/dougspears
http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Day 2

Notes from the Road – Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Day 2

Friday, October 16th – OK, so where was I? Oh yeah, I was asleep. So, this morning I had to get up early because SOMEBODY (Kelly, it was you! Or was it Donna – don’t remember) tagged me for the panel in a workshop on writing about your home place, your culture, etc. at 9:45 am, so sleep was curtailed long before I would have liked! Anyway, Larry got up before me and made coffee (he’ll make someone a lovely husband – oh, hey Christy!) so I was able to open my eyes at least partially.

After a quick breakfast I headed over to the workshop. There were 8 of us on the panel and 12 folks in the room (including the panel) – hmmm . . .. me thinks others felt SLEEPING was more interesting!! On well, that was my knee jerk reaction as well. However, I have to say that the discussion amongst those in attendance was lively and very intriguing. As usual, when I’m on the “teaching” end of things I tend to learn more than anyone else. I swear that Steve Blackwell was in the room. Someone asked, “how do we get people to get out in their own back yards?” For those of us familiar with Steve’s music, does that sound familiar?!! The discussion evolved into the role of music, folk music in particular, in building and maintaining community. Much food for thought in what was brought up regarding the lost art of shared music, ‘self entertainment’ and the passing on of art forms generationally by participation. All of these things played such a large role in people’s leisure / social time before radio and TV and now are rare at best.

While, I was a firm and continuous grouser about the geographical location of this conference and the effect distance was likely to have on attendance, I have to concede that “I get it.” The Folk Arts Center here is uniquely suited for the purposes of SERFA – in fact, it is dedicated to the very thing we all pursue as folk artists, the preservation and perpetuation of our art form. I am proud of our Florida contingent, 6 artists (plus some spouses) and 2 presenters strong. While we had the furthest to travel we have demonstrated the strength and vitality of the folk community in Florida and have carried the banner proudly. Other than Arkansas, we may be the best represented state in the region, though I do not have the official numbers on that. I hope that next year even more folks will make the commitment and take the journey, it is a wonderful place.

I don’t know the actual attendance numbers, but I’m guessing around 75 – 100. In that group are some prominent radio personalities from the region: Taylor Cafferty of WRKF in Baton Rouge who has 25+ years experience as an independent folk dj; Mike Flynn of Folk Sampler, a syndicated folk radio show carried by over 160 stations; and Michael Jonathon, the originator and host of the Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour which is broadcast on radio and televised in 180 countries around the world. It is a unique opportunity to get to interact with these folks one on one and share music with them.

I took some time off to practice and rest in the afternoon. We’ll still haven’t had any sun and the chilly weather with no sunlight starts to drain my batteries in a big way. But, I re-energized by supper time and headed to the restaurant for a bite with the gang before the evenings showcases got under way.

The official showcases were quite good one and all. Jack Williams turned in his usual outstanding performance to tremendous applause. 3 Penny Acre, a four piece group from Fayetteville was also outstanding. Ben Bradford and his bride, Kari Abate, showed why he topped the folk charts with his music this year in their set just before the break. However, it was David Llewellyn that truly blew me away. First, David is just now recovering from a near catastrophic collision between his left hand and a power saw only six weeks ago. It very nearly took his thumb and the entire side of his left hand off and required extensive surgery, pins and a cast to reattach – really not good for a guitar player!! He has only had the cast off for a couple of days and will start rehab next week. Nevertheless, he played beautifully through the obvious pain and floored me with his song of a Welsh coal minor taking his young son down into the mines for the first time to begin a life of hopeless labor. For me it was the stand out show of the evening.

I missed the last few showcases to, again, get some rest and tune up before my private showcases for the evening. I started off in Kari Estrin’s Suite at 11:30 with a very nice crowd that included Kari, David Llewellyn, Ed Peterson (Nashville), Andy Cohen (Memphis), Jan Seides (Austin), our own Gloria Holloway, Ronnie Cox and a couple of others. I was informed by Kari that my song Hemingway’s Hurricane won an award from American Songwriter Magazine! I didn’t even know and haven’t been able to find out what or when! So, I played that and, at Gloria’s insistence, several other of my Florida tunes in my allotted time.

Next I headed over to Bill & Kate Isles Present for a round with Bill & Kate and a young writer I’ve just met here, Adam Klein. They were running a bit behind so I got to hear a little of Lauren Lapointe’s set with them and our Larry Mangum. When it was my turn we swapped into the seats and, again, enjoyed a fine audience that included Gary Gordon, Ben and Kari Abate - Bedford, Jan Seides, Kim Richardson, Louise Mosrie, Pete Leary, and a member of 3 Penny Acre who’s name (because I have a small and weak mind) I simply can’t remember. It was a great round and Bill video’d a part of it so hopefully I’ll be able to share that at some point.

Then to Concerts in Your Home with Fran Snyder. Due to the schedule lag at Bill & Kate’s I was about 15 – 20 minutes late getting there which is death for having any crowd. So, Fran, Lauren Lapointe and I sat and swapped songs, guitar pull style, passing Fran’s nice Taylor back and forth instead of uncrating our own. I neglected to mention Fran in my rehash of the official showcases for the evening – he also turned in a stand out performance there. If you haven’t visited Concertsinyourhome.com, you should. It is the ultimate house concert resource in the country. Check it out!

Ok, so its 1:30ish – time to go get off my feet. Larry is already in bed again with the lights out (poor old fella), but I went ahead and turned a light or two on, poured myself a bracer and sat talking to old sleepy head for a bit. After doing a little computer work and reading a few stories in Bob Patterson’s book I called it a night around 3:30. Hmmmm, short of sleep again tomorrow I guess. Ah well!!

Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"
Doug Spears
36 Interlaken Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242
dcsnole@yahoo.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears
http://www.myspace.com/dougspears
http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – Southeast Regional Folk Alliance (SERFA) Day 1

Well, on to the next Folk Alliance Conference, this time in Mountain View, Arkansas at the Ozark Folk Center, a State Park facility dedicated to the preservation of the folk arts. It is a terrific facility, if not ideally located to encourage maximum attendance being in the farthest northwest corner of the region, and I’m really looking forward to it.

My day started at 6 am EST, which is actually 5 am where I was headed. With my daughter, Jessi’s, considerable help I had everything prepared and packed the night before, so I rolled out of bed, showered and headed for the airport. Miraculously my travel from Orlando through Dallas connecting to Little Rock, AR was uneventful – was able to get my guitar on board without hassle (thanks American Airlines), my flights were on time, my baggage came through and my rental car was ready and waiting. I even ran into Cheryl Paige and husband Leon in the airport at Little Rock (they were waiting for a shuttle that runs once a day up to the center, but I got a good deal on a car and preferred the independence. So, by a little after 2 pm (Central) I was winding my way northwest out of Little Rock toward Mountain View.

Though the day was grey and overcast, what a beautiful drive. Once out of Little Rock I traveled through farmlands and small towns climbing up into the Ozarks. Its cool here (low 50’s) and the leaves are in full change. Folks in Arkansas are not aggressive drivers so in those parts where there was any traffic it was a low key affair.

My room mate for the trip is Jacksonville’s Larry Mangum who arrived a day earlier. He had left a phone message asking that I acquire some liquid refreshment of the adult variety before I got to Mountain View, which is a small little place and has no liquor stores. I should have taken care of that before leaving Little Rock. I passed 62,000 churches of every conceivable denomination, at times three or four next door to each other in a row (ok, maybe only 50,000, but A LOT) and not one liquor store of any description. No beer or wine in the supermarkets either, I checked. I thought of stopping at one of the Baptist churches to talk to the groundskeeper (they always know where to get locally manufactured whiskey), but just thought I’d better press on. I have a little sippin’ tonic with me and I’ll have to share it sparingly.

The drive took about 2 ½ hours and the last part through the mountains was particularly winding and climbing. However, I enjoy the mountain roads and the scenery. Saw a couple of deer, a red fox and a big hawk soaring the thermals over a big lake impoundment near Greer. Really pretty. But I was getting tired (traveling does that you know) and anxious to get to the center in time to join everyone for supper, so I pushed on through without dawdling to admire the landscape much.

Upon arrival I got checked in, registered, found Larry and the room, tossed my stuff out of the car and hustled over to the restaurant for supper. I was in hyper mode and really had to work at winding down as all I could think of was things I needed to do. I wolfed down my buffet meal while said my hellos to all the familiar faces - Jack and Judy Williams, Ronny Cox, Ray Lewis, Kelly and Donna Mulholland, Jaime Michaels, Lauren Lapointe, Denise Williams, Gloria Holloway, Daniel and Ellen Boling, Kari Estrin, John Stoecker, Bill and Kate Isles and on and on and on. My apologies to the many I didn’t list specifically. Then I hustled over to the main conference area to put my materials on the exhibit table, spread out the bags of Cracker Crunch (what I’m calling my Chex mix now) and then whirled back to the room to change before the evening showcases. Whew!!!

I finally managed to settle into relax mode (after a phone call with Ron Litschauer about the mastering progress on Welcome Home and a call home to my bride). I went up to hear the first of the official showcases (mine slot is on Saturday) and enjoyed nice sets from Lauren Lapointe (Savannah, Ga.), Chico Schwall (Oregon) and my buddy Larry Mangum, who did a particularly good set including his tribute to Gamble Rogers, I Knew the Last Troubadour. Then I ducked out for a little rest (coffee) and practice before my private showcases for the evening.

My first showcase was a songwriters’ round in the New Mexico room hosted by Daniel and Ellen Boling. They really went all out setting up the room with chairs, lighting and décor. I was honored to be in the round with Jack Williams and Ronnie Cox, two of the best on the circuit. Jack is an unparalleled writer, singer and, particularly, guitar player. Ronnie, though better known as a actor (Deliverance, Beverly Hills Cop, Murder at 1600 and, most recently, Imagine That) is a tremendous touring folk musician who has earned a lot of attention in the past few years for his musicianship. We had a wonderful 1 hour round swapping tunes for a full room. I thoroughly enjoyed it and had looked forward to it as one of the highlights of this conference. I wasn’t disappointed!

Following us came Kelly and Donna Mulholland, Daniel Boling and Jamie Michaels. I was able to stay for only part of their set as I had a show to do in our Florida showcase room at 12:30 a.m., so at the appropriate time I slipped out. The Florida Room is being hosted by Ray Lewis from Jacksonville. I was following Larry Mangum and enjoyed hearing some new tunes from Larry. When it came my time Roy Schneider (Naples FL) had joined us in the room. I had missed Roy’s official showcase earlier in the evening so after a couple of tunes I invited him to step in for a couple. Wow, great stuff! Roy was a finalist in the Kerrville New Folk showcase this year and I can see why. What a treat to get to hear some of his material! Then I took back over and finished out the set at 1:00 am.

Now, a day that starts at 5 am and ends at 1 am is a long day, I don’t care who you are. So I headed back to the room (where Larry was already trying to get to sleep), had a small snort of that fine amber liquid I’d brought along and read a few stories in “Forgotten Tales of Florida” just released by my friend Bob Paterson in St. Augustine. By 1:45 it was lights out in more ways than one!! More tomorrow.

Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"

Doug Spears

36 Interlaken Road

Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242

dcsnole@yahoo.com

www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears

http://www.myspace.com/dougspears

http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – FARM Day 3

Having gotten in so late, I really didn’t expect to be up and about in time for the 9:30 workshops. However, at a little after 8 a.m. I could sleep no more though I clearly needed to. So, down to breakfast I went leaving Judy to another day in the city with our pals.

After a quick buffet breakfast with Steve Jerrett [KOPN FM] I caught the last half of Bill Isles’ creative imagination workshop and then milled about with folks in the exhibits area until the lunch break. I was able to acquire lunch companions (Joan Hellman of AACTMAD and Mary Postellon of the Grand River Folk Arts Society) and enjoyed a good lunch on top of the big buffet breakfast – always good to keep your body fueled when its low on sleep.

After lunch came the Folk DJ panel discussion. Lots of good information offered by the DJ’s on submitting material, appearing for live shows, radio play and contact etiquette came from the 7 DJ’s participating and all were very open and direct in answering questions from the considerable crowd. These workshops are the most valuable, letting you get the word directly from the horse’s mouth on the workings of folk radio, both standard broadcast and internet.

Following the panel discussion was a more informal meet and greet reception with all of the DJ’s giving everyone an opportunity to connect a face with a CD, provide their latest product and give a little pitch about their material. Much like the national conference, but on a smaller scale, this is much like speed dating. It helps the shyer folks get over the hesitation to approach DJ’s with their CD’s – that’s the expressed purpose of the reception so all DJ’s have their hand out so to speak. I had already put mine in the hands of most of the DJ’s on Thursday or Friday, so I could be a little more relaxed and just socialize.

Another unique feature of FARM I forgot to mention. Each day, before and after the official showcases, there are two rooms of “Performance Lane” showcases. These are 10 minute slots for artists attending who were not selected for an official showcase performance. Sort of like a sign up open mic I attended a few of these and was, again, impressed with the caliber of performances from very experienced and well established artists.

Saturday night’s official showcases were, again, exceptional. I hesitate to highlight anyone for fear of implying someone else was not as good – not at all. However, I particularly liked Mark Dvorak’s set (his trio actually) and the performance of Tom Kastle, who rendered his interpretations, accapella, with guitar and with concertina, of traditional maritime ballads. Great stuff.

Well, it’s the last night so no reason to crash early, though I have to admit I was feeling very fuzzy around the edges. I spent a lot of time in the hallway chatting with this one and that about one thing or another (gig swapping, etc. and generally yucking it up) and then went into the song swap room to listen (no guitar) a while before trundling off to bed. However, at one point I stepped back out into the hall (to go refill my covert flask of amber liquid). I was corralled by Heather Styka and Amy Dixon-Kolar who had concluded they’d prefer a smaller song circle elsewhere and invited me to join them. So, I went and grabbed the guitar and we connived our way into an unused (and probably off limits) board room. Fully assembled, the group included those mentioned, as well as Andrew Calhoun (Waterbug Records), Jane Godfrey and David Hawkins, as well as some listeners, Dave Humphreys (Two Way Street Coffeehouse in Chicago), Randy Styka (Heather’s proud Dad) and a couple of hotel guests who just happened to hear a couple of tunes in the lobby and begged to be included for the private show.

My now not so secret amber liquid (Dalmore single malt, if you must know) was quite popular with the gathered and I soon had to dash upstairs for another refill. All so well worth it! We played and laughed the night / morning away. Before we knew it 4:00 a.m. it was. We unanimously called it a night and wandered off to find horizontal comfort. My head finally hit the pillow with a satisfying thud at about 4:30. What a tremendous finale to a really rewarding conference.

Sunday Checkout

Well, all good things must end. I forced myself out of bed at about 10:15 and began packing up. After a shower to try to wake myself better I went downstairs to collect my display materials. Lots of goodbyes to those in the lobby checking out and beginning their drives home. I was the one having traveled the farthest to be there so I was one of only a few going to catch a plane – most had a long day on the road ahead of them.

Many many thanks to Sandy Andina, Susan Urban, Joan Hellman, Annie Capps and all of the FARM volunteers who really put on a great conference. As a result of my visit I’ll be doing a Midwest tour in the summer of 2010 and am really looking forward to it! Thanks again FARM, I’ll be back!


Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"
Doug Spears
36 Interlaken Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242
dcsnole@yahoo.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears
http://www.myspace.com/dougspears
http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – Folk Alliance Midwest, Day 2

Notes from the Road – Folk Alliance Midwest, Day 2

Ok, so the weathermen in Chicago are no better than those in Orlando. The rain kept up throughout the day Friday. But, it really doesn’t matter as I’ve been indoors all day anyway. Friday started off with a leisurely breakfast in the room with Judy as the first workshops at 9:30 weren’t of pressing interest to me (mostly just general peer group discussions). So, after coffee and room service I finally got dress and headed down for the 11:00 a.m. House Concert workshop / discussion with Fran Snyder.

All artists agree that house concerts are the future for folk, acoustic and singer / songwriter music. And, all presenters and audience members who have been exposed to house concerts agree that it is the best way to hear the music. However, all report falling attendance numbers at shows and all have frustration about how to turn that tide. Though the economy may certainly be a factor, most presenters in the discussion did not feel like money is the issue, though for some acts the difference between an artist donation of $15 and $12 might increase the audience by 10% or 15%, which in most cases is a wash on the door receipts, but increases the number of folks hearing the music and possibly joining the mailing list and / or buying CD’s. The challenge, most everyone agrees, is continuing to motivate people to leave their cocoons of computers, flat screen TV’s, and other life demands competing for their time to hear live acoustic music. Clearly the quality of music and settings are there, but the trick is to get the core group “reinvested” in supporting the series.’ While no clear answers or solutions were offered in the short time of the discussion, it was comforting (I suppose) to know that folk clubs, long standing house concerts and high caliber artists in all parts of the country are experiencing the same trends and struggles. We in Florida are not alone. Without exception, all the artists who spoke up said they would still rather play for a small crowd of 15 – 30 at a house concert than rely on the venues to provide a platform for their material. So, all you presenters and potential presenters out there, take heart! Let’s keep on keepin’ on and work together to find creative ways to grow our audiences.

Judy spent the day out with friends we have here in Chicago, so I took some time midday back in the room to rehearse and plan for my showcase. Short presentations like this are much more difficult than full shows. You have only a four or five song window to capture and hold your audience. It only takes one misstep in the performance (whether it be choice of material, manner of presentation or quality of performance) to lose a substantial sector of your audience with no time to win them back. I settled on a four song set (giving myself time for my stage patter and stories that are an essential part of my show) of (1) Do You (uplifting, upbeat, positive message) (2) Yellow Butter Moon (good story, catchy tune, fun lyrics) (3) Hemingway’s Hurricane (another good story, powerful message and driving rhythm) and (4) This Old House (nice melody and heart warming sentiment).

In all of this activity I kind of (not kind of, actually) skipped lunch. Figured I’d eat a very early dinner so I’d have no issues singing by show time. So I attended another workshop and networked with the radio DJ’s, presenters and artists I ran into in the hallways. Time well spent. As always, my homemade Chex Mix (actually made this time by my daughter Jessi under my direction) is a hit and folks are scarfing bag after bag. I’m thinking of calling it “Cracker Crunchies” for future events – what do you think?

The Midwest is a good region for my music – something Jack Williams told me a while ago. While the material is Florida based, the stories, messages and emotions are universal and seem to strike home particularly well here. I’m looking forward to getting to tour up in this part of the country and am having some good discussions about that with presenters and local artists that are the key to making that happen.

I cut out at 5 pm to go get some dinner. I was starved so I selected a homestyle buffet close by and, as you might guess, having skipped lunch, over ate. So bloated with mashed potatoes and roasted chicken (plus some apple cobbler and ice cream) I waddled back to the conference center to shower and prepare for the evening. BURP!!

The keynote speaker for the conference was Claudia Schmidt. If you’re not familiar with Claudia, you should be. More than three decades as a touring professional have found her traversing North America as well as Europe in venues ranging from intimate clubs to 4,000 seat theatres, and festival stages in front of 25,000 rapt listeners. She is familiar with the mediums of radio and TV, including regular stints on Public Radio International's "A Prairie Home Companion" in its early incarnation, and starring in an hour-long documentary called "I Sing Because I Can't Fly," produced by KTCA TV in St. Paul. She participated in the delightful Les Blank movie "Gap-Toothed Women," contributing a song as well as an interview. She wrote an award-winning score and performed in the Goodman Theatre's 1992 Chicago production of Brecht's "Good Person of Szechuan." In 2006 & 2007 she has been a lead performer along with Ruth McKenzie and Prudence Johnson in “The Gales of November.” The “Gales” is a musical retelling of the Edmund Fitzgerald tragedy from the point of view of three wives of the doomed crew of the Great Lakes ore-carrier. Her music has also recently appeared in the documentary, “Motherhood Manifesto” produced by John DeGraaf and the folks at moveon.org. She has recorded fourteen albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms featuring her acclaimed12 string guitar and mountain dulcimer playing. Check her out at http://claudiaschmidt.homestead.com.

Anyway, her keynote address was TERRIFIC. Claudia has a delightful, wicked and stealthy sense of humor which she uses to great effect in conveying her message which was the role of the folk community in service and keeping the spirit of roots music alive and thriving. She wistfully recalled her early days in folk music when artists seemed less competitive and so much of what we do now wasn’t driven by technology. She urged less of a sense of the individual and a return to the sense of community that makes this music so powerful (preaching to the choir, of course, at a gathering like this). Bemoaning the technology of all of the “i” products she pointed out that when they finally came out with something called “We” they spelled it “Wii”, again missing the point! I thoroughly enjoyed her presentation!

Showtime. My plan was executed to great effect and response! Other than the fact that the mounds of mashed potatoes and chicken, even 3 ½ hours later, made it a little hard to hit and maintain the long high notes in “Do you”, the showcase set went exceptionally well and I was complemented throughout the remainder of the evening by presenters, DJ’s and artists alike. With the pressure off I was now free to sit, imbibe and listen to the other showcase artists that followed. I didn’t hear everyone (those that came before me) but I have to say the caliber of performance was exceptional. Debra Cowan was a standout presenting traditional tunes, some accapella, with tremendous power and presence.

After the showcases folks started to gravitate towards separate rooms for song circles and jams and I settled into one to enjoy the camaraderie. In my particular circle Rich Baumann was the “everyman” playing fiddle behind many who shared a song, including a wonderful job backing me on “It Must Be You.” Steve Jerrett played some great 12 string guitar on two of his originals which, not remembering the titles, I’ll call “The Billy Goat” song and the “Grandpa” song, both wonderful tunes. Anne Capps played a beautiful love song and commented how much she missed her husband and music partner, Rod, who couldn’t be there. A duo, Beaucoup Shakti (Sharon Bousquet and Heather Collmer, from Fairfield, Iowa were also particularly powerful. Maggie Ferguson put us all in stitches with a hilarious Halloween tune “Bats.” And, in the midst of it all, Ryan Baddour of The Flipside video taped various messages of information and advice from us for his daughter Nikki and Sasha who are just learning guitar and the craft of music. My advice, “don’t trust boys who play guitar and play what makes you happy, not what you think will make someone else happy.”

Totally exhausted I stumbled upstairs at abut 2:30 a.m. Saturday – back to the networking, etc.!!

Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"
Doug Spears
36 Interlaken Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242
dcsnole@yahoo.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears
http://www.myspace.com/dougspears
http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – Midwest Folk Alliance Conference – Day 1



Good morning from Bolingbrook, Illinois, southwest of Chicago. It’s cool (40’s – 50’s) and rainy since we got here (Judy’s tagging along for this one), but relief from the hot and humidity is welcome regardless of its packaging. We arrived just after noon yesterday on Southwest (one of my favorite airlines – very musician friendly) and though it was rainy and windy at Midway we landed on only the second bounce (ok, it was a jarring landing, but any landing you walk away from is a good one).



The FARM conference has a long history having begun meeting in 1991. This is my first visit, precipitated by my selection as an official showcase artist, and I didn’t really know what to expect. I had heard mixed reviews by folks who had attended this conference in the past regarding the size of the gathering, the programs and value to the artist. But, FARM has experienced a renewal of commitment under its leadership and, though I have nothing to compare it to since I’m a Newbie I’m thrilled to be here. The attendance is around 100 with a very good representation from venues, house concert presenters and Folk DJs – on a percentage basis compared to artists, about the same as the National Conference in Memphis. In just the first few hours I’ve gotten to spend time with folks I would not otherwise have met or would only get to see for a minute or two in the madness of the National Conference.



The first night the presented a new feature of the gathering. Concerts In Your Home (Fran Snyder) produced a special invitational showcase for non – official showcase artists and some special guests. Ten acts were presented over about 2 ½ hours. Though all were quite good and entertaining, I have to admit my favorites were Claudia Schmidt and Joe Jencks. Great talents both and certainly folks I would recommend without hesitation to any venue, house concert, festival, etc.



This morning things start of with workshops and peer group discussions on various topics. I’m looking forward to some of the business oriented workshops and to sitting over coffee with new and old friends alike.



My official showcase is tonight. One thing that distinguishes the smaller regional conferences over the national is that the official showcases are done one at a time in one room – no other activity at the same time and, therefore, everyone is in attendance. That’s a good feature for the artists chosen and somewhat guarantees that the folks you really want to hear you are in the room (illness or exhaustion excepted). While I have a table display set up in the main hallway of the conference, its not one that I have to be with so I’m free to roam.



Stay tuned!


Doug
"It's not how far you've come, it's what you've done with the miles"
Doug Spears
36 Interlaken Road
Orlando, Florida 32804
407-257-4242
dcsnole@yahoo.com
www.dougspearsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/dougspears
http://www.myspace.com/dougspears
http://www.sonicbids.com/dougspears

Notes from the Road – Trenton Ga to Cullman AL to Knoxville TN to Parsons WV

What a week! Lots of shows and a bit of road time. Let’s catch up.

Friday, August 28th – Cullman, Alabama

The way I’ve worked this trip I’m leaving the camper set up in Trenton, GA at the Lookout Mountain West KOA and traveling to and from my gigs from that home base. Brian and Allison, the owners, became great friends and fans last year and agreed to have me stay an entire 8 days with them this year and I’ve GREATLY appreciated it. If you are campers and want to head to the NW Georgia / Chattanooga area you will make a big mistake by not stopping in and staying with Brian and Allison. Their’s is not the average KOA – it is what the model should be. They made a decision to change their lifestyle to focus on family and friends. They treat that campground as their home and you as an honored guest in it. This is not a “corporate” campground like some where the bottom line is all. To be sure, they are there to make a living, but they are intent on giving every guest more than the value of the fee they pay to stay. Please stop in there and tell ‘em I sent ‘ya!

Friday night was my show at Berkley Bob’s Coffeehouse in Cullman, AL. I “poached” this gig off of the Bluesgotus calendar when I saw they were playing there back in June (thanks Bill & Eli for the tip!). I frankly didn’t know what to expect and kept myself ready for anything. It turned out to be a special treat and I made a lot of new friends.

Bob Keefe, the proprietor, used to live down our way and played the Florida Folk Festival once back in the Cousin Thelma days. He’s had Berkley Bob’s now for about 7 years and moved to this particular location a couple of years ago. What a great room! A 100 year old brick building with high ceilings covered in stamped tin tiles – the place just oozes charm and warmth. Coffee’s, teas, deli items and baked goods are the fare served up by Bob’s daughter behind the counter. A nice sized raised stage in the corner farthest from the entrance looks out on tables, couches and arm chairs with books, teas, coffees and other items for sale lining the walls. The coffee / tea station is to the right of the stage and I had the usual concern about the overwhelming noise of the cappuccino machine and blender (smoothies) kicking in just when I het a soft, soulful song. I worried for naught. This is a REAL listening room – the folks know that if they go over and order something that will require noisy apparatus to prepare then they’ll have to wait just a bit until a space between songs, etc. before the equipment will be used – VERY impressive. I had a solid crowd of a little over 50 who listened to every word and note, signed up on the email list, bought CD’s and generously supported the gas fund. Bob has enthusiastically invited me back and I intend to take him up on it for sure. This is one of the true small listening venues of the southeast. Thanks Bob and all my new friends in the great state of Alabama!

Saturday, August 29th

Trenton GA is, of course, just 10 – 15 miles southwest of Chattanooga, so I had a short commute to my Saturday night show at Charles and Myrtles’ Coffeehouse at the Christ Unity Church in Chattanooga. Andrew Kelsey is the host of the series which has been going strong EVERY WEEK (that’s right, 50+ shows a year) for 16 years. The opportunity to play Charles & Myrtle’s is a privilege and I was looking forward to it.

The Church is a small house converted to the purposes of the congregation. There is seating for about 80 arranged in a short, upside down “T” from the performance space (which becomes the pulpit on Sunday). I was thrilled to walk in and immediately see Bill & Barbara Derby, our good friends and expatriots from Ormond Beach who now live in Blairsville, Ga. A two hour hike for them to come see me – THANKS GUYS!!

Again, this is a true listening room environment. The folks come strictly to sit and listen, many with their eyes closed a good part of the time, swaying to the music. You know, an old storyteller and song writer like me just eats that up with a spoon – what a treat. A major plus is Andrew’s home baked cookies – WOW! Totally addictive and loaded with all the good (bad for you) stuff.

The appearance at Charles & Myrtles’ also includes an appearance at their Church service the following morning. It is a lay ministry which features a different speaker each week either from the congregation or someone traveling through. This is a very liberal, relaxed, Christian based fellowship that includes much laughter and song, as well as mediation and personal introspection. If you can believe it, ASCAP & BMI make the Church buy a license because they use some contemporary music in their service (i.e., Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens, etc.). I’d REALLY like to hear the PRO’s defend THAT! They brought me on for a two song offering (“Do You” and “It Must Be You”) which was very well received. Andrew invited me to come “do it again” and I intend to get that on the calendar soon. Thanks Andrew!

Sunday, August 30th

Time for a goodbye show here in the KOA. These are, by definition, small shows for 25 or less. But, you can never judge the quality of a crowd by its size. In my two years of doing these campground shows I’ve learned “the ropes” of making it work, for my type of act at least, and these are some of my favorite shows of the tours. Like a house concert, they are small and intimate, but with the plus of being in a beautiful outdoor setting designed for this purpose, like a festival performance. Again, the folks that come to these are there strictly for the music and want to here every word and note. They are generous beyond measure and love to purchase CD’s. From a purely economic standpoint I do nearly as well with these shows as I do weekend shows at a coffeehouse with an admission fee. From an artist enjoyment standpoint they are second only to house concerts in the pleasure I derive from the people and the music.

This show here at the KOA was no exception. A good crowd on Sunday night, 25 or so, and a full offering of tunes from the soon to be released (no really, soon now, I promise) CD Welcome Home, my 2007 album Break Some Stones, as well as older material and newer stuff not currently on an available CD. Another “perk” of these shows is that you are meeting folks from different parts of the country, not so much locals. There was a group this night from the Houston area who were thrilled to hear I’d be in their neck of the woods in November and have already made plans to attend my shows there. I really love these shows and the folks I meet in them.

Monday, August 31st

On the road again . . . I didn’t get started as early as I would have liked due to work that had to be done in connection with the new CD, etc. So I pulled out just before noon to make my way north into West Virginia. I knew I wouldn’t make it all the way, but I wanted to get as far as possible so that I could get in and settled in Parsons sometime Tuesday morning. I learned last year that pushing the big Ford to haul the trailer at 70 mph plus, particularly in the hill country, destroys what little fuel economy you can get out of a V8. So the time v. $$ trade weighs in favor of keeping it around 60 mph and accepting the longer drive time.

I had pure interstate highway driving up through TN and Virginia. Still, scenery was nice and the driving was fairly easy except around Knoxville which can get a little congested. Once I crossed into West Virginia two things changed – one good and one bad. The bad first – gas prices jump .35 per gallon immediately after crossing the state line!! They must have a serious gas tax going on up here. But, the good is that the driving converted to a state highway system with gorgeous scenery. As WV is owned nearly 70% by the federal government, much of the drive is through national forests. I crossed great dams, rivers, man made lakes, etc. and the Allegheny Mountains (part of the Appalachians and forming the border between Virginia and West Virginia) which were breathtaking.

By 7 pm I had crossed the New River Gorge, passed Beckly and Fayetteville and was looking for a likely place to stop for the night – cheap, comfortable and easy were my criteria for a campsite. I saw a sign for the Summerville Dam National Park and turned towards it. Now, I made a large mistake at this point. As it was nearly dusk I was looking to make sure I didn’t miss the turn to the park. I came upon “Camp Site Road” and quickly turned right. Bad, bad move. Camp Site Road is a private road of residences and is a narrow rock road that drops STEEPLY down the mountain a couple of miles to a dead end with ditches on both sides of the road. Remember, I’m towing a 24’ behemoth behind the Expedition. Well, thank goodness for 4 wheel drive and an ability to back a trailer. I saw my chance about a mile down – one gravel driveway went steeply up to my right while another dropped down to my left almost straight across. I switched into high 4 wheel drive on the fly, hit the gas up the steep drive on the right and ground to a stop as the trailer cleared the road. After a quick assessment of my angle and a deep breath I put ‘er in reverse and let her go slinging the rear of the trailer into the descending drive across the way. Again, gravel flew as I ground to a halt. Now, low 4 wheel drive was needed to bear down and pull the trailer up and around onto the road heading back the way I came. Now I REALLY needed to get to the campground and a little brown whiskey!

Soon I crossed the Summerville Dam and then came to the camping area right on Summersville lake. Cheap, very comfortable and (but for my own folly) very easy. I checked in and received a site right on (I mean 10 ‘ close) the lake. The site was perfectly level so I had no set up – just left the trailer hooked to the car and plugged in the electric. I had a nice quiet dinner looking out over the lake as night fell and then sat and picked the guitar for a bit as I sipped that amber libation I had been craving after my backing adventure. Cool, sleeping with the windows open and the blankets on – can’t beat it.

Tuesday, September 1

I got up early to get under way. I made a pot of coffee and stepped out to appreciate the early sun on Lake Summerville. The water is crystal clear and the mountains and trees rising around me were as peaceful as I could ask for. The blue wing teals make their home here and are fat from the offerings of the campers in the area. I got out a few slices of bread and within seconds I was surrounded by 30 or more beautiful ducks wrestling for the bits I tossed their way. The experienced ones watched the arc and caught the bread in the air before it hit the water. I have lots of pictures and will post a link when I’ve got a chance.

Only two and ½ hours from Parsons I pressed on and arrived at Five Rivers Campground by 11 a.m. I was soon settled in and connected to the internet to do some promotion for the shows in the area on Wednesday and Thursday. The campground sits right on the Cheat River, just two miles upstream from the 2 acre parcel we bought here last fall. At this time of year the river level is dropping though still plenty of water for fish and that peaceful moving water sound across the polished rocks. Very cool here – low 50’s to high 40’s at night and 70’s during the day. Clear blue skies – magnificent! I spent the day working, as described, with breaks to go wade the river a little, skip some stones, take a supply run to local grocery and scare up a little firewood. Whiskey and a warm fire looking out over the river – this is living!

Wednesday, September 2

I played a new venue last night ½ hour down the mountain in Elkins, WV. Elkins is an “artsy” little community which includes Davis & Elkins College, a small private liberal arts school. I’m playing at a local music venue, El Gran Sabor, an authentic Venezuelan restaurant. The food is wonderful and the building is another charm oozing edifice with wood floors and an outdoor courtyard up front. The owner, Rob Masten (along with his wife, Derdlim, the master chef and, in Rob’s words, “the boss”) is also a musician and teaches music both at the local high school and at Davis & Elkins. The restaurant has a terrific music room in the back of the building where the bar is located. A full stage with good sound and nice lighting sits back there and looks out over a seating area large enough for at least 50 or so. The live music runs Wednesday and Friday from 7 to 10 and focuses on original music of various genres.

I had a great time playing the room, though it is not what I’m typically used to. On this night the smallish crowd, though paying attention to the music and appreciative, were not a pure listening crowd. Sitting mostly around the bar there was a great deal of conversation and noise during the show. Consequently, I couldn’t establish my usual audience connection, tell the stories between songs, etc. that I usually do. Nevertheless, the crowd was hearing me, was generous in terms of the gas fund and very complimentary during breaks. I think the room has wonderful potential and I’ll look forward to playing here again in my new “home away from home” neighborhood. Rob is a very outgoing and helpful guy who can be of great assistance locating other rooms to play within a reasonable driving distance for future trips. It’s all in the attitude with which you approach it and the effort you invest to develop it. I think El Gran Sabor is well worth it. Thanks Rob!

Thursday, September 3

OK, you’re up to date. I’ve spent the morning writing this in the cool, beautiful WV weather with a campfire crackling and the Cheat River gurgling. Tonight I play the Purple Fiddle in Thomas WV less than a ½ up the mountain and then head out early tomorrow for NC (house concert Saturday night), SC (campground show Sunday) and home on Monday. I may wait until I get back for the last installment, but you never know so stay tuned.

Notes from the Road – Trenton, Ga. to Knoxville, TN

Notes from the Road – Trenton, Ga. to Knoxville, TN

Had a bustling day Monday. I’ve brought all my computer gear (including my color laser printer) so the camper during the day is like a home office. I had posters, postcards, etc. to print for a show in WV next week, so I did those and ran in to the post office in Trenton to get those in the mail.

Trenton is a quaint little town. On the way back I saw an old fashioned town graveyard so I stopped and wandered a bit. The graves in the front of the cemetery were the oldest and they worked back from there. The markers and monuments bore dates as early as the 1830’s. You could tell which families had moved on or died out as their plots were crumbling and weed covered. You could also tell who the prominent families in the community are by the conditions of their plots. I saw graves for folks that had lived remarkably long lives for the period of time – one lady was over a hundred when she died in 1911. I also saw grave stones for young people, less than 20 and some infants. When I wander a cemetery like this I always wonder about who the people were and what things they’d experienced. Probably not as fascinating as I imagine.

Monday night’s show in the campground was terrific. I learned last year that weekday shows are the best for the campgrounds. I always walk around during the day to say hello to folks and make sure they know about the show. There are few campers here during the week, but with only one exception every single camper was present. These are the small, intimate crowds that every songwriter lives for. And, surprisingly rewarding financially as well. There is no admission, of course – just a tip jar and CD’s. But, without exception I’ve found that these folks generously toss appreciation into the tip jar (many times what you normally see in a coffeehouse type setting) and hungrily buy CD’s. Had I charged an admission fee, some would not have come in the first place and those that did would not have been able to buy the number of CD’s that the full crowd did. I really like this approach for weekday “filler” shows when you would otherwise be idle or playing a coffeehouse on a tips / sales basis anyway.

I used my new, compact Fishman SoloAmp sound system and really loved it. What a treat to have the whole system in one rolling bag weighing 30 lbs! The sound coverage is excellent and no feedback unless I turned directly into the unit from very close range. Really makes set up less of a chore.

Tuesday was a work day getting email done, checking in on the status of the Welcome Home Project, conference call with my “folk mom”, Kari Estrin, in Nashville, accounting work, etc. – yep, dull and boring. But, I took a break at lunch time and went to tour the Chickamauga Battlefield which is close by. It is the oldest of the national military parks, dedicated in 1895. Covering 8,000 acres it is also one of the largest.

I started in the visitor’s center with a 20 minute movie that explained the general troop movements, etc. Like most of those productions it was unnecessarily corny and dumbed down, but nevertheless gave the basic information to let you guide yourself through the park. One of the first things you come to on the self guided car tour is the monument erected by the State of Florida honoring those regiments of the CSA from our home state. Impressive monuments exist throughout the park marking the places where each State’s troops engaged in action, where certain soldiers were wounded or killed, etc. These battlefields always have a profound effect on me. The park is so peaceful, hardly anyone there during the week, dozens of deer roaming and grazing unconcerned with my presence. To think of this place shrouded in the smoke of battle and soaked with the blood of young Americans leaves me with an eerie sense of sorrow, duty, honor and incredulity all mixed together. There are so many that think they understand why that war was fought and what goals it accomplished I won’t dare offer my viewpoint. It was interesting that the bookstore in the visitor’s center had volumes covering all viewpoints and I overheard two different people registering formal complaints with the guards on duty regarding what they viewed to be historical inaccuracies being perpetuated by the exhibits. But, one thing is clear to me - we don’t learn much from history and continue to make the same blunders time and again.

Wednesday was an up and on the road early day – time to appear on WDVX’s Blue Plate Special in Knoxville. The station’s studio is located in the Knoxville Visitor’s Center and has a formal performance stage set up in the lobby with the gift shop and coffee bar. Every day at noon the station presents a live performance broadcast. It’s very popular with the locals. About 60 seats are set up (including the standard lunch tables) and folks come in for the lunch hour and the show. By 11:45 am there were few seats left and those were gone by Noon. It was a very enjoyable show and performance to this pure listening (and munching) crowd. The host, Matt Morelock, does an excellent job keeping things organized and moving. The show draws acts from the very big names in folk and bluegrass (Doyle Lawson, Tim O’Brien, David Olney, etc.) to lesser mortals like me. They record the show and provide you with a CD and I videoed the performance as well. Hopefully the links work and you can see me do “Yellow Butter Moon” in front of the Blue Plate Wall of Fame.



Its Thursday as I write this and its rainy out. That’s OK, because I’ve got lots of work to do. Stay tuned for more!

Notes from the Road – Havana, FL / Trenton, GA.

Notes from the Road – Havana, FL / Trenton, GA.

Back on the road again – time for my SE US mini-tour. Two and one-half weeks in the camper doing shows in north FL (1), GA (2), AL (1), TN (2), WV (2), NC (1) and SC (1).

I got on the road Saturday morning to head to Havana, FL, just outside of Tallahassee, for a gig at The Mockingbird Café that Lis & Lon Williamson put me onto. The 4 hour drive was a slugger along I-75 with 2,000 truckers and 5,000 morons through lightning, thunder and rain most of the way. There was one REALLY bad accident in the Gainesville area. Don’t know what happened first, but it appeared that there was a bad crash in the southbound lanes and then some idiot rubberneckers in the northbound lanes cracked up while trying to see if there was any visible blood on the southbound side. You know, as a species we aren’t getting any smarter at all.

But, I made it to north Florida unscathed. I checked into the Big Oak campground just 10 miles from Havana, had a quick bite to eat and then headed over to get set up. Boy, did I get a surprise when I got out of the car and started towards the Café! There outside the patio entrance were Pete Gallagher and Pat Barmore up all the way from St. Pete / Tampa. Now, of course, my ego said “WOW, drove all that way to hear me!” In reality, there was some booking confusion. Lorie (the proprietress) had me booked and advertised, but Pete & Pat thought they were booked. Stuff happens! After a few minutes of head scratching it seemed like the sensible thing to do was just split the night. Pete & Pat had driven 5 hours themselves to get there so it made no sense to just say “sorry” and send them home. Problem solved. And, really to my advantage since my SoloAmp system won’t handle a duo, so Pete & Pat had to set up their Bose system – less work for me!!

The Mockingbird is truly a lovely venue and the food is absolutely AWESOME. They had a special rib-eye steak that was just killer and the cheesecake with fresh berries was to die for. Their house specialty, black beans and rice, is also just as advertised – delicious. The café is quaint and spacious inside and the patio entrance is quite charming. All of the staff goes way out of their way to treat the performers as part of the family and get you anything you need throughout the night (including slippery elm tea – great for the vocal chords). We had a warm, receptive and generous crowd, a true listening crowd. I made some new friends and reconnected with some old ones. It’s always nice to have local performers drop in to catch your show – Mimi Hearns and Grant Peeples were in the house. Pat, Pete and I switched ½ hour sets from 7 – 10 and everyone had a great time. I’m really looking forward to playing The Mockingbird again soon.

Sunday was my long drive day. I needed to get up to Trenton, GA where I’ve wangled a week’s stay at one of my KOA friend’s campground while I play gigs in TN and AL. It makes much more sense (gas wise and time wise) to leave the camper in one spot and drive to the gigs – nothing more than two hours away. I’ll play a couple of shows in the campground during the week as well. Works out great.

I got underway around 10 am and took the back roads up through GA towards Atlanta. The corn was harvested back in the early summer and those fields are brown and in stubble, but the peanut fields and truck crops (beans, peas, etc.) are lush green and endless. The cotton is coming in as well and will be harvested in September. Some of the prettiest peach orchards and pecan groves I’ve ever seen lay along the route I drove. I should have stopped for pictures, but you know me. To say this is Bible belt country is a vast understatement. You can’t swing a worn out guitar strap without smacking a Baptist, Methodist or more fundamentalist type country church.

I really enjoyed the first half of the day’s drive. I stopped in Dawson, GA for lunch at a great little Mexican grille. Had to stay away from the cerveca and the tequila though – Georgia back roads on a Sunday afternoon is no time to get stopped by the local sheriff with beer breath!

Then I hit I-85 to I-285 around Atlanta and I-75 to Chattanooga – back to the world of morons and Nascar wannabes. I was more than ready to hit the campground when I pulled in around 6:30 pm. My hosts had left a map pinned to the front door showing me to my site. I got settled in, had a little pre-dinner cocktail while I wandered to see who my neighbors were, then had that wonderful ribeye steak meal from The Mockingbird (they fixed up an extra one to go so I’d have it when I got to my next stop!). The weather here is cool, clear and wonderful – goodbye heat!

Stay tuned – more to come.

Notes from the Road – Gamble Rogers 2009

Notes from the Road – Gamble Rogers 2009

From Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 we gathered at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds in Elkton, FL, west of St. Augustine for three days of music celebrating to life of one of our own, the late, great Gamble Rogers. I hope you are familiar with Gamble’s life and work. If not, here’s a little bit about him.

Florida Times Union columnist, Ron Johnson, wrote in his Friday edition:

The son and grandson of influential architects, Gamble Rogers was described as both a "modern troubadour" and the "resurrection of Will Rogers and Mark Twain". Rogers was a master performer--enchanting an audience with Travis-style guitar finger picking and relating downright rib-tickling tales about the inhabitants of the fictitious Oklawaha County.

The Atlanta Constitution called Rogers, "an American treasure worthy of inclusion in the Smithsonian". Rogers was just hitting his peak when he died, on October 10, 1991, trying to save a man from drowning. The recreational area in Flagler County, where the accident occurred, was later renamed, "The Gamble Rogers Memorial Park".

Gamble was universally revered and loved by his fellow musicians and fans alike. Gamble never met a stranger and his gracious assistance to young up and coming artists is legendary. Known for many philosophical witticisms like “the Lord gives me grace, but the devil gives me style”, “sorry is as sorry does” and “life’s what happens to you while you’re making other plans” Gamble was the perfect blend of master storyteller and musician. Many songs have been written honoring Gamble, but my personal favorite was written by my friend Steve Gillette who I think fully captured his spirit:

I remember Gamble Rogers,
He was a gentleman with a guitar,
He’s gone on a little further now,
A little deeper in the stars,
He went down into the water,
To help to save a drowning man,
And he left this world,
Holding out his hand.

It’s been my great privilege to participate in this gathering for many years now and have been looking forward to this second edition in the new location at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds.

Friday, May 1

You may recall that I’ve been having trouble with my car battery when I hook up my camper lights to the car. Or, maybe you don’t. For you it doesn’t really matter. As for me, I unfortunately did not remember it until Friday morning when I was preparing to load up. Shoot! Off to Costco I went to get a new battery. While I was there I also picked up one of those portable jump start units – handy looking thing. I didn’t have time (or rather didn’t want to take the time) to install the new battery (in an Expedition its not as easy as it should be), but at least I’d have the new battery and the jump start unit in case I got stranded.

Back home I loaded up my gear, my Samplers for presales of the new CD and some things I might need if called to Tallahassee for the arrival of the new granddaughter (yeah, the little bugger is still stuck in there despite continual warnings of imminent commencement of the birthing journey). Off I went and was surprised to arrive at the fairgrounds nearly ½ hour before I expected.

All was in order. I was issued my artist’s pass and given directions to my campsite. I drew a wonderful spot – right next to Larry Mangum. That wasn’t what made it so wonderful, though it was clearly a bonus. Rather it was the shade from the big oak that would protect my roof from the broiling sun most of the day. Bill & Eli Perras thought it looked pretty good too and, though without access to power or water, they elected to join us there under the oaks.

We were soon engaged in a songswap over at Larry’s with Charlie Simmons, Jack (oops, can’t remember), Bill & Eli, Jen Weidley, Chuck & Pat Spano, Grant Peeples and probably others that at this writing two days later I can’t recall. I introduced Grant to the wonders of Gorilla Snot (it’s a real product, I’m not making it up) – a pine resin product that helps you keep your grip on your guitar pick in sweaty or other conditions adverse to guitar pickers. I believe it changed Grant’s life, though probably not as much as some of you might have hoped.

The weather Friday was magnificent – cool in the shade and breezy, crystal clear and springtime fresh. The songswap would have gone longer, but Larry started serving some red wine which at that afternoon hour brought on the drowsies in some. Me, I had to go check my CD’s in at the product table and circulate among the other arrivals so I put away the guitar and set off. In truth, I figured on finding someone who was camped over close to where the fish fry was to take place at 6 p.m. Succeeded too, as Al Scortino, reliable for such as this, had parked his Casita within spittin’ distance of where the line would form. So, with a beer in hand (that vendor opened early and was doing a brisk trade) I ambled over and infiltrated the Ashley Gang crowd. Sure enough, we got some of the first fish out of the oil and feasted our fill.

The evening schedule featured some of my real favorites. My good friend Jack Williams started things off with his usual stellar set that left folks hollering for more and all the guitar pickers considering another line of endeavor. He was followed by Tracy Grammer and The Rowan Brothers with wonderful performances. Then our own one man band sensation, Ben Prestage, came on to prove that all that caterwauling about how good he is actually sells him short. He’s a serious showstopper. Those guitar pickers in the crowd that had managed to recover from the humiliation of watching the mastery of Jack Williams were beset with a new wave of discouragement regarding their own abilities and I’m sure many a guitar came close to violent disposal or cheap sale.

Once the main stage wrapped up I discovered one significant negative to my beautiful campsite. Turns out the evening contra dance that often doesn’t end until people are too exhausted to stand was taking place on the Pickers Stage with 100 feet of my rolling abode. Not to worry – I was running my AC unit and I came equipped with foam ear plugs for just such a situation.

The campsite songswaps were more active and widespread than I can recall in recent years. It was terrific. I started over with Jerry Mincey’s crowd, then filtered down to the Mayhaws’ area where I found Lis Williams and Lolly Rogers (Gamble’s daughter). Lis sang some harmonies with me on Banks of the Old St. John’s which was fun. She was not camping and soon made her preparations to head out. She had a tin cup of Irish Whiskey that some provided her and that she hadn’t finished. Knowing exactly where it would be most welcome she blessed me with its care and disposal, swearing me to faithfully return the cup to its owner when its contents were expended. A fine and bonnie Lass she is!

I next found myself at the rough camping segment of the Ashley Gang – Al, of course, long since absent and gone back to the Casita to enjoy AC and deep slumber. David Russell and his lovely bride Ann were there, David kind of sitting right in the middle of things adding accompaniment to whatever was being played. Since we had played it at Folk Alliance together back in February (check back at those Notes for the background on that) he joined me very capably on This Old House. Glenn Smith and his far better half were there with a tune or two. Larry Mangum slide in from the dark at some point. Soon Jack Williams showed up to trade licks and an encyclopedic recall of a vast catalog of old tunes with Russell. Grant Peeples was in there too, begging more Gorilla Snot. He took to putting a gob of it on the bill of his cap so it would be handy whenever he needed it. Of course, all of the Ashley Gang was there, Michelle, Norm and the couple Garfinkle (Al in abstentia of course already sawing logs). Again, I know there were many more that I’m overlooking and please pardon me for the omissions.

By a little after 1 a.m. I realized that I was exhausted and stumbled my way through the campground lights back to my traveling bedroom. I’ve been carrying my cell phone waiting for the stork to call, but nothing yet. Tomorrow I’m on the Old Town Stage. G’night.

Saturday, May 2

I woke up way too early, but I think I got enough sleep to survive anyway. I stumbled over to the artists’ hospitality area for some coffee and breakfast. All kinds of folks were wandering through and really don’t remember everyone I ended up chatting with while I was there. The hospitality for the artists at Gamble Rogers is always first rate and gracious, just like the festival’s namesake.

I spent a fair part of the morning in the camper restringing the guitar, making a set list, practicing, working on some new tunes, etc. And, of course, I kept checking to see if there was any baby alert – nothing. I went on back over to the hospitality area for some lunch, chatted a while with the Dean of Florida folk, Frank Thomas, and numerous others filtering through. I also ran into my old friend Bob Higgenbotham who plays the festival every year – we only live about 45 miles apart (he in Winter Haven), yet we see each other more often at Gamble than anywhere else these days. That’s a large part of the joy of these gatherings is connecting again with so many great folks.

I got to be part of a terrific line-up on the Old Town Stage. Magda Hiller had drawn a good crowd over and I got to enjoy her set. What a great, great performer she is! She had Jack Schwade with her which added another layer to the high luster of her show.

Charlie Robertson, who was to play after me, was doing a quick stand in as emcee and asked me what I wanted said as my introduction. “Aw Charlie,” I says, “just make some lie up that’ll make me sound good.” So, Charlie hops up on the stage and hollers “Please welcome one of the truly great Florida songwriters, Doug Spears.” Now, I ask you, since I told him to lie . . . hummmph! I gave ‘em 6 good ‘uns – This Old House, State of Dreams, On the Other Side, Marker 26, A Mothers’ Tears and Yellow Butter Moon. I also told them about the new CD (I love bragging about the stellar line-up I’ve got on there) and afterwards several folks grabbed me to buy the pre-sales sampler.

I stuck by to hear Charlie’s set – he is just one of those amazing songwriters who can see every little thing from every possible perspective and picks the one that should be obvious, but which you hadn’t considered to write about. It just knocks your socks off. He also is given to unpredictable commentary that makes you laugh until you hurt. You shouldn’t miss any chance to hear Charlie perform.

Next I hustled back to the camper, dropped the guitar, etc. there and headed over to the Big Top. Missy Raines (my bass player on 8 tracks on the new CD - brag, brag, brag) has rolled in with her exciting band, Missy Raines and The New Hip, for their two mainstage performances. Husband, Ben Surratt, was hustling about running their sound and I took a seat at the railing right behind him. I let him get everything settled during their first couple of tunes then leaned forward, tapped him on the shoulder and handed him a cold beer I just acquired from that busy vendor on my way in. It seemed one of the more welcome hellos he’d had! At his invitation I circled around at sat at the board with him for the show and thoroughly enjoyed Missy’s set.

What a GREAT band – I mean top to bottom superb surrounding Missy’s incomparable bass. Their album, Inside Out, just released on Compass Records, is terrific CD that I highly recommend to everyone. However, I have to admit that for me seeing Missy play is so wonderful I close me eyes when I listen to the CD so I can imagine her groovin’ around through the tunes. Just how much she loves what she does shouts out from every twist, turn and hop and the sounds she produces from that big stand up bass are not to be believed unless you hear her while seeing it with your own eyes. After they finished I went around backstage for a hug and a hello. Ben’s beer had already drawn jealous glances from the band and I feared that my failure to bring a whole tray might put me in jeopardy, but Missy fended them off for me.

By this time, with a beer or two in my gullet, I began to feel a bit peckish. Over at the hospitality hut I sat and chatted with Ben and Missy a bit about life in general and the progress of the CD project. Then the more serious hunger began setting in. They weren’t yet ready to lay out the supper spread yet so I wandered back over to the Big Top looking for Jason Thomas (my producer and fiddler for Gatorbone and Claire Lynch) who was to have arrived to warm up with Gatorbone for their 7 pm set and bring me some material from the CD. To my dismay I found that Jason was stuck in a major traffic back up on I-95 and would not be making it for the show – shoot!

So, I hooked up with Lis & Lon Williamson and Lolly Rogers for a little supper. Then I settled in for the excellent Saturday evening line-up. My absolute favorites, Gatorbone kicked it into gear at 7 pm. They were sans Jason Thomas (who ended up turning back in the face of hours of backup on I-95), but they still rocked! There is no finer singer than Lis Williamson, nor a better rhythm gypsy jazz guitar player. And, if you lined up 25 guitar players and had them perform the same licks I could pick Gabe Valla out blindfolded. The tone he creates is so clean and crystal clear that it can’t be confused with any other, truly one of a kind. Lis and Lon sent goosebumps through the crowd with their duo performance of Love Hurts – WOW! And, Kurt Johnson is a stellar addition to the group on pedal steel and keyboards. The rest of the night had a high bar set by Gatorbone!!

Willy Claflin came next with his recreation of Gamble’s signature music and stories. He ain’t Gamble, but he’s close! It was a fitting and well received presentation for this crowd.

Jesse Winchester alone on stage is a treat for any lover of the pure craft of songwriting. His songs have been recorded by everyone in the business and have been sung, hummed and enjoyed by every one of us, whether we knew it at the time or not. His easy going, homespun Memphis manner is deadly and the audience was charmed from the first note.

Next, my bass player (I love saying that!), Missy Raines and The New Hip laid another stellar set on the crowd to close the night. Call it “jazz-grass” or whatever you like – this group is HOT! Stop, Drop & Wiggle, Basket of Singing Birds and Inside Out seemed like crowd favorites. This is a group that makes you move. The musicianship and arrangements are stunning.

Back out in the campground the song circles and jams were in full swing. I started out right at my own camper with Ron & Bari Litschauer, Stan Geberer, Jeannie Fitchen (Ned lending moral support) and Clyde and Lorelli Walker (though Clyde elected to assume the position of listener and star gazer in the background). Ken Buchanan brought a couple of chairs over and sat to enjoy the show. John Alison soon joined us with his tasteful backing and beautiful OM and then Jack Williams ambled in to add his signature licks to the mix. Several others migrated in whose names I don’t know and for a while there it got to be a pretty sizeable jam. However, the Roadside Revue folks and the Walkers needed to head home to the Walker abode in St. Augustine and things broke up at the camper around 1:30 or so.

I had played enough, but felt like listening some more so I wandered the grounds with a little refreshment in hand. I sat at the Ashley Gang area for a bit and listened to David Russell, Michelle, Carly Bak and others swap tunes and licks. Over at the Mayhaws settlement a HUGE crowd had gathered. As I pushed into a spot where I could lean and watch Grant Peeples was holding court. Jack Williams was in there as well. Dale Crider and Rod MacDonald were in the mix and many, many more.

Starting to droop I began the wander back, stopped by Jerry Mincey’s fire and chatted a bit, then meandered on back to the bunk on wheels - 3:30 is late enough for me! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ . . . .

Sunday, May 3

As you might guess, I slept in a bit waking just in time for lunch . . . barely. I headed over for a burger and a hot dog at the hospitality area (and a LOT of coffee). I wasn’t to play until 3:40 on the Florida Stage, but I had plenty of cleaning up and departure preparations to take care of, so I got busy. As I cleaned and organized I ran into one and another friends and began the goodbyes. Sunday was a good bit warmer, more like the usual Gamble weather we’ve had for the past few years, but the breeze kept blowing which helped a bit.

Before I knew it 3:00 was upon me. I headed on over to hear Charlie Robertson who preceded me on the Florida Stage as I got ready for my set. I started off with Banks of the Old St. Johns, Heminway’s Hurricane and State of Dreams, then by prearrangement Ron & Bari Litschauer and Stan Geberer joined me and we rocked ‘em with Teppintine, Withlacoochee Dreamer, There’s Always a Middle and Steam Train. I love playing with those guys and they add so much to the performance. When we were finished Rod MacDonald closed the Florida Stage and another Gamble Rogers Festival was in the can.

I went and collected my CD $$ and product from the sales area and quickly loaded and hooked up to the rolling behemoth. Many more goodbyes were exchanged. However, with the afternoon heat I was glad to get into the airconditioned car and I was off for the run home. See you next year Mr. Rogers!