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
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