Backporch Entertainment
When you are passionate about something you can convince yourself of anything!
2011 has been a measure of this.
My love of this music was something that developed and was nurtured. It started years ago as a tolerance (someone I loved listened to it and it was a case of if you can't beat them, join them) but snuck up on me and took hold. Before I knew it, I was hooked, absorbing not only the music, but the values and stories of the people who bring and brought Bluegrass music to us. When you finally get past the title, the magnitude of talent is awe inspiring especially instrumentally. I was content to listen and learn. Then, one day in a garage like coffee house in the middle of Nowhere, Arizona, I had an epiphany – why can't I do this at home. Looking around the room, hearing the music, talking to the Chapmans and the fans – I made the decision – I'm going to do whatever I can to share this music back home. There had to be other people like me who loved this, or at the very least would appreciate the skill and talent of these musicians. Right???
The artists and their support teams were the easy part. If you want to speak to Claire Lynch, Charlie Sizemore, The Chapmans, etc you just pick up the phone or send an email and they get back to you themselves. The prices are higher than expected (by a lot) but only because there is nowhere close for us to draw from and travel costs are high. The politics of venue holds and bookings was new, but we dealt with great people at the West End, William Glesby and PW Enns. Media would support us, right, especially when we were paying for it?? Any eye opener there! But if you spend thousands and thousands of dollars people will hear about it and come – right? We joined MOBS and supported the local events, support those who you hope will support you and if not, at least do your part to walk the walk.
Well, in reality it doesn't quite work out. We have met some of the nicest people in the industry and forged some incredible friendships. We have been proud to host one of the finest songwriters, singers and over all nicest persons ever, in Ms. Claire Lynch and have working relationships with the Chapmans, The Gibson Bros, The Boxcars, Woody and the Steep Canyon Rangers, and a host of media people in the industry down south. But here at home, it's been a bigger challenge than what we thought. Main stream media is not interested (unless your name is Steve Martin and even then you had to look for the article) MOBS tried, but 8 people is still 8 people and their circle of influence isn't as great as you would hope. Even family and friends, well not everyone's taste is the same and it's my passion not theirs. Disappointing cancellations by venues and artists and there you have it. Tens of thousands of lost dollars later and you look in the mirror and say…We're done? You can't beat a dead horse!
Nope – you say "Put on your thinking cap, Pull up your Big Boy Pants and go back to the beginning" – "it's not over until I say it's over". I'm not sure how, but we'll see you in 2012!