2008 FRFF/Grassy Hill: Emerging Artist Showcase

[rzee]

The real question is WHY is Lucy Wainwright Roche on the list? I'm not criticizing her talent, only the fact that she's from a family, or shall I say dynasty, of famous musicians and her name alone can get her far. I'm sure there are artists without the music industry connections she has who could've truly benefited by performing in this showcase.

[john r]

"emerging" artist as i have said before does not seem to apply to many of the performers in the showcase. i can understand an experienced performer who may not be known in the NE, although he h=may have a big following in some other region. but even then, it seems to be a mismatch between a young, truly emerging performer, and a very experienced multi-cd regional performer.

last year, i thought the showcase was one of the strongest i have ever seen. this year, the weakest. (this is not just my opinion, but one i heard from many people , some whom i consider expert and very good judges). when the list came out, i was disappointed that some really talented people (like beth de sombre who writes some of the best lyrics i have heard in quite some time) did not make it, nor did several other winners from contests i have heard at other festivals. so i was expecting some real talent. with a couple of exceptions, i not only did not find it but heard some extraordinarily weak performances.

i suspect that are many strong and differing opinions

[sarah3335]

The emerging artist showcase should be for emerging artists or those emerging in the Northeast. People like Anne Heaton and Amy Speace do not belong in the emerging artist showcase.

[Notlob]

The emerging artist showcase should be for emerging artists or those emerging in the Northeast. People like Anne Heaton and Amy Speace do not belong in the emerging artist showcase.

Last time I checked, Anne was a resident of Somerville.

The emerging artist showcase should be open to all residents of the planet Earth, maybe aliens, too!

[sarah3335]

I was saying Anne Heaton is not really emerging, she's a bit more established than any other artist in the showcase. If you're already established you don't need to be an emerging artist and should have your own slot

[john r]

<<The emerging artist showcase should be open to all residents of the planet Earth, maybe aliens, too!>>

i think you may have missed my point - what i mean to say is that emerging artists should be "emerging" - not those who have been around for a while, produced several CDs, and who are relatively well know. however, i allowed for a possible exception - a regional artist who may be well know in let's say florida or california but who is unknown to northeastern audiences - and i even have qualms about that.

what do we mean by "emerging?" we have had people like heaton and speace this year, kate mcdonnell, edie carey, don conoscenti, and many other seasoned performers in the past. to me, they are not "emerging."

if you want to make everyone eligible, then call it a singer-songwriter competition, not an emerging artist showcase.

[rzee]

How many applicants were there?

[john r]

465 applicants

[TyteFystedFolkie]

[quote="Notlob"][quote]The emerging artist showcase should be for emerging artists or those emerging in the Northeast. People like Anne Heaton and Amy Speace do not belong in the emerging artist showcase.[/quote]

Last time I checked, Anne was a resident of Somerville.

The emerging artist showcase should be open to all residents of the planet Earth, maybe aliens, too![/quote]

Well said.

[TyteFystedFolkie]

How does one measure the 'degree of emergence'?? Or should I say "emergement"??

[john r]

<<How does one measure the 'degree of emergence'??>>

obviously, in the absence of specific criteria (such as years performing, cds on the market, etc, etc) it is subjective - which is why we have disagreement and probably always will

[TyteFystedFolkie]

[quote="john r"]<<How does one measure the 'degree of emergence'??>>

obviously, in the absence of specific criteria (such as years performing, cds on the market, etc, etc) it is subjective - which is why we have disagreement and probably always will[/quote]

PRECISELY.....you took the words right from my tome.

[sarah3335]

I'm not saying emerging artist should exclude artists, but I think that if an artist is established or somewhat established they ought to get a slot on the main stage and not have to go through the emerging artist showcase. It also seems odd of the 3-4 emerging artists who get to the most wanted song swap only one gets to come back to the main stage the next year. They should have more of an opportunity than that, but this probably goes back to lack of slots for people due to the number of perennial acts.

[Sunny]

Does anyone know when the votes will be tallied and the results announced for the 2009 most wanted song swap?

[fivecentharpa]

I would also very much like to know when the emerging artist showcase will be tallied and announced!