2008 FRFF/Grassy Hill: Emerging Artist Showcase

[sarah3335]

beg to differ with your opinion, Falcon Ridge is not your local coffee house or open mic, it draws artists and patrons from throughout the US and worldwide. Its "emerging" artists should never be restricted to a geography.

I wasn't saying just people in the northeast should be in the emerging artist showcase, but emerging artists should be in the showcase. I don't consider Anne Heaton and Amy Speace exactly emerging artists. There are some artists that are established in other parts of the country that would be considered emerging artists here.

[Notlob]

I wasn't saying just people in the northeast should be in the emerging artist showcase, but emerging artists should be in the showcase. I don't consider Anne Heaton and Amy Speace exactly emerging artists. There are some artists that are established in other parts of the country that would be considered emerging artists here.

I agree with you there, and would add Vienna Tang (2007?).

It appears we may have differeing definitions of "emerging".

Relative to what? Having a regional but not yet national presence (Anne and Amy fit that definition)? Road warriors, touring nationally and playing house concerts and small art centers and church coffee houses (Greg Klyma and the two west coast "emerging" artists who shared my camp fit that definition)? Breaking into/playing minor stages at festivals?

I'd draw the line at "road warrior" (above). Another view perhaps is, since I am from the Cambridge area and most familiar with Passim artists, having played at a Passim "campfire" or opened, but not yet featured.

Perhaps Anne and/or a member of the selection committee can provide the FRFF definition.

[john r]

an FR definition would be very interesting, since every year there is a dispute over the "emergingness" of some of the artists. in some instances, it does seem to include those who might be well know in their region and with several CDs under their belt. Should they be included? In other instances. it has included some very well know and well traveled people (kate mcdonnell and edie carey come to mind).

[horvendile]

I'd add Jim Infantino to he list. I first saw him ten years before he emerged at frff. That didn't stop me from voting for him as he's amazing and wanted him back the next year.

an FR definition would be very interesting, since every year there is a dispute over the "emergingness" of some of the artists. in some instances, it does seem to include those who might be well know in their region and with several CDs under their belt. Should they be included? In other instances. it has included some very well know and well traveled people (kate mcdonnell and edie carey come to mind).

[PaulC]

I wasn't saying just people in the northeast should be in the emerging artist showcase, but emerging artists should be in the showcase. I don't consider Anne Heaton and Amy Speace exactly emerging artists. There are some artists that are established in other parts of the country that would be considered emerging artists here.

I agree with you there, and would add Vienna Tang (2007?).

It appears we may have differeing definitions of "emerging".

Relative to what? Having a regional but not yet national presence (Anne and Amy fit that definition)? Road warriors, touring nationally and playing house concerts and small art centers and church coffee houses (Greg Klyma and the two west coast "emerging" artists who shared my camp fit that definition)? Breaking into/playing minor stages at festivals?

I'd draw the line at "road warrior" (above). Another view perhaps is, since I am from the Cambridge area and most familiar with Passim artists, having played at a Passim "campfire" or opened, but not yet featured.

Perhaps Anne and/or a member of the selection committee can provide the FRFF definition.

This is from the emerging artist showcase page of FRFF's website. I think it qualifies as a definition:

http://www.falconridgefolk.com/showcase-info.html

"The FALCON RIDGE/GRASSY HILL EMERGING ARTIST SHOWCASE is open to all performers who have NOT showcased or appeared as a feature act at FRFF in the last 2 years and who will not be appearing in any other capacity this year. This includes a sideperson or special guest appearance."

That seems pretty straight forward and clear cut to me. Qualifying seems to be based on talent of the artist, sound quality of the submission and opinion of the judges.
There will always be disagreement on those selected as art is always subjective. What music appeals to one may not appeal to others. However, regardless of who wins the positive outcome of the showcase is that I am exposed to artists I probably would have never heard live like Terence Martin, Open Book, and Joe Jencks to name a few.

[sarah3335]

"The FALCON RIDGE/GRASSY HILL EMERGING ARTIST SHOWCASE is open to all performers who have NOT showcased or appeared as a feature act at FRFF in the last 2 years and who will not be appearing in any other capacity this year. This includes a sideperson or special guest appearance."

That seems pretty straight forward and clear cut to me. Qualifying seems to be based on talent of the artist, sound quality of the submission and opinion of the judges.
There will always be disagreement on those selected as art is always subjective. What music appeals to one may not appeal to others. However, regardless of who wins the positive outcome of the showcase is that I am exposed to artists I probably would have never heard live like Terence Martin, Open Book, and Joe Jencks to name a few.

Yes but saying someone who hasn't appeared in the last two years means say someone like Shawn Colvin could potentially go through the emerging artists. There are plenty of artists who are established who wouldn't want to do the emerging artists and I think the emerging artists showcase should be for emerging artists, not just someone who hasn't appeared at falcon ridge in 2 years. If the artist is established they should be on the mainstage. One of the problems with having so many returning acts every year is that there are fewer mainstage spots for new acts or acts that haven't appeared in awhile.

[PaulC]

I agree, if an artist is established they shouldn't be in the showcase, but I doubt they would want to. Remember a new artist only gets 10 minutes on the main stage(that's if they get selected to be in the showcase).
I agree with you about having so many returning acts limits openings on the main stage for other artists. I like alot of the returning acts but like to see new artists as well. Not sure what the answer is there. I guess try to find a balance between the two.

[john r]

I agree, if an artist is established they shouldn't be in the showcase, but I doubt they would want to. Remember a new artist only gets 10 minutes on the main stage(that's if they get selected to be in the showcase).
I agree with you about having so many returning acts limits openings on the main stage for other artists. I like alot of the returning acts but like to see new artists as well. Not sure what the answer is there. I guess try to find a balance between the two.

apparently the do want to...the 3 mentioned before are a case in point. i cannot be certain why they apply...perhaps they would like to get on the mainstage but have never been invited and see this as a way to get their foot in the door.

in addition to those "more seasoned" artists like kate and edie and jim, i have seen others like don conscenti and brian joseph, who may not be well known in the NE, appear in the showcase. even though FR draws rom a national, even international, base, the vast majority of patrons are from the NE and the upper south, and most of the mainstage artists we see are well known in these regions. appearing in the showcase may be a strategy to broaden one's audience. they are "emerging" in that sense.

i have a greater understanding of including experienced people trying to become known in the NE than i do with including northeastern headliners who have yet to appear on the FR mainstage.

[carpetofstars]

I agree, if an artist is established they shouldn't be in the showcase, but I doubt they would want to. Remember a new artist only gets 10 minutes on the main stage(that's if they get selected to be in the showcase).

Yes, but didn't Lowen & Navarro, for instance, apply to the new artist showcase the first year they came to the festival? I thought I remembered them and Anne talking about it at a workshop, and them saying they thought it would be the best way to get her attention.

[PaulC]

I agree, if an artist is established they shouldn't be in the showcase, but I doubt they would want to. Remember a new artist only gets 10 minutes on the main stage(that's if they get selected to be in the showcase).

Yes, but didn't Lowen & Navarro, for instance, apply to the new artist showcase the first year they came to the festival? I thought I remembered them and Anne talking about it at a workshop, and them saying they thought it would be the best way to get her attention.

I'd never heard of Lowen & Navarro before they played at FRFF. But if it is true sending in a cd to the new artist showcase seems to have worked for them.

[john r]

[quote="PaulCI'd never heard of Lowen & Navarro before they played at FRFF. But if it is true sending in a cd to the new artist showcase seems to have worked for them.[/quote]

maybe the working definition of "emerging artist" we are groping toward is a performer who is not all that well known, or not know at all, by most of the FR audience, aalthough i can still think of a few exceptions.

[Notlob]

Last night I had a most interesting conversation with a member of a FRFF 2008 "emerging" band".

They are in a quandary. Not knowing their status, they are unsure if they should accept a gig offer that conflicts with FRFF 2009.

Accept the offer and decline FRFF emerging tour and main stage (if selected)?

or

Decline the gig and wait/hope for Falcon Ridge to come through?

As a hobbyist producer, I had a related thought. Venues are now booking for Spring 2009. Any who had been "emerging" tour venues in the past need to make booking decisions soon. Their lack of knowledge about the 2009 tour is impacting other artists.

Hope a decision is made sooner rather than later.

[ckocher]

When did we know last year's winners? I seem to recall it being pretty late - even into early 2008. But memory could be playing tricks here.

[DanTappan]

When did we know last year's winners? I seem to recall it being pretty late - even into early 2008. But memory could be playing tricks here.

It was September 5.

---

from FalcRidge@aol.com
date Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 11:26 AM
subject Falcon Ridge Central ENews 07 Iss 3
mailed-by aol.com

Happy Autumn,
....
This 3rd full Enewsletter of 07 has info on:

1 - FRFF 08 dates
2 - Falcon Ridge/Kerrville Festival at Sea - Jan 21-26 2008
3 - FRFF Forum launching on website
4 - FRFF 07 Top Voted Showcasers announced

[ckocher]

See - just goes to show what I know!


Chris