I Love the idea, just curious about your choice in geography. I live adjacent to 110 acres in Pa. Lots of access from the south and north east. A natural location around Grantville, Pa. You would have a first year turnout of 8 to 10 thousand. Locally they love outdoor festivals. Consider it….Richard Alan Cosey

Jan 19, 2006/5:40 pm

P.S.

And Fred, thanks for the compliment as well!

Yours Truly,
John thomas Oaks

Jan 18, 2006/9:46 pm

Hi Roy!

Wow! Thanks for buying one of my songs! It’s a great honor.

I fear I’ve opened up a can of worms with my TAXI comment. I realize this forum is for comments about the festival (which I’m very excited about), and not about TAXI. I’m sure TAXI has helped lots of people, and that’s great. I apologize to anyone who took offense. I’ll stop there, and maybe there will be another chance to discuss it in another forum.

Sorry about diluting this discussion! I still think the festival is a rockin’ idea, just like Broadjam itself. Looks like lots of other folks have some great comments, too!

Sincerely,
John thomas Oaks

Jan 18, 2006/9:42 pm

Sounds like a great event–fun for the performers and the audience. I recently was a music industry panelist for the South Park Music Festival. People really seemed to enjoy the event with music starting around 10 AM and finishing around 1AM for three days. Lots of people enjoyed camping on the site–really looked like they were having a great time. Industry panels and demo review panels are always beneficial. Of course, food is always a big part of any event. I think it’s always a great idea to sell CDs/merchandise whenever possible. One day festival $15-$20 and two day $25-$30 would be great. I am an eclectic fan myself–I enjoy music from jazz to rock to classical, however, I am not a big punk rock fan so I probably wouldn’t attend a festival that specialized in that genre.
Good luck with the event!!
Joey Stuckey
http://www.joeystuckey.com

Jan 18, 2006/8:53 pm

Good day Broadjam,
I think this is the coolest idea Broadjam has thought up. I know my band would be extremely excited to be a part of this festival. Even if we didn’t play we would bring everyone we know and support the cause.

We go, as a group, to some big out door events every year and we always camp out. There is nothing like late night drum circles and guitar circles. These types of events bring out the primitive culture in people. I say camp out but try to chose a location that is no more than 5-10 miles away from a hotel. This way people that are not use to the great Wisconsin outdoors can shack up in the hotels.

Steven bacon said it best as far as what else is there to do. You need guitar classes, drum circles, dancing areas, food, fun merch, a broadjam merch, Stupid games.

I think Bjam should have a tent where any broadjam member can place there stuff. Also allow access to the internet so people can sign up!

Pricing… 25->35 a day 35->50 for two days. including camping 35-60!?!?

I think getting paid would be fantastic, but I don’t like what some people have said. Musicians should play no matter what. Getting paid is great, but getting a festival up and going and known through out the states/world is crucial. Money can be tough the first few times. This festival would be good for anyone’s resume and would show how committed that person/band is to music. If we get paid cool. If not, Who really cares. I’ll pay for room and board/food/gas to play for 25-1000+ people any time of the year.

I love multiple genres but, I think trying to keep within one wouldn’t be a bad idea. But then you are trying to cater to one group of people. That may make it harder to get people through the door and make some money on the side. I think Acoustic rock/blues/jam bands/country could be a good bet. Maybe a dj! who know’s. Regardless we’ll be their!

Jan 18, 2006/12:43 pm

Maybe you would consider doing a few different ones in selected regions of the country or world if possible. The artist chosen would naturally be from that region to make travel arrangements easier.

Bigger cities for easier access and hotels, and held at outdoor venues where camping is permitted. Most big cities have a place like this. Instead of billing it as acoustic artist , maybe it can be unplugged. That way you can still be somewhat lively and have more genres. Real drums and pianos and plugged in basses. All drummers use the same basic kit and all keyboard players , the same piano. As far as ticket prices, $20-$25 a day sounds reasonable to me with a $5-10 discount for a 2-day pass as others suggested earlier. If it’s 2 days, maybe the unplugged shows can be one day and the next for your techno and DJ’s as they will need to be plugged in. I would attend as well as play if compensated. Being unplugged would make it easier to perform as well as keeping cost down.

I would be interested in selling my merch and cd’s. Other activities are fine but be careful because of insurance situations.
Industry events as mentioned earlier would be something to consider but may need to be held indoors.
Listeng booths, electronics booths , music law questions answered, publications etc. I think you have a great idea here. Best of luck. There is nothing wrong with getting help from taxi.

Billy Livesay-
http://www.billylivesay.com

Jan 17, 2006/8:24 pm

I think it sounds like a great idea! Keep the cost low for entry fee ($20-$25 for single day, $30-$35 for two days – not sure what to charge for camping…).

Selling merch for any artist would be AWESOME of course and I, myself, would LOVE LOVE LOVE TO PLAY, hang out, sell merch, PLAY, soak up the sun, PLAY, did I mention.. PLAY??? I’d love to! lol… any opportunity to bring new music to new people, BRING IT! Sounds fun, and acoustic is a fantastic way to bring it to the public… when you strip everything down, all that’s left is the song… which should be enough.

I’d definately be interested in all that might come along with playing and spending a couple of my days in this festival. jessi lynn

http://www.jessilynn.com

Jan 17, 2006/9:41 am

Roy, without dates it’s difficult to commit but, schedule willing, I’d try to make it. I’m a country songwriter and would appreciate the chance to play a song or two (or three… btw, thanks for your personal review of my song “Last Time I Go First”, a finalist in the DSA contest — I’m still feeding off the energy I got from your positive comments).

As far as ticket prices, $20-$25 a day sounds reasonable to me with a $5-10 discount for a 2-day pass as someone suggested earlier.

Finally, like a few others here, I’d like to offer my two cents on Taxi. I probably wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Taxi. For songwriters, there are so many different ways we can invest our time and money and not all of them take us directly to our final destination. While I haven’t had any songs cut because of Taxi, I have to give credit where it’s due. An email message in 2004 from Taxi’s Michael Laskow alerted me to the first ever DurangoSong EXPO in Santa Barbara. Had I not attended that EXPO, I likely would have never met Beth Nielsen Chapman. Had I not attended Beth’s workshop in Nashville in 2005, I would not have met Dan Harr, publisher of musicnewsnashville.com. Through Dan I learned of a new songwriter workshop in Nashville. At that workshop I met, and am now writing with, a hit writer who recently had a #1 song on the Billboard Country Singles chart.

It isn’t always the direct route that gets us where we want to go.

Jan 17, 2006/12:14 am

This event would only be for local artistes as I don’t see how Artistes from say BARBADOS would be able to attend unless they’re being covered..but it is definitly a good idea why don’t you hold a compe to choose people for a tour and get sponsorship for that…that would be great for everyone..

Jan 17, 2006/12:00 am

Hi Roy, and everyone else

My name is Steven Bacon and I’m a songwriter based out of Maine. I recently was a board member of the maine songwriters association and before that I organized a number of festival like shows to raise money for those in need. I’ve learned a few things that maybe helpful here.

I’ll answer each of your questions:

1. I would want to camp on the festival grounds, both for the community aspect and the i’m a broke musicain aspect.

2. Besides live performance, i’d like to see:

A. Workshops: Stuff like songwriting, live sound, audio engineering, mastering your music at home, performing tips, guitar playing, getting good tone (electric guitar), using the internet for self promotion, finding a manager, getting your music heard….all that kind of stuff.

B: A brainstrom sorta meeting where we all think of new things to do with our broadjam community and websites. Anything from contest ideas to website feature/template ideas.

C. Organized jam areas….like a drum circle, an old timey music jam area, blues, songwriter. etc… i guess this will happen anyway but maybe if we take the intiative we can attract more people who’ll come for the jams.

D. Venders who have cool new products or software. Maybe this is too geeky….but I’d be excited for this.

E. Goofy games like 3 legged races and that kind of office picknik kinda stuff. sounds dumb…but it’s a good way to start off things, break the ice, create a family atmosphere.

F. Maybe there also could be some kind of songwriting contest finals at the festival…with live performances decding the outcome?

G: Cool food venders. Local people that make intersting and yummy food. Maybe even some people that make healthy food! However, please don’t do the thing were you don’t allow outside food.

H: Scholorships for some broke unknown artists from far away places (like maine, or the UK or ???) who won’t draw a crowd but deserve to be heard.

so….i know. Alot of ideas. Maybe some of them will work out? ok, back to the q & a.

3. I would be interested in selling my merch and cd’s.

4. How much to charge? For now, my answer applys to both a one day and a two day festivel: It depends on who is playing. This is really key. A first year festival has the potentail to attract just about nobody.

So, I think it’s important to have some headliners that will generate interest and help with ticket sales. Gives the local press more of a reason to make a big deal of the festival. Then you can charge more money, and those who are not as well known will get the chance to play for a bigger audience.

Another thought on headliners: If you can find some musicians who will come and not only perform, but hang out and encourage the lesser known performers, then you’ll have a really special atmosphere. People like Peter Case, Keith Sykes, and Peter Mulvey have done this for me and it’s had quite an impact on me as a musician. Sounds idealistic, but those musicains are out there….and they’d probably be willing to lead some workshops.

5.Would I play for fair compensation? Sure! Getting to play for money is a beautiful thing. What do i think is fair compensation? Well, for me, enough money for food and gas (i’m comin from maine)

6. What genres? well, I think variety is a good thing. I’m guessing you’re going acoustic because it’s so much easier to deal with on an equipment and noise level? I’d consider allowing acoustic bands if possible. Different genre’s, different countries, different approaches, different stories to tell…all good!

In closing, I’d encourage you promote this as a family event and advertise as early as possible with teasers to make people aware that something new is coming to town.

I hope some of this stuff is helpful,

- Steven Bacon
http://www.stevenbacon.com

Jan 16, 2006/11:45 pm

PS: – As far what John said earlier about TAXI., that’s a tricky side thread unto itself. I’ve heard so many positive and negative things said about that organization, I really don’t know what to think anymore. I’ve gotten both wonderful critiques and critiques that made me cringe. I’ve been forward and returned, liked and disliked. It all boils down to something what one of my old music retail bosses used to say, “It is what it is”. TAXI is a chance at a chance. It’s a little weird in that respect. Although I’m sure there’s plenty of room for improvement, one can only hope (I tend to pray a bit) that some industry person will love what one does and put the big money behind it. We all want to be that one. Most of us don’t want to force ourselves to fit into that corporate mold to do it. Those of us that do are not guaranteed success either. I could go on talking about this, but it’s probably a discussion for another day.

Fred Kimmel

Jan 16, 2006/11:08 pm

Hey Roy:

· Is this an event you would be interested in attending?
I’d be interested. I’ve become a fan of so many Broadjam artists, I’d do everything I could to make it.

· If the festival was more than one day, would you be interested in camping on the festival grounds, staying in a hotel, or would you be likely to attend just one day?
If I drive a gazillion hours from New York, I’ll probably want to stick around and see everybody who was there was to see. It all depends on what (recording or live)gigs I’d have booked in the summer. I, personally, would love to camp. Most of the rest of my family are like a bunch of housecats. They would need a hotel and a clean bathroom.

· What types of other activities, besides live performances, would you like to see at the festival?
Visual art, Fire-eating accordion playing jugglers, horse and camel rides, babysitting or daycare, and of course lots of press coverage..

· Would you be interested in selling your merchandise and CDs at the festival?
Of course!

· For a one-day festival, what is a fair price for us to charge for a ticket (not including travel, lodging etc.)?
· For a two-day festival, what is a fair price for us to charge for a ticket (not including travel, lodging etc.)?
Tricky one. I think John Thomas Oaks (He IS an amazing songwriter incidentally) had a decent price at the top.. You got a lot of struggling and hungry musicians here.
$20-25 one day. $30-35 for the whole shebang.

· Would you be interested in performing for fair compensation?
I would be very interested. Big yes on that. It may be the only way I could afford to get out there.

· What genres should we focus on for the first year? Would you only attend if certain genres of music are featured?
I’m with John on this again. I’d hate to see a limit put on genres. The word acoustic festival usually brings out the idea of a lot of country/folk (which I love) exclusivity.
I would love to see Stan Harrision do his thing with a live string quartet, or Ahmir singing with just a piano or whatever instrumentation they choose. The possibilities are endless. One of the most beneficial things I’ve experienced from Broadjam, has been that Broadjam has created more than just a way for musicians to expose their work, or submit it to TAXI. It’s created a whole community. I’ve become a fan of artists and producers in tons of genres I don’t know how I could ever discovered otherwise. It’s truly inspiring for me. I never cease to be amazed by some of the stuff I get to hear. I just wish I could hear Broadjam in my car.

Man, this sounds great. I would be SO into “performing for fair compenstation.” I will trudge my whole family from the Bronx and maybe Virginia to take part in this. Sell merchandise? Sure. Who wouldn’t want to do that? I would attend no matter what genres of music are featured. Bring on the Polka accordians and the flying punk jugglers with great balls of fire. Candlelight electronica performed on piano and guitar, man, too cool. Hope to see you all this summer in Wisconsin.

All the best,

Fred Kimmel

Jan 16, 2006/11:07 pm

Hey, put me on the list. I played outdoors at a street festival once on the lower east side and that is a great feeling. something about rock and roll on the outside. Believe me Acoustic guitars really can rock.
I’ve never been to that part of the country so that’s another plus.
I like hotels but that’s because I’m a city cat. On the other hand sleeping out under the stars can’t be bad. Well as long as the weather holds up.
It would be exciting to meet fellow Broadjamians. Broadjamers?
Cool idea.
http://www.timrocksweb.com
Tim Young

Jan 16, 2006/10:30 pm

Great idea Roy!!!

I would love to participate…I know I have enjoyed a lot of success with Broadjam and its affliates. You have really helped a lot of artists who would otherwise go unheard and unappreciated by a hungry public who has grown tired of the dull “pap” the entertainment/music industry pawns off to its audience …also, the TAXI connection makes it sooooo convenient…kudos on that deal!!!

As eclectic as Broadjam is, I don’t think mixing genres is a strong selling point unless there is ample room and time for setting up and breaking down.

Count me in!!!

Peace,
Robert Wuagneux
Vermont

Jan 16, 2006/10:27 pm

Roy,

You hv placed some important questions. Recently, I performed at WOMAD 2005, Singapore. If you’re not familiar w WOMAD, this event was founded by Peter Gabriel and it’s a massive affair.

Being in the Electronic/Dance/Hip Hop category I had a 2 hour DJ set. Myself and another DJ crew had a stage exclusive set up for our genre. While the audience area could oly handle about 1000, we packed in 3000+ (you can view the pictures here (http://www.rh.hk/GalleryDetails.aspx?EventId=25).

WOMAD had everything from funk, hip hop, DJ, Latin, Salsa, Dance Troupes (from various ethnicities), Puppetry, Jazz, Rasta, Bhangra, etc. (see http://www.womad.org).

I’d opt for a hotel and not camping grounds, provided there were special lodging deals in view of this event.

Yes, I would perform if compensated.

No, I would not attend if the festival was limited to some genres only.

r-H (www.rh.hk)
Singapore

Jan 16, 2006/9:48 pm