This is well worth the listen. Chris killed it at the CMAs last week!
Like
MIDWEEEK WRAP UP
Hey folks. Well, the sun is out, the beach is beautiful, and it is about 70 degrees. People are out on the beach and we are beginning to stir around here. A pretty amazing experience. It is Veterans day so I am in my usual routine, writing Internet stuff, watching SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, and trying to send notes to veterans I know thanking them for their service. Always an interesting thing, because my family came to American in 1724. We have fought in every war this country has had. I am one of the few who didn't serve. Between wars, and just managed to miss the call. But I have incredible feelings toward those guys and so I try to observe them as much as I can. On days like today I like to pick up someone's meal without them knowing or get some gas, or whatever just to do something they didn't see coming.
My way of observing and thanking.
The shows here have all been amazing. Jimbeau and I have gotten the best slots, all very packed very classy places. Main room at the Florabama, Sunset Cork Room, with it's black glass and very upscale fare, a very nice RV park with huge Prevosts buses, a 23rd floor ultra modern five million dollar condo with incredible views, and last night's ultra posh PERDIDO BEACH RESORT, one of our best venues for 10 years, till they dropped out seven years ago. They have started back this year and I think we proved they made the right decision.
An interesting aspect of this year is that all of our shows are two hours. Most of the writers shows here are one hour. And that usually has three people. At first we thought RUSTY GOLDEN, was going to be with us. Rusty is the son of William Lee Golden, the big beard guy from the Oak Ridge Boys, and a very good writer and keyboard player. Rusty has gone through five years of sobriety, and gotten big time into Christian, music. Has had five number one songs. He was supposed to be with us, but at the last minute got a HUGE MONEY booking in Dubai, in the Middle East.
So that has left me and the Beau man on our own. Which we do pretty easily.
But when you are both a little older, have a LOT of uptempo and humorous material, in addition to the heartstrings stuff, you have to pace it out. I have to watch our voices, and have even tuned down a full step, and am doing many songs in totally different keys. I have to think on my feet and transpose as we go. Jimbeau and I know each other instinctively and are not only big in your face singers, but we are also a running comedian show. Then Jimbeau, having hundreds of cuts, two number ones, and a Grammy Nomination, provides our "credibility" while I tend to keep up with my own songs that SHOULD HAVE BEEN HITS.
The last two shows have featured more of our ballads and more somber songs and we tell a little more stories. The reason for that is a lot of these people know us and have heard the songs, but like to know the details BEHIND the songs. So many of them have planned their vacations around us and with twenty-twenty five other shows going on a night at the same time, they come to see us. Some will see us three or four times before it is over. It's very much like a high school reunion here.
An interesting thing happened last night. One of the songs I am well known for is called OLD MEMORIES. It is a song that was on hold 19 times, cut three times, once by Patty Loveless, but never released on an album. It is a pretty well known song among songwriters and producers and a couple of huge artists and producers have vowed to cut it but it just never happens. But last night, I had the GIRL I WROTE IT ABOUT, in the house, and was able to get one of my oldest and best friends who organized the FOOD NETWORK stuff, to get up and sing it with us. So that was a thrill.
And being able to do 24 NOTES, the song Big Ed and I wrote about Veterans is very special to be able to do on this day. Stuns the crowd and gets a standing ovation every time. I wish I had made up a bunch more of those CD's and given them to every Veteran. Really moving. Makes all this worth it because THEY made it work for us.
This thing is full of those kinds of moments.
Today there is a "kids" event, with a workshop and some performances, and I'll go to that one. Probably meet some potential tour clients there. Then I'll swing by the Bama and see the new people coming into town. Tonight we play the Bama Dome, which is the second bigger stage at the Florabama. Again, another powerhouse night. This one will only be an hour show. Thank God. Be careful what you ask for. You may get it.
We have five more shows to go on through the weekend and then will head back after the last one Saturday afternoon.
It is all an amazing time, with hit songwriters everywhere, amazing shows and all with the most affordable prices you can ever imagine. If there was ever a place for a RAMPBASH, this is it. But I can lead you to water...
Have a good day.
MAB
Phil,
That is a small world!!! Frank is an awesome guy, he is a solo act, but his band back in the day was Mason Dixon. They had a song called When Karen Comes Around, 13 Billboard charted songs. I don't know if you heard him sing or if he played the song, but his favorite song of mine is all about a coin (maybe a buffalo nickel) I can't remember, but his song takes you through the journey this coin had made since it was printed. Awesome storyteller, and in my opinion a spitting image of Charlie Daniels LOL they could be twins! Thanks for sharing brother Phil sounds like you are networking your tail off!!!! Way to go!!!
That is a small world!!! Frank is an awesome guy, he is a solo act, but his band back in the day was Mason Dixon. They had a song called When Karen Comes Around, 13 Billboard charted songs. I don't know if you heard him sing or if he played the song, but his favorite song of mine is all about a coin (maybe a buffalo nickel) I can't remember, but his song takes you through the journey this coin had made since it was printed. Awesome storyteller, and in my opinion a spitting image of Charlie Daniels LOL they could be twins! Thanks for sharing brother Phil sounds like you are networking your tail off!!!! Way to go!!!
Good morning y'all from sunny Gulf Shores, AL. Well, like MAB said, this Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival IS AMAZING!! Yes. The shows are amazing! Got to see MAB and Jimbeau twice, and they really entertain the audience! While all the other writers here do have some great songs, they tend to just sing their songs. In some cases, the stories and interaction between the artists is what makes their shows entertaining. BUT, the REAL AMAZING thing about this festival is RELATIONSHIPS. ALL of these writers are just plain down to earth guys and gals. And getting to know some of these folks is what this festival is really about for me. And when I get off the open mic stage, and one of those writers comes up and says, "really liked your songs", THAT is success!! And yesterday, when I played MAB, RiDawn and mine's song, "Bored Games", a lady in the audience was talking to MAB and loved the song so much she wanted "buy" a copy of it. So, this morning I e-mailed her an MP3. And of course it was a gift. I also met Ronny McKinley. He spent several years writing with the late great Hank Cochran. AND, he lives in Lake City, FL, about 1 1/2 hours north of me. Real great guy! He asked me for a business card and said we should get together and write.
So, if you want a report on how great specific shows are, or how great a guy one of the writers is, YOU HAVE TO BE HERE. I met Frank Gilligan from a town near Spring, Texas where Justin lives. Bobby Tomberlin grew up in a small town near Montgomery, AL, real close to the small town I grew up in. Darwin Nelson is from Ocean Spring, MS, and is one of the organizers of the Mississippi Songwriter Festival, and asked me to contact him about possibly getting a slot in next years festival. I carried Bill LaBounty's keyboard to the stage for him last night because he was having problems with his back. These are just some of the exciting things you just cannot experience unless you are here!!
phil g.
FRANK BROWN INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITERS FESTIVAL
MARC-ALAN BARNETTE
THE REGATTA, CONDOMINIUMS, GULF SHORES ALABAMA, NOV, 15, 2015.
WRAP UP
Well it is the last day of this festival, and it has been amazing. Jimbeau Hinson and I have played nine shows in ten days and had an incredible time. I have talked about this over and over, and I won't say much more other than if you love songwriting you REALLY should come down here. Every November, over 200 of the best writers in the world FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, of all styles, shapes, types of music converge here. It is truely the best example of songwriting and performing in the world. If you want a REAL RAMPBASH, this is where you should have it.
The most fun thing of this trip was an actual visit from OD, THE OLD DOG, STEVE HARRIS. He is here now, and made it for three days. The best part was the look on the face of Phil, when he actually showed up. A great experience.
I try to come here to tell tales about the music industry, warn of upcoming upheavals, and try to answer questions I am asked. I have enjoyed my experiences with you all, and really enjoy it when I get to meet you face to face and show you what I am talking about. I have seen more things than most songwriters ever get a chance to and am very blessed to have the experiences I have. My sincere thanks to all the fans and friends along the way.
It is an amazing thing to do, write and perform music, and even if you are just doing it for yourself, always do it the best you can. I will always try to get people OUT OF THE LIVING ROOM and into the real world, but if you are going to stay in your own world, that is fine too. Just try to share what you do with as many as you can. Never let your highs be too high or lows be too low. Never believe all the hype or get carried away with yourself, and never take yourself too seriously. Keep it in perspective. But never BEAT YOURSELF UP or get too down either. You can always write another song. Always come up with a twist, always touch someone else's life.
As always, I am always around if you need me. Just ask. Have a good one.
As always, I am always around if you need me. Just ask. Have a good one.
REMEMBER
YOU DON'T CHOOSE MUSIC, MUSIC CHOOSES YOU.
YOU DON'T CHOOSE MUSIC, MUSIC CHOOSES YOU.
MARC-ALAN BARNETTE
THE REGATTA, CONDOMINIUMS, GULF SHORES ALABAMA, NOV, 15, 2015.
MAB and ALL,
I think that is a great idea to hold the Ramp Bash at the FloraBama in Gulf Shores. Let's run it by Eddie Minyard and the FloraBama people. What would the dates be?
Eddie R
I think that is a great idea to hold the Ramp Bash at the FloraBama in Gulf Shores. Let's run it by Eddie Minyard and the FloraBama people. What would the dates be?
Eddie R
Eddie Rhoades said...
MAB and ALL,
I think that is a great idea to hold the Ramp Bash at the FloraBama in Gulf Shores. Let's run it by Eddie Minyard and the FloraBama people. What would the dates be?
Eddie R
Its been agreed In principle that rampbashes in other towns are fine. The question remains Who is gonna organise it ?
I am sure that if some raises their hand to do so , it will be so !
Well, my last day here also. One last report. MAB and Jimbeau are always just GREAT!! Real entertainers. They have a pretty big following down here and I'm sure they could come down anytime and be a big hit. Again, I cannot explain the magic. You just HAD TO BE HERE!!!
What a GREAT surprise getting to see OD again!! It was really funny how it happened. MAB and OD were coming up the stairs looking for me, just as I was walking out the door to go do something. Of course I saw and recognized MAB right away. Didn't even see OD, because he was the LAST person I was expecting to see. He was sort of beside and a little behind MAB, and after I shook MAB's hand, OD put's his hand out and says, " Hi. I'm OD" Of course, before the words got out of his mouth I recognized him. But it was really funny, and I wish I could have seen the look on my face. I'm sure it was priceless! THANKS OD FOR MAKING MY TRIP!!!! It was GREAT catching up again. If you ever feel like getting out of the house and taking a trip, come on down to Ocala. I even have your own house (well, RV) you can live in while you're here! LOL And you'll even have your own coffee maker! LOL Actually, that invitation goes out to all of you Rampers!
The last great thing I had happen was I got to catch up with Chris and Camille Wallin again. Caught their set, and afterwards went up to talk to them. Now, I met Chris many years ago, and then met him and Camille about 2-3 years ago in Nashville. I told them they probably didn't remember me and introduced myself. They said I looked familiar. Then I reminded them of the time in Nashville and the first time I heard Camille's song, "Breath". A song about a mother talking to her premature baby. It happened right at a time when there had been a premature birth of one of my grand children, so the song really hit home. They both remembered that night and it was some kind of magical connection between us.
One other thing about Chris. Every song he played tonight was a top 5 or #1 country hit. AND, every one of those songs, the first time I heard it on the radio, I thought, "You know, I bet Chris Wallin wrote that song. I could see in his eyes he was really excited when I told him that. BUT, it IS true. These top writers all have their own "signature" if you will, and once you hear their first big hit, you can recognize that signature in every new song they write when you hear it. Even MAB's songs have a signature and I can recognize it. There are a few songs he has that are recorded by other artists, and when I hear those artists sing that song, I just somehow know MAB was a writer on it.
it's amazing, if you just GET OUT, the wonderful, and very talented people you can meet. Will I ever get a chance to write with these folks? I HIGHLY doubt it! BUT, that is not my goal anyway. I just want to be able to say I know the guy who wrote that song.
So, that is the FBISF report. If anyone has any specific questions about the festival, I'll try to answer them.
phil g.
There reports are very interesting even for me waaaaaaay over here
jw
jw
Good morning everyone from sunny, but not so warm, Ocala, FL!!! Was a very good, fun trip!! I have friends in the Gulf Shores area, as well as the Nashville friends that come down. Was just so good to catch up. Wish I could get back there and Nashville more often.
phil g.
Phil: Sounds like you are making quite the impression up there at the beach. How many open mics did you get to do? How many songs can you play from memory now? Keep up the great work.
Kevin, Yep. Making "impressions". I don't know though if it's a, "alright! He's back.", or a, "Oh, him again." LOL. I think I did about 6 or 7 open mic's, 2 songs each. So, that's 14 I [almost] can play by memory. Got another 20 or so too.
Gotta go for now.
phil g.
Phillip (phil g.) Grigg said...
Kevin, Yep. Making "impressions". I don't know though if it's a, "alright! He's back.", or a, "Oh, him again." LOL. I think I did about 6 or 7 open mic's, 2 songs each. So, that's 14 I [almost] can play by memory. Got another 20 or so too.
Gotta go for now. -- phil g.
That's pretty good. I only have about six now that I feel confident that I can do with only the minimal random mess-ups! I guess I have another 5-10 that are close to semi-close to being ready. I think for 2016 I might have to try and get back into the open mic stuff. Lots of opportunities in the general area, but they are a drive and later at night. Of course you are driving from Ocala to Gainesville, so I guess I shouldn't complain (ha, ha). I do have late night deer to contend with -- but maybe you do too.
Kevin said, " I do have late night deer to contend with". Good to hear there's still romance in your life, Kevin.
Well Kevin, I didn't say I wouldn't mess up. I usually pick 3-6 songs and practice them for about 2-3 days, including the day of. I get them so good in my music room. But it's different on the stage looking out at an audience. One thing I've learned is to not worry as much about chord progressions as remembering lyrics. But I think what happens is, watching the audience (which you really should do, because after all, you are singing to them) I will get distracted by someone smiling or tapping and just forget where I am in the song. I guess more doing it will help cure that deficiency. BUT THEN, the other thing that happens is I will decide at the last moment either just before going on stage or just after (for what ever reason) to do one or more different songs! I usually work on the ones I have trouble with several times a day, but try to get to all of them at least once a day. And no, I don't have a "late night dear" to contend with. She doesn't even want to go out to open mic's, so I get home when I get home.
AND, with all the songs you've written for your challenge groups, you should have close to 100 songs to work with! Yes, you really should get some face to face time when you can. It's about a 45-60 min. drive to my open mic's. Not terribly bad. It's not the time though. It's the gas. Thank goodness that's going down. Makes the drive a little easier.
phil g.
No I meant deer, -- the four legged kind -- not "dear".
Oh, I have a lot of songs, but when you cut it down to songs that can be reasonably done with just an guitar/vocal, it probably goes down to 30 to 50. Of those I only have 15-20 that I would be interested in doing. I did a few open mics here for awhile and they went OK. If I know the song, I probably won't have too many mess-ups. Of course, it has been awhile, so I have to learn how to sing into a mic all over again! When you perform without a mic (or a condenser mic) you can be all over the place and still be heard. At the same time I don't have an overriding desire to actually perform -- so that hurts, too
In any case, you are living the life and I will enjoy it vicariously for now!
Kevin, I seriously did not read your post correctly. But, it would be a coo play on words, meaning your "dear" would not like to stay out too late with you. I guess there aren't as many "deer" I have to contend with because It's all interstate driving. There is one other route I sometimes take, but it is also a major few traffic lights 4 lane road, and I don't see many "deer" along the side of the road.
Well, we still have not had MAB check in to let us know he's back in Nashville. Eddie R. has posted since he got back home. He and brother Robert are a force the women have to deal with! LOL Wish I could get back up to Nashville more often. But right now it's looking like it will be June or July before I can get back. Was really great catching up with everyone. I don't want to wait another year to keep in touch.
phil g.
Now there is an open mic within a mile of my house or so tonight. I have played it a few times in the past. I will see if my "dear" will accompany me tonight to just listen for awhile. It starts at 9pm (a restaurant/bar), so it does start kind of late for a week night. I won't play tonight, but maybe soon again.
MABs suggestion to hold a Ramp Bash at the Flora-Bama is a great idea. Eddie Minyard says plans are already made for 2016 so let's go ahead and talk about 2017.I will be glad to volunteer to help with this. I have already sent an email to Donna but now I need to tell her we are talking about 2017. She is the booking agent for the Flora-Bama. They all know and love MAB down there. My first suggestion is that anyone attending from abroad should get an automatic slot on a round.
Eddie R
Eddie R
Eddie,
That is not going to happen. Not how the Frank Brown festival works. There are only so many slots on the rounds and shows, so the first people will be the hit writers, followed by the "legacy and known" (people that have attended for years, like yourself) writers, up and coming artists, and then the locals. As it is everyone is not going to get a slot as about 600 apply for the availible 185 slots. So there will not be a "Songramp round" opportunity.
There will be the daily Florabama open mic, and probably some other clubs that host afternoon or other events that could be tied in. But since most of the Ramp people are more interested in staying in their own areas, doing guitar pulls, reunions, etc. that would be fine also. By going to some place like the REGATTA, several condo units could be rented close together, giving everyone their own bedroom and space, there could be gatherings, place to cook food, porches with a beach view, and many places to jam and play music. That would be the advantage to the Rampers.
The Frank Brown festival have some pretty established rules for the rounds and next year, everyone, even myself, have to re-submit for application to the festival. That is going to be an entirely new set of rules. But it basically is this. People need to come down the first year, partcipate in the open mics, show up at other shows, show an interest in supporting the festival FIRST. Then they can be added into round opportunities as time goes on. The only fair way to do it.
Yourself, Gary Cavanagh, AJ Bigler (who also runs sound), and many others, have been coming down for years before being offered rounds And of course, over the past few years there has been a "grandfather"system, where people were included their first time if they performed with established artists. That is going to change next year. It has to, just like Nashville there are just too many people coming to support the amount of venues and slots availabile. That is the reason for the "youth shows" at Lulus, and other "side efforts, like the school shows and such. There is only so much money to pay people and only so many slots to be offered. Also, only so many "free lodging" to be offered. So it has to be trimmed back somewhat. In fact, I secure my own lodging at the Regatta, and always get other people to come down so they can rent units, so that the Regatta makes money as well.
My suggestion of a Ramp Bash down there would be because of various issues regarding the Nashville events. It is off season in the Gulf Shores, Perdido Key area, so rooms are more affordable and more availilble. Over 200 of the Nashville writers are DOWN THERE, so if people want to see the shows and intereact with them, they can.The shows are also very conveniently located and it is many of the same shows as Tin Pan South, so it would be the same effect if Rampers wanted to see the "Big Dog shows." And there are availible space and opportunities for them to gather, eat great food, and be much more convineinetly located, than some of the houses they have rented on the outskirts of Nashville. Basically, it is just a MUCH more conducive environment for a Ramp Bash type event.
Now, if you volunteer to help organize for the Rampers, (would not be paid for by the festival, you need to understand that) and help with logistics, lodging, airlines, transportation, etc. that would be a good thing. You have been there several years, know the area, and could help with that. You could even help orgainize some guitar pulls. But I doubt you would be able to get much assistance from the Festival staff for this. They have their hands quite full as it is. And as you saw over the past ten days I have my hands more than full. Between getting myself and Jimbeau on the shows themselves, running all of that, getting everyone paid, getting our own lodgings, dealing with the involvement at the OYSTER FESTIVAL, our private party from the Food Network chefs, my own teaching appointments, and my own out of town guests, there is NO WAY I could take on any more responsibility. I would be happy to drop by, say hello and welcome everyone down, give out a few tips on shows, resturants, etc. but I am pretty booked up down there.
This is just a location the Rampers have not been to before and they have often discussed having the Ramp bash somewhere besides Nashville. That is the reason for my suggestion. Just putting it out there.
MAB
Here is an idea. The FBISF starts the first (or second) Thursday of November. And there is a local kickoff party that Wednesday before. What if we did a Ramp Bash the weekend/weekdays before the festival kickoff? Cathy Pace hosts an open mic the Monday before the festival, and another one the Monday night of the festival. Maybe we could work out something with her? The idea of having our bash right before the festival is members could still stay for the first 3 days or so of the festival if they wanted to. And it might be easier to get stage time at the Flora-Bama. Just a thought.
MAB, thanks for checking in. I'm sure this means you're home now. Also, got a text from Gary C. He and AJ are back in Nashville also. Now if we could get a report on Dean Dillon who could not make the festival for health reasons, and Rusty Golden who could not make the festival because he was stuck in Dubai.
phil g.
Hey Phil,
Dean is fine I believe. I think everyone has gotten back and on to reality.
Anything would be fine if people SUPPORT the open mics or anything like that. Kathy would be happy to put people up as well as Don and Karen. People all just have to understand that THEY have to support other things and it is not just about them. One of the complaints we get here on writers nights, open mics, and down there, are that everyone wants to get put onto shows, everyone wants to get the cool gigs, but very few want to show up, wait their turn in line, etc. Around five years ago there was a big problem at Frank Brown where a LOT of the older veterans all brought their co=-writers and friends and then friends of friends to play the festival. And everyone was expecting a show and getting paid.
What this created was a LOT of problems, because some of the old guys got their noses out of shape because their people didn't get on after they had been promised, a lot of really drunk people DID get on, and a lot of very rude people all just created a mess. That is actually WHY you have the open mic. They were not doing that until then. The idea was to put people onto the open mics and at least give them some playing times. But they had to wait in line.
Then this year you saw what was happening with twenty and thirty people showing up to play. And some of those got kind of nasty as they sat around drinking Bushwackers and getting buzzed while waiting to go on. The Bama has their regular rounds starting at 7:00 and have to clean the room out.
Five years ago there were about SIX HUNDRED PEOPLE SHOWING UP! And there was no place to put them. And it is getting back to that now. So they are having to make some changes to the rules for next year.
Also there are some writers who don't behave themselves while they are down there. It is a very seductive thing, playing around on the beach, getting drunk and partying. A lot of people let down their guards and some have had to be uninvited to the festival. We both saw it a few times this year as well. On the one you saw, a few people had mentioned that, and I believe that individual will not be there next year, at least not on an official show. Hard to keep them off the open mics. But some will be asked to "skip a year" before they can come back.
These things can get out of hand very quickly. The entire atmosphere is very laid back, but that doesn't mean people can just go nuts. There still has to be elements of professionalism involved. We are all representatives of songwriting down there and we should never forget that. It is a great opportunity and should be EARNED into. People that don't treat it with the proper respect, should pay the price.
I, of course feel the same way on all of songwriting. There are now just SO MANY people trying to do this all the time.
If people can't behave themselves, have some common sense about them, they should NOT be allowed to be a part of the main shows. A career in music means OFF THE STAGE AS well as ON THE STAGE. And the people that abuse that, (who I have had to deal with a LOT of,) just screw it up for everyone. So those people need to find some other place that will be better for them.
MAB
I went to a songwriting workshop last month in Dallas. I won a free premium demo by Beaird Music Group in Nashville. Wendy went with me and we promised each other if either one won, we would do a song we co wrote together. I would love to visit Nashville. I have 6 months, just found out last night so lots of time to plan.
Peggy
@ Eddie Rhoades re rampbash.
Eddie you would need to decide what the proposed bash is going to be about.
Playing out at open mics and attending shows or a family guitar pull and jamfest..?
The latter is fairly easy you just need a suitable venue, ideally that accommodates folk on-site and have a few rooms for different sessions and proximity to town for additional accommodation.
For the former, just look at the Nashville experience , A Venue and motel rooms are a lot more difficult close to town when another main event is on . Simply check back om Marcs comments in earlier posts about a bash at TPS time . I think there is a long post from Marc in the ramp bash forum thread
I know nothing bout Fb or flora bama but I can imagine holding a Bash at the same time will be extremely difficult and holding a group together to maintain the "bash Spirit" would be extremely difficult with so many other function on at the same time.
It comes back to my opening statement. There needs to be a clear vision of the purpose of the proposed bash and then work to that.
Ramp bash means different things to different folk and no one yet has put their hand to say " HEY I KNOW THE EVENT, LOCATION AND I WILL ORGANISE IT ON BEHALF OF SONGRAMP " (oops cap lock ). another VERY salient point is this..Ramp bashes are funded by the participants and attendees .
There is no funding by Songramp (unless Songramp has had a winning lottery ticket.)
I like the idea of Bashes around the country but someone needs to put their hand up to organise them and pull it all together.
Nashville works because it grew up over the years from a handful of folk for the first bash so it is relatively easy to repeat,and of course there are lots of locals who are members . Interstate? Not So easy I think.
Let me know where it is going to be and Id like to go there and see more of USA..see there is a third reason ppl go to the bashes. Music , catching up with old friends and 3rdly tourism
john
Eddie you would need to decide what the proposed bash is going to be about.
Playing out at open mics and attending shows or a family guitar pull and jamfest..?
The latter is fairly easy you just need a suitable venue, ideally that accommodates folk on-site and have a few rooms for different sessions and proximity to town for additional accommodation.
For the former, just look at the Nashville experience , A Venue and motel rooms are a lot more difficult close to town when another main event is on . Simply check back om Marcs comments in earlier posts about a bash at TPS time . I think there is a long post from Marc in the ramp bash forum thread
I know nothing bout Fb or flora bama but I can imagine holding a Bash at the same time will be extremely difficult and holding a group together to maintain the "bash Spirit" would be extremely difficult with so many other function on at the same time.
It comes back to my opening statement. There needs to be a clear vision of the purpose of the proposed bash and then work to that.
Ramp bash means different things to different folk and no one yet has put their hand to say " HEY I KNOW THE EVENT, LOCATION AND I WILL ORGANISE IT ON BEHALF OF SONGRAMP " (oops cap lock ). another VERY salient point is this..Ramp bashes are funded by the participants and attendees .
There is no funding by Songramp (unless Songramp has had a winning lottery ticket.)
I like the idea of Bashes around the country but someone needs to put their hand up to organise them and pull it all together.
Nashville works because it grew up over the years from a handful of folk for the first bash so it is relatively easy to repeat,and of course there are lots of locals who are members . Interstate? Not So easy I think.
Let me know where it is going to be and Id like to go there and see more of USA..see there is a third reason ppl go to the bashes. Music , catching up with old friends and 3rdly tourism
john
Congratulations Peggy! Keep us posted as to when you are going. Maybe we can encourage others to come up and support you, somehow. Does Wendy play out at all? We could go to her show. Also, while you are planning, consider staying at a place called Hit Song Casa. It IS just east of the airport, but still reasonably close. AND, you can get a VERY nice CLEAN room for $40 and $50 a night. At least that was the rate this year. Joyce Medlock owns and runs the place and she is a really nice lady. I am looking for an excuse to get back to Nashville, and I enjoy meeting Ramp members.
MAB, the individual we are talking about, apparently behaves well on his scheduled nights. I met him one afternoon and he said he had to watch how much he drank because he was on that night. I also talked to him a few other times. He seems to be a nice guy. Just can't hold his liquor very well. Which I realize, is exactly what you are talking about.
phil g.