Phil,
That wasn't me. I don't go anywhere that I don't have gigs. The last one I did was at this festival two years ago. I ended up playing three times, but that was just an "introduction" to me. I do anything for free one time, and then if they don't invite me back I don't go. Last year I saw several of the committee members who came to Frank Brown. They asked me to come over, so starting in the Spring I tried contacting them by Facebook, email and phone and never had anyone contact me back. I was planning to go up until about a month out and then they never got back to me.
You should probably know that they asked me to come over BEFORE the festival was even a festival about 9 years ago. I contacted multiple people and they never got back to me. Then, at Frank Brown and when they would come to Nashville, once again, they would ask me to come over but NEVER confirm with me that I was playing. At one point they were even asking if I would teach a workshop. Then nothing.
I only go so far.
This year, about three weeks ago, they answered one of my messages. They said they were including me on the schedule. I was still skeptical until last week. They started using my picture on their advertising. So I guess I am playing, but STILL have not seen a schedule. Just planning on leaving next Thus. the 15th. Will be there till Sunday the 19th, then back to Nashville.
Festivals are difficult to deal with because they are very much "make it up as you go along." There are always several different board members, and they all have their own political agendas. They have venues that commit to doing things, then back out. Corporate donations that fall apart. They try to get "marquee name" artists and writers because that is what draws people in and people are the ones that pay the money to keep the festival going. So it is like juggling hand grenades, blindfolded, while standing on top of a car on the interstate traveling at 90 miles an hour. Always something that can blow up in your face. Right now they are lucky to keep a festival on. Ten years is really what you are looking for with these things. after that, advertisers, venues, and businesses can feel like they are actually going to be around. This is the 7th year for this one, and as usual, the first two were just kind of "throw it together" get together's. Much more informal. Took the Frank Brown one about 10-15 years to really get the rhythm down.
I just had to have SOME kind of acknowledgement to book my own travel plans. Now they are all done. I am staying at the Hampton, driving my car, and everything is all laid out.
On the subject of Frank Brown, I have heard back today from Pam, at the Regatta. She knows of you and OD coming down and you are all set. I am too, as well as Jimbeau, and Larry and Beckett. So we are going to have quite the crew at the Regatta. Don't know what the problem with the link is, but it worked for me. You are probably putting something in on your flip phone from 1977 wrong.
So everything is good. Hope to see you guys soon.
MAB
Like