Wendy V's Local Blend

Volume 11 Issue 5

May/June 2004 - Writer/Editor: Wendy Vickers

Related Links:
 
 Gig Calendar

Coffeehouses/venues

Just Plain Folks

Radio Regulars page

What this newsletter's about.

Matter of FAQ: So what's it (normally) take to have your CD mentioned in Wendy V's Local Blend? Click here for the guidelines! The address is always at the end of the issue!

Singer/songwriters, venues: Have a web page full of gig dates? Send me your link for the gig calendar! 

It's All About Support...

Wendy V's Local Blend was started all these many years ago in its original paper newsletter form to give support and encouragement to musicians who needed it. It's the prime reason it continues today. But to have a vital and active music scene and to ensure the arts continue to enrich our lives, it's not a job that can and should be done alone. It takes many fans to show their support ...and it takes many different ways of support. Not everybody can go to every single gig going around...and I admit I even don't get around as much as I used to. But whenever you can go show up and smile and listen to someone, you are needed and valued. You can also tell the artists that you're surfing the net now and then and noticing they've got more dates booked on their calendars, and offer your congrats, kudos, snaps, whatever. I'm sure many artists (and even us folks who support them) can speak to at least one time when they've wondered if anything they did was worth continuing. Then, along came the kind word from someone just at the right time assuring them that they were touching hearts and lives and making a difference with their work. Though encouragement is also a spiritual gift, you don't need any special talent or training to do it. It's as simple as speaking from the heart.

If you need a little assistance finding out what some local musicians are doing gigwise, my gig page at www.wendyv.com  offers some direct links to musicians' dedicated gig pages from their website. (And if you're a musician and you have a gig page on your website, let me know if you'd like to link up!)

MN Folk Festival

After a one year absence, the Minnesota Folk Festival is back! April 30, May 1 & 2, Little Log House Showgrounds, Hastings, Minnesota

Featuring: The Old Blind Dogs, John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee, Pat Donohue, The Wyrd Sisters, Ann Reed, Machinery Hill, Cam Waters, Cousin Dad, Nordic Angst, Barra, and Sara Thomsen, Winner of the 2002 Minnesota Folk Festival New Folk Songwriting Contest.

Another important annual tradition also continues: The New Folk Songwriting Contest runs 1 to 4 on Friday and Saturday, featuring 32 finalists from the State of Minnesota as well as from across the United States. This year's entrant lineup includes some familiar names as well as a host of new ones!  Head to the MN Folk Festival website for complete event information. (I'm sorry to have to miss it this year, since I'll be headed East...it was great fun to serve an an emcee for the previous New Folk Songwriting Contest!)

MN Resophonic Guitar Festival

If you're a fan of great, diverse picking, another upcoming event to check out is the Minnesota Resophonic Guitar Festival, May 15 & 16 at the Cedar Cultural Center. Among those performing/teaching will be Woody Mann, Bob Brozman, Alvin Youngblood Hart, Mike Dowling, and Pat Donohue.  Visit the website at iresonation.com for more info!

CD Spotlight:

Kellie Lin Knott  - Comfortable 
I've spoken in past issues on Kellie Lin Knott's musicianship, work ethic and devotion to perfecting her craft to be a solid a musician as she can be. Her latest CD is proof positive that hard work and striving for quality pays off. The self-penned material, instrumental work and her voice sparkle throughout. This CD should do much to enhance Kel's already brightly shining star!

Kevin Thomas- Spice of Life (Platamoose Productions)
Creativity and cleverness are traits of many of the songs on Kevin's CD. Minnesotans can certainly relate to the irony of the "Minnesota Summer Weather Song (Straight Line Winds)", and the timeliness of the woes of rising gas prices and the hassle of getting around ("Feeling Low and Immobile"). Kevin brings a refreshing light hearted perspective to some of the things that irk us, but he's also capable of some fine guitar work and is well supported by other local musicians.

Oh, and speaking of fan support.... :)

Just Released!

Wendy's audiobook follow-up to 
"Out of the Jar...and Into the World":

"Treasures In the Tip Jar: the Art of Awesome Fan Support"

So what's this all about? If you're a fan who wants to show your support for an artist, or an artist hoping for more fans to support you, this is a message you'll want to hear. This honest look at the wide world of fandom from both sides shows you how to do it right and what pitfalls to avoid. 

Topics covered on "Treasures In the Tip Jar: The Art of Awesome Fan Support" include:

- Ways to give direct fan support - creating a buzz
- How to write a fabulous fan letter
- Do's and don'ts when up close with the artists
- The joys of fan/artist communities
- When it stops being fun
- Tips for the artists: creating and keeping a loyal fan base

Now available at CDBaby.com !

Spring's here and summer's not far behind...ramp up for those outdoor showcases and gigs which happen every year over the next couple of months. I'll try to mention some of those next time!

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There are always new and updated features at www.wendyv.com ... 

Please have a look around!

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