Directors Report

Folk Alliance International Executive Director’s Report December 2, 2011

Hi Folks,
 
Happy Happy Merry Merry.  I do hope the holiday season finds everyone well and warm.  
 
Besides the holidays, December is also the time when the Folk Alliance Conference elves are busy wrapping up showcases, panels, workshops, clinics, exhibitors, uke building, films, parties, and all things conference related.  Keep an eye on our website (under conference) for the most current list of invited showcase artists and the first draft of the panel/workshop schedule will be posted by mid December.
 
2012 CONFERENCE UPDATE, DEADLINES, & MORE INFO

CONFERENCE DEADLINES
OFFICIAL SHOWCASES: Today (December 2) is the final day to submit for an official showcase through Sonicbids, but we will allow mail-in showcase entries through Monday (postmarked by December 5).  The mail-in form is available on our website and in our newsletters.  Our goal is to inform all entries of their status by December 15.  Even though our goal is to slightly reduce the total number of showcases this year, there are currently plenty of official showcase artists still to be invited.
 
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION: Today is the official deadline for early registration, but we have decided to extend the earlybird price through midnight on December 15, 2011 (this will be the final deadline for the lowest price).  You can register online through our website or utilize our mail/fax forms also located on our website under conference.  If all that fails, you are welcome to call our office and the FAI elves will take care of that for you.
 
PRIVATE SHOWCASES
 
Any Folk Alliance member/conference registrant may be a Private Showcase presenter. They just need to fill out a private showcase presenter agreement. The upfront fee of $100 must be paid when turning in the contract to the Folk Alliance (via mail or fax). Once the contract and fee are processed, the presenter may then book their room with the Marriott ($151/night plus fees). There is a 3-night minimum booking (Thur., Fri., Sat. nights, Wednesday is optional), and the presenter must attend a fire safety orientation on the Wednesday or Thursday of the conference.
 
As in the past, we will print all private showcase schedules in the annual Vic Heyman Rosetta Stone/Private Showcase Directory that is distributed to all conference registrants.  With the help of the legendary Bill Isles, we will begin collecting that information in mid January.
 
Private showcase hours are Wednesday (9:00pm – 2:00am), Thursday – Saturday (2:00pm – 4:00pm & 10:30pm – 3:00am).  The official private showcase contract is available on our website under 2012 conference information.

*** PRESENTERS: There are still a limited number of private showcase rooms available at the Marriott, but they will sell out soon.  All of the instructions for private showcase presenters is available on our website.  Please remember that everyone at Folk Alliance must be registered for the conference to participate.  The private showcase floors are never open to the public.  *Remember – we must have your completed private showcase contract (located on the website) before your private showcase room is considered confirmed.
 
ARTISTS: We will begin the solicitation for private showcases this weekend through our special private showcase listserv.  (FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net">FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net <www.FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net/">http://www.FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net> ) How it works – all/only private showcase presenters are members of this listserv and they are the only ones that receive the listserv postings.  Artists or artists reps will post their private showcase needs and desires to this list and private showcase presenters will post their availabilities. This is also a good forum for presenters to recommendations to other presenters.  Again the email to use to post your private showcase requests is:FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net">FAI_PrivateShows [at] folkserv [dot] net  Please remember, you are not joining this list, only posting to this list. You will not receive the postings, only the private presenters receive these postings.
 
HOTEL
If you have not reserved your non-music floor rooms yet, please do.  As in the past, the hotel will sell out and we do not want to see anyone bumped to other hotels during the conference.  
 
Rooms are now available on both music and quiet floors at the hotel.  The music floors are the top three floors of the hotel (17-19) and are only available to private showcase presenters.  You are allowed to sleep in your private showcase rooms, but please – no music on the quiet floors.
 
To book a Quiet Floor Room - Folk Alliance room rate $141, Mention Folk for rate, 1-506-474-2009/1-800-266-9432 or book online from our website.  To book a music floor room, see the Private Showcase info.
 
OPENING RECEPTION (Wednesday, February 22 @ 5pm)
Join us for a drink and a nosh at the conference opening reception at the Marriott with very special guest James McMurtry.

FOLK ALLIANCE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS PROGRAM (Wednesday, February 22 @ 6:00pm)
This year’s Folk Alliance Awards program will focus on the 2012 Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards featuring special presentations for 2012 recipients Harry Belafonte, Robert Johnson, and the Highlander Center hosted by the voice of folk, Gene Shay.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPECTACULAR (Wednesday, February 22 @ 7:00 – 11:00pm)
Wednesday night is our only on site performances that are open to the general public and our registrants.  This year’s program will be highlighted by a special tribute to the late Memphis area producer Jim Dickinson and will feature appearances by Jim’s sons Luther and Cody (North Mississippi All-Stars) and some very special guests. There will be a total of seven stages on Wednesday night.

KEYNOTE (Thursday, February 23 @ 11:00am)
Folk Alliance International is pleased to announce that legendary music industry icon Bob Lefsetz will be a featured keynote at the 24th annual International Folk Alliance Conference, February 22-26, 2012 in Memphis.
 
Bob Lefsetz, Santa Monica-based industry legend, is the author of the e-mail newsletter, "The Lefsetz Letter".  His intense brilliance captivates readers from Trent Reznor to Tom Rush to Bryan Adams to Quincy Jones to music business honchos like Michael Rapino, Randy Phillips, Cliff Burnstein and Irving Azoff.  Never boring, always entertaining, Mr. Lefsetz's insights are fueled by his stint as an entertainment business attorney, majordomo of Sanctuary Music's American division and consultancies to major labels.
 
FEATURES
The 2012 International Folk Alliance Conference will celebrate the centennials for Folk music legends Woody Guthrie, Robert Johnson, and Bill Monroe and with special concerts, panels, presentations, and workshops.   Actor/Singer-songwriter Ronny Cox will present a special 40th anniversary screening of Deliverance with some very special guests to be announced. 
 
VOLUNTEER
It takes a village of volunteers to produce our annual conference and here is your chance to work a few hours at the conference in exchange for your conference registration.  You must be a current FAI member to qualify for a conference volunteer position.  Those in the Memphis area may get their volunteer hours in before the conference begins by helping around the office or in the conference load-in process.  Email volunteers [at] folk [dot] org">volunteers [at] folk [dot] org for a volunteer application.
 
MARKETING
There is still plenty of time to reserve exhibit space, jpeg or program book advertising, special sponsorships, or any other marketing services, please contact cindy [at] folk [dot] org">cindy [at] folk [dot] org
 
FAI on DITTYTV.COM
During the upcoming conference we will be broadcasting 24/7 live on the internet on www.dittytv.com <http://www.dittytv.com> featuring many of the official and unofficial showcase artists, special music clinics, executive roundtables, films, videos, classic concerts, and much more.  Keep an eye on dittytv.com and folk.org for updates and more information.  Recent DittyTV/Folk Alliance webcasts have included Kinky Friedman, Star & Micey, Deering & Down, Andy Cohen.  The DittyTV studio is located just down Main Street from the Marriott next to our FAI Headquarters and open to limited number of audience members and there is no charge to watch Folk Alliance programming on DittyTV, but donations are always appreciated.  

2012 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
(see below)
 
***ORGANIZATION NEWS***

YOUR CURRENT FAI BOARD OF DIRECTORS - As of December 1, 2011 (expiration date)
Renee Bodie/President (exp 2014), Michelle Conceison/Vice President (2013), Art Menius/Secretary (exp 2013), Donald Davidoff/Treasurer (exp 2012), Anya Siglin/Member At Large (exp 2014), Dan Navarro (exp 2012), Linda Fahey (exp 2012), Mike Gormley (exp 2012), Ralph Sutton (exp 2012), David Hirshland (exp 2012), Chris Frayer (2012), Tim McFadden (2012), Greg Johnson (exp 2013), Wendy Waldman (exp 2013), Dave Marsh (exp 2013), James Lee Stanley (exp 2014), Joel Rafael (exp 2014), Mary Sue Twohy (2014)
 
IT’S BOARD ELECTION TIME – YOUR VOTE COUNTS
*** IMPORTANT: To be eligible to vote, you must be a current voting member of Folk Alliance International as of 11:59pm on December 2, 2011. (if you are part of an organization or your membership is expired - you will not receive a ballot. Each organization only receives one ballot for their organization)
 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR FOLK ALLIANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS / 2012-2015 TERM

Pursuant to the Folk Alliance ByLaws, the Nominating Committee hereby announces its first slate of candidates for the Folk Alliance International Board of Directors. The seven candidates below will run for five available seats on the Board.  Elected members will serve a three-year term beginning with the Annual General Membership meeting held at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, February 22-26, 2012.
 
In accordance with the Alternate Election Procedure outlined by the Folk Alliance ByLaws, the election will be conducted via the internet balloting service. Hard-copy mail-in ballots will be provided for any member who requests one, or who lacks e-mail or internet service.
 
Election ballots will go live on BallotBin, or be mailed out Saturday, December 3, 2011 and must be completed or returned (not postmarked, but delivered) by Wednesday, February 1, 2012 to be counted.
 
The Nominating Committee first slate of candidates for Board of Directors for the 2012-2015 term are, in alphabetical order:
Jenni Finlay - Austin, TX. President, Jenni Finlay Promotions (Radio promotion)
Chris Frayer (incumbent) - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Artistic Director, Winnipeg Folk Festival
Mike Gormley (incumbent) - Los Angeles, CA.  President Yes Dear Entertainment (artist management)
David Hirshland (incumbent) - Los Angeles, CA. President of Bug Music Publishing.
Joan Kornblith - Washington DC. Producer-host, Voice of America Radio
Tim McFadden (incumbent) - Nashville, TN. VP of Promotion, R&J Records
Dan Navarro (incumbent) – Venice, CA. Singer, songwriter, recording artist
 
FAI SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD (join us!)
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FolkAlliance
Twitter: http://twitter.com/folkalliance
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/thefolkalliance 
To request adding Folk Alliance to your social media pages, please contact anna [at] folk [dot] org">anna [at] folk [dot] org
 
SIRUS/XM – THE VILLAGE
Each month Folk Alliance hosts a one hour music program on The Village produced by a different member of our staff.  The December Holiday Show was produced by Cindy and features all kinds of cool holiday music from the folk community.  You can listen online.  Check http://www.siriusxm.com/thevillage for exact broadcast times.  Big thanks to The Village’s Mary Sue Twohy for all her help and support.
 
MARKETING/PROMOTION
If you would like to distribute free Folk Alliance stickers and postcards at your gigs or venue, please drop a line to fa [at] folk [dot] org">fa [at] folk [dot] org <fa [at] folk [dot] org">mailto:fa [at] folk [dot] org> and will send a package of goodies to you asap.
 
FOLK GRAMMY NOMINATIONS
Congrats to the five final nominees and their labels for the 2012 Folk Album Grammy. Check below for a full list of Folk & Roots nominees.
 
BEST FOLK ALBUM NOMINEES
1. BARTON HOLLOW - The Civil Wars [Sensibility Music LLC]
2. I'LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE - Steve Earle [New West Records]
3. HELPLESSNESS BLUES - Fleet Foxes [Sub Pop]
4. UKULELE SONGS - Eddie Vedder [Monkeywrench Inc./Universal Republic]
5. THE HARROW & THE HARVEST - Gillian Welch [Acony Records]
 
2013 – OH CANADA!
Don’t forget we will be bringing our annual International Folk Alliance Conference to Canada in 2013.  The dates are February 20-24 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. Look for some extra special Canadian features at the 2012 conference just to get you in the mood for 2013. *** FYI – beginning last year, US citizens need a passport to enter Canada. If you are a US citizen and plan to attend in 2013, please make sure you have a valid passport current as of February 2013.

SUPPORT THE CAUSE - MAKE AN END OF THE YEAR DONATION: You can donate through Paypal (paypal, credit card, bank transfer) on our homepage from the DONATE button at the very top of the page, you can mail a contribution to our headquarters, and you can add a donation to your annual renewal form.  Donations of instruments, concert tickets, music books, CD’s, LP’s, etc. are always welcome and can be used for various fundraising.  You can also designate if you want your donation utilized for a specific purpose like our scholarship fund, community outreach, Cindy’s retirement fund, etc.  Anything you can do to help is always appreciated.  For more information on giving opportunities, please email fa [at] folk [dot] org">fa [at] folk [dot] org.
 
That’s it from the FAI World Headquarters.  Have a great holiday season and I look forward to seeing all of in Memphis.
 
From all of us at Folk Alliance to all of you – 
Have a healthy and happy holiday.
 
Best to all,
Louis
 
Louis Jay Meyers
Executive Director, Folk Alliance International
510 South Main Street
Memphis, TN 38103
 
901-522-1170
louis [at] folk [dot] org">louis [at] folk [dot] org
www.folk.org <http://www.folk.org> 
 
*******************
 
2012 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
all events at the Memphis Marriott or Cook Convention Center unless noted 
Information as of December 2, 2011 – subject to change

Tuesday, February 21, 2012
5:00pm: Tote Bag Stuffing Celebration
9:00pm: Post Stuffing Party and Open Mic 
 
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
11:00am: Registration Opens
2:00pm: First Timer Orientation Open Mic
3:00pm: Workshops, Clinics, Films
5:00pm: Conference Opening Reception
6:00pm: Folk Alliance Lifetime Achievement Awards
7:00pm: Feature Shows, Jam Sessions
9:00pm: Private Showcases
 
Thursday, February 23, 2012
9:00am: Registration Opens
9:30am: Annual General Membership Meeting
11:00am: Opening Remarks & Keynote Address w/Bob Lefsetz
12:15pm: Panels, Workshops, Clinics
1:00pm: Exhibit Hall Setup
2:00pm: Folk DJ Reception, Private Showcases, Open Mic
3:00pm: Exhibit Hall Open (CC)
5:45pm: Feature Shows
7:00pm: Performance Alley Official Showcases
10:30pm: Jam Sessions, Private Showcases
 
Friday, February 24, 2012
9:00am: Registration Opens
9:30am: Regional Breakout Meetings
11:00am: Kid’s Music Showcase, Panels, Workshops, Clinics, Films
2:00pm: Private Showcases, Open Mic
3:00pm: Exhibit Hall Open (CC)
5:45pm: Feature Shows
7:00pm: Performance Alley Official Showcases
10:30pm: Jam Sessions, Private Showcases
 
Saturday, February 25, 2012
9:00am: Registration Opens
10:00am: Panels, Workshops, Clinics, Films
2:00pm: Private Showcases, Open Mic
3:00pm: Exhibit Hall Open
6:00pm: Performance Alley Official Showcases
10:30pm: Private Showcases
 
Sunday, February 26, 2012
9:30am: Closing Gospel Brunch
11:00am: Memphis Tours: Graceland, Stax, Sun, Rev. Al Green’s Church
12:00pm: Future of FAI Think Tank (tba)
7:00pm: Closing Party (tba)

***********************************
 
2012 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS IN THE FOLK COMMUNITY

Record Of The Year
 
Bon Iver
HOLOCENE
Justin Vernon, producer; Brian Joseph & Justin Vernon, engineers/mixers
Track from: Bon Iver [Jagjaguwar]
 
Mumford & Sons
THE CAVE
Markus Dravs, producer; Francois Chevallier & Ruadhri Cushnan, engineers/mixers
Track from: Sigh No More [Glassnote Records]
 
-----------------
 
Song Of The Year
 
THE CAVE
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
Track from: Sigh No More [Glassnote Records]
 
HOLOCENE
Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)
Track from: Bon Iver [Jagjaguwar; Publisher: April Base Publishing]
 
---------------
 
Best New Artist
 
BON IVER
 
----------------
 
Best Rock Performance
 
DOWN BY THE WATER
The Decemberists
Track from: The King Is Dead [Capitol]
 
THE CAVE
Mumford & Sons
Track from: Sigh No More [Glassnote Records]
 
-----------------
 
Best Rock Song
 
THE CAVE
Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)
Track from: Sigh No More [Glassnote Records]
 
-----------------
 
Best Alternative Music Album
 
BON IVER
Bon Iver [Jagjaguwar]
 
----------------
 
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
 
BARTON HOLLOW
The Civil Wars
Track from: Barton Hollow [Sensibility Music LLC]
 
------------------
 
Best Children’s Record
 
I LOVE: TOM T. HALL'S SONGS OF FOX HOLLOW
(Various Artists)
Eric Brace & Peter Cooper, producers [Red Beet Records]
 
------------------
 
Best Instrumental Composition
LIFE IN ELEVEN
Béla Fleck & Howard Levy, composers (Béla Fleck & The Flecktones)
Track from: Rocket Science [eOne Music]
 
-------------------
 
Best Album Notes
 
HEAR ME HOWLING!: BLUES, BALLADS & BEYOND AS RECORDED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BY CHRIS STRACHWITZ IN THE 1960S
Adam Machado, album notes writer (Various Artists)
[Arhoolie Records]
 
------------------
 
Best Historical Album
 
HEAR ME HOWLING!: BLUES, BALLADS & BEYOND AS RECORDED BY THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY BY CHRIS STRACHWITZ IN THE 1960S
Chris Strachwitz, compilation producer; Mike Cogan, mastering engineer (Various Artists)
[Arhoolie Records]
 
-------------------
 
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
 
FOLLOW ME DOWN
Brandon Bell & Gary Paczosa, engineers; Sangwook "Sunny" Nam & Doug Sax, mastering engineers 
(Sarah Jarosz) [Sugar Hill Records]
 
THE HARROW & THE HARVEST
Matt Andrews, engineer; Stephen Marcussen, mastering engineer
(Gillian Welch) [Acony Records]
 
THE NEXT RIGHT THING
Kevin Killen, Brendan Muldowney & John Shyloski, engineers; John Shyloski, mastering engineer 
(Seth Glier) [MPress Records]
 
PAPER AIRPLANE
Mike Shipley, engineer; Brad Blackwood, mastering engineer
(Alison Krauss & Union Station) [Rounder]
 
-------------------
 
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF RECORDING ARTS & SCIENCES, INC.
54th Annual GRAMMY® Awards
Final Nominations List
 
BEST FOLK ALBUM
 
1. BARTON HOLLOW
The Civil Wars [Sensibility Music LLC]
 
2. I'LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE
Steve Earle [New West Records]
 
3. HELPLESSNESS BLUES
Fleet Foxes [Sub Pop]
 
4. UKULELE SONGS
Eddie Vedder [Monkeywrench Inc./Universal Republic]
 
5. THE HARROW & THE HARVEST
Gillian Welch [Acony Records]
 
--------------
 
BEST AMERICANA ALBUM
 
1. EMOTIONAL JUKEBOX
Linda Chorney [Dance More Less War Records]
 
2. PULL UP SOME DUST AND SIT DOWN
Ry Cooder [Perro Verde Records LLC/Nonesuch]
 
3. HARD BARGAIN
Emmylou Harris [Nonesuch]
 
4. RAMBLE AT THE RYMAN
Levon Helm [Vanguard/Dirt Farmer Music]
 
5. BLESSED
Lucinda Williams [Lost Highway Records]
 
-------------
 
BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
 
1. PAPER AIRPLANE
Alison Krauss & Union Station [Rounder]
 
2. REASON AND RHYME: BLUEGRASS SONGS BY ROBERT HUNTER & JIM LAUDERDALE
Jim Lauderdale [Sugar Hill Records]
 
3. RARE BIRD ALERT
Steve Martin And The Steep Canyon Rangers [Rounder]
 
4. OLD MEMORIES: THE SONGS OF BILL MONROE
The Del McCoury Band [McCoury Music]
 
5. A MOTHER'S PRAYER
Ralph Stanley [Rebel Records]
 
6. SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN
Chris Thile & Michael Daves [Nonesuch]
 
------------
 
BEST BLUES ALBUM
 
1. LOW COUNTRY BLUES
Gregg Allman [Rounder]
 
2. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
Marcia Ball [Alligator]
 
3. MAN IN MOTION
Warren Haynes [Stax Records]
 
4. THE REFLECTION
Keb Mo [Yolabelle International/Ryko Records]
 
5. REVELATOR
Tedeschi Trucks Band [Masterworks]
 
--------------
 
BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM
 
1. CAN'T SIT DOWN
C.J. Chenier [World Village]
 
2. WAO AKUA - THE FOREST OF THE GODS
George Kahumoku, Jr. [Daniel Ho Creations]
 
3. REBIRTH OF NEW ORLEANS
Rebirth Brass Band [Basin Street Records]
 
4. GRAND ISLE
Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys [Mamou Playboy Records]
 
5. NOT JUST ANOTHER POLKA
Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra [Starr Records]
 
For more information on Folk Alliance, please visit www.folk.org <http://www.folk.org> 
 
And to all a goodnight.