Western Music & Cowboy Americana

Hello friends,

We are hoping to start a conversation regarding Western Festivals. We are apealing to performers and audience alike for input on what makes a great festival for you. From location and logistics to sound and performer quality, gate fees and vendors, green room perks and performance pay, what makes you want to attend or perform? What makes you never go back again? Tell us your likes and dislikes.

The purpose behind this is to help promote and grow Western Music and Cowboy Poetry into a valueable and recognizeable entertainement and educational resource.

Howdy ya'll,

   I appreciate the topic of this conversation. I've been performing now in the Western genre for about 3 years and I feel like I've found a home here. I've performed at festivals that have left a lasting impression on me and others that have slipped into the back of my mind somewhere, the difference between them for me has been the access to the fans as well as the "Headliners" and fellow performers. One of the ways that our genre is going to improve it's quality and appeal is if we as performers get an opportunity, even if for a moment, to be able to pick up tips and suggestions from those who are at the top of the genre. I for one have learned so much about this business, and continue to learn more every day , from the few I've been able to have conversations with it has helped immensely. I will forever be great ful to Curly and Belinda for their advice..."It's all about relationships", and my friend Del Shields says, "it should be about comradery not competition". So long story short...from a performers standpoint I will return and recommend those gatherings that give me/us those types of opportunities. 

Great insights Richard. I wish there were  more opportunities to visit with the top level performers and really ask the questions that need answered. Most festivals are hectic and we all pretty much just wave at each other in passing to the next stage.

I suggested a few years ago that new performers at the WMA be assigned a mentor for the event.  Someone who who would attend a minimum number of the new persons performances and give them honest critiques on performance, engaging the audience etc.  Hopefully, that relationship would continue after the festival and be fruitful for all parties involved, as well as creating a forward momentum of helpfulness and coaching.    Also, to have each performer be "graded" at some point in the event by an upper level performer.  Open mic performers should have to meet certain standards before being able to progress to day shows etc.   Day show performers have to meet certain standards before progressing to night shows etc.   Most performers want to improve their craft and would welcome the challanges presented to them by those more skilled and expereinced.

Our intention is to raise the bar across the Western Music genre to a level that is respected beyond Country and Rock. We have to be better at what we do, as well as be willing to mentor and coach those just coming up.

This should be an interesting discussion.  Thanks for starting it.  Western Festivals were the highlights of my year!  The WMA festival used to be my "new year".  I learned TONS in jam sessions from other performers.  So as a quick reply at this time, I'd say good jam sessions are a major plus!

Oh, so true! We know so many folks who come to the festivals especially for the jams! The audiences say all the time it is their favorite part of the event as they really get close to the entertainers and see them relaxed and interacting with each other.