Folk Music – Traveling a Different Road

If Berklee College of Music is like a microcosm of the music world, there has certainly been a huge influx of young folk musicians when in the past there were hardly any. In 2008, Berklee’s string department boasted over 100 string players, and offered new majors in mandolin and banjo. These instruments, typical of ‘folk’ music, are quickly becoming mainstream with the likes of Bela Fleck, Chris Thile, and Mark O’Connor. These superstars are inspiring, and many young musicians are choosing a path in folk music—and contributing to its revival.
Folk music, of course, is truly the people’s music, seemingly appealing for its heritage value. It also crosses over into world music—or is it the other way round? Pop/rock artists like Paul Simon, Sting, Elton John and Rod Stewart are incorporating much ethnic music, feeding a resurgence of interest in folk music. You can listen to an Irish jig, a traditional African song, or a James Taylor ballad, but it is the common cultural and communal experience that binds an audience together.
Folk festivals, in particular, are the big draw. There are many across North America, and most occur in major cities during the summer season. A listing can be found at HYPERLINK “http://efolkmusic.org/Resources/FolkFestivals.aspx” http://efolkmusic.org/Resources/FolkFestivals.aspx. Other popular events are conferences, where well-known and unknown artists perform, jam and meet with other industry professionals (see, for instance, HYPERLINK “http://www.folkalliance.org/”www.folkalliance.org or HYPERLINK “http://www.folk.org/”www.folk.org). Specific folk genres, such as the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference (held in Nashville, TN Sept 29-Oct 2 2008) HYPERLINK “http://www.ibma.org/”www.ibma.org and the International Fiddle Convention give depth to the field.
There is also a huge competition circuit in North America for traditional fiddle music, both Canadian and American, and traditional dance; i.e. Irish, Scottish, Highland and Canadian Step-Dancing. These contests attract the best musicians from around the world and can run for a week. The prize money is often very considerable. In some cases, an entire town is taken over, no sleep is had, and good friendship and music is shared to last until the next year!
The links quoted above suggest that folk festivals, especially, can attract thousands of people. There is always a tent or two set up for all the artists of the festival to sell their merchandise. Often, this might be the only place available to buy artist product, as many folk acts, as great as they may be, might not be on a record label or even the Internet.
Folk artists make their living mostly by performing. This is why many folk acts tour so much, and team up with other artists to collaborate on recordings and tours. It is a great way to be able to tour periodically, and keeps it interesting and fun for the artists and audiences. Product is also cross-sold with that of perhaps better-known artists.
As many folk artists are not on a label contract, there is a lot of self-financing or grant picking to produced any recorded music. As there are no advances, and CDs go for $15 to $20 at festivals or gigs, it usually doesn’t take too much in order for a folk musician to come up with some profit. In pop music a hit record might sell 1 million albums, but in the folk music world, a great selling album sells just 10 thousand. It is conceivable, therefore, for a great selling folk CD to generate as much profit as a mid-level artist on a pop CD.
It is possible to have a very successful career as a musician while not necessarily needing to follow the typical road of a pop star. As an award-winning fiddle player, I have toured large theaters, folk festivals, private houses, pub gigs, and performed in concerts of every kind in North America. I go where there is an interest in music, both as a form of culture and entertainment. I will be honored to represent the Canada Pavilion in the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in China this summer.

By Ivonne Hernandez

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