>> What do you think of the selection?
to which Rhonda McA replied:
> Frankly I was disappointed.
I have to second that opinion. Where's Nanci Griffith? She was the "big"
act for the 25th Anniversary, and she herself has spoken of being included
on the CD of highlights ("It's a Hard Life Wherever You Go" was to be
included).
I'm thrilled to see Richard Shindell's splendid performance of "Arrowhead"
being included (I'm lucky to be in Austin where the Austin Music Network
has broadcast 30-minute performances from 1996 including sets from Richard
Shindell, Dar Williams and several others), but there were MANY great
moments in 1996 that aren't being included on the CD.
I'm frankly not all that impressed by the lineup for this year, either;
some of my favorites will be there (Pierce Pettis, Shake Russell, Sara
Hickman, Susan Werner, Darden Smith), but many of my favorite east- and
west-coasters & New Englanders won't be there (the artists we Texans don't
get to see too often).
David Grant
dgrant@eden.com
[Alan sez: One of the conundrums that a festival promoter must face is
getting the right mix of new and returning acts. It's a real testament to
the quality of the talent out there that, even in a festival that runs for
18 consecutive days, there are still many more fine acts than Rod Kennedy
can put on the stage in a single year. To his credit, I think that Rod has
been a real pioneer in exposing developing acts to mainstage audiences. The
lack of slots at most festivals (plus the popularity and longevity of some
festival favorites like Cheryl Wheeler, Greg Brown, John Gorka, Patty
Larkin, and others) have made it very hard for young acts to break onto the
mainstages at a lot of festivals.]