Epistemic Ingemination

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NOTE: this blog is no longer active as of 12/07. New one: http://blog.kirchhof.com

Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur.

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Fri, 10 Feb 2006

North American Folk Alliance Convention

I've just had a wonderful day. One of those "twelve hours changes the universe" sort, like I took a really good day trip to a state park or something.

The quality of the music that I heard today was just marvelous. We did a 2.5 hour open mic sign-up, and the twelve artists that signed up to play were among the best that I've seen in my career, which spans wide, and which goes back to Austin at its most fertile in the mid '70's. And I saw this at a walk up and play. Just astounding.

The South Austin Jug Band did a BMI showcase on my stage, and they are absolutely at the peak of their game. One of the very best bands around.

Save up enough money to go to the festival in Memphis next year, or spend $650.00 for three more days here. It all takes place inside the Hilton, 11 stages. No drunks, no sixth street. I am here to tell you that there is still very, very good music out there. You just don't hear it, these days, without looking for it.

God, it was refreshing. No "next big thing" buzz; no hipper-than-thou scenesters. Just people who have dedicated their lives to making music, really good music, with real musical instruments and real harmony and real counterpoint and real lyrics, wearing comfortable clothing and sharing their art. I have never seen so many kind, smiling greetings among strangers in my life.

Faith restored.

Posted at 22:14 by Randy Kirchhof [Permalink] [Reload all] [E-mail]