In this episode we talk to Sam Calhoun about being one of five full time, year-around employees of FloydFest.
From being a stage actor in NYC, putting on hippy music festivals in Boone, NC, and trying to single-handedly change the mission of a small town newspaper, Sam's experience within the American arts and culture scene is both unique and expansive.
He talks about what happens behind the scenes at the festival, what it costs to pay all the bands, and how FloydFest almost became too commercial one year and how they've made changes to not let that happen again.
We check out three bands playing the festival this year:
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats "SOB" 32:32
Con Brio "Never Be The Same" 49:53
Femi Kuti "Dem Bobo" 1:16:32
______________________________________________________________
A big thanks goes out to the main sponsor of this show, Photobooth: by Andy Cox Photography
Andy Cox Photography is a proud sponsor of FloydFest for the second year, and will be located on the left-hand side of the main stage of vendor row. They will be offering three different instant print products: classic photostrips, a 4x6 photo collage, and single 4x6 prints, all branded with the FloydFest logo and artwork. VIP's should look for their free print coupons in their VIP swag bags!
Sign up for Lonesome Banjo email updates at www.lonesomebanjochronicles.com
In this week's episode we talk with Nick McDaniels, singer and guitarist from the Burlington, NC band Big Something
Nick talks about what it takes to balance the growth of a band as well as running their festival, The Big What?.
He describes how the festival got started and what it's like behind the scenes. He also talks about what's the most important lessons he's learned, and why he thinks The Big What? experience is unique for both fans and musicians.
He also tells us about the worst moment Big Something has had onstage and how they overcame it.
Nick chose three bands from this year's festival to feature:
Turkuaz from Brooklyn, NY -- "X.Y.Z" 15:21
Dr. Bacon from Asheville, NC -- "When I'm Gone" 29:16
Spiritual Rez from Boston, MA -- "Bring It On" 40:52
We also listen to one of the first Big Something songs ever written, "A Simple Vision" 53:24
A big thanks to Floyd Fest for making us an official partner last week! Floyd Fest is consistently voted as one of the best southeastern experiences by numerous publications every year.
This year's headliners include: Greg Allman, Bruce Hornsby, Greensky Bluegrass, The Wood Bros, Warren Haynes, Railroad Earth, Femi Kuti and Positive Force, and many others.
This year's festival is July 27-31st. Check out www.floydfest.com for more info.
Sign up for the Lonesome Banjo email list at www.lonesomebanjochronicles.com
In this episode I talk with Nikki Talley, a singer/songwriter that has spent the last four years living in a van with her husband Jason Sharp.
Most musicians say they live in a van or bus, but Nikki and Jason gave up a good job and their house to become full time musical vagabonds--a dream many have, but few would ever attempt.
We talk about their decision to go to the Telluride Songwriting Contest and why placing second might have been better than placing first.
Nikki also talks about having 500 songs written and how the idea of success changes as we get older.
We listen to four songs:
"Travelin On" 25:28
"Rainy Day" 51:11
"Railroad Boy" 1:05:11
"Go Out On The Water" 1:21:08
This episode is brought to you by The Big What. A NC music festival hosted by Big Something that takes place July 21-23 near Mebane, NC. Featured headliners include: Turkuaz, Spiritual Rez, Dr. Bacon, The Werks, and Pigeons Playing Pingpong.
Visit www.thebigwhat.com for more info.
And also by Floyd Fest. A World Music festival that features outdoor experiences such as mountain biking, river floats, disc golf, and daily hikes.
Consistently listed as one of the top festival experiences of the east coast, Floyd Fest 16 will feature: Greg Allman, Bruce Hornsby, Warren Haynes, Leftover Salmon, Greensky Bluegrass, Shaky Graves, Nathaniel Rateliff, Railroad Earth, The Wood Bros, and many others.
Visit www.floydfest.com for more info.