Bits and Pieces: XM’s THE VILLAGE TO RETURN, GUY DAVIS PERFORMS AN HISTORIC ROLE, GEORGE MCTAVEY (HUSBAND OF SLOAN WAINWRIGHT) PASSES
A few weeks ago, Sirius/XM gave their folk music channel “a vacation” in order to make room for some Holiday channels. While these channels were spinning out seasonal ditties that we’ve all heard ad nauseum in shopping malls, elevators and commercial radio, folk music fans were left in the cold. (Well, maybe not completely – terrestrial radio shows like WFDU-FM’s Traditions continue to broadcast. )
The good news is that The Village is scheduled to return on January 2nd. When the “vacation” was first announced, the Village was going to return on December 26th, but some programming genius decided that Bing Crosby needed a couple more spins of “White Christmas”. Brilliant move. Sort of makes you wonder why some people are on the unemployment line and others are holding down jobs and making such ridiculous decisions.
I urge everyone who subscribes to satellite radio to send a note of complaint about losing “our” channel, even if it was for a few weeks. Don’t be put off by the form letter you will received. Your voice WILL be heard, and if enough of us complain, they will think twice before attempting this again. It is also important to let the management know that folk music is a growing audience and this channel is important. There is strength in numbers, and it all begins with one!!
Vic and Reba have been tireless supporters of folk music. Their support has enabled many a singer-songwriter the opportunity to be heard. Vic was a former board member of the Kerrville Folk Festival, with Reba he ran a concert series in Maryland, they wrote reviews in Sing Out!, and they were mainstays at festivals and folk conference across North America.
I’ve had the honor of working with Vic and Reba on the formal showcase committee for the Northeast Regional Folk Committe and was inspired by their genuine love of the music and the contemporary folk community. The love is reciprocal. Thank you for all you have done and my thoughts, prayers and love are with you at this difficult time.