NERFA 2007
THE DAVE ROWE TRIO
warm up during an informal
showcase at NERFA
The Strangelings take the stage
at the prestigious formal showcase
Kim and Reggie Harris
perform at a formal showcase
I hate to admit it, but I was rather late to join the party. My first NERFA was either in 1998 or 1999 (I never keep good records!) and it has been a very rewarding experience for me. Attending the conference is a booster shot for. Each year it gives me the opportunity to hear new talent – or meet artists whose recordings I’ve shared but have not had the opportunity to see in person. Because of NERFA, I feel re-energized in hosting my radio programs – and it has led me into my involvement with the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club.
Philly Folk Fest emcee& WXPN’s
Gene Shay
introducing introducing
Spook Handy at the
Folk-DJ showcase
The event kicks off officially on Friday afternoon, but many people arrive Thursday night for the Folk-DJ showcase. As you are probably aware, there are a number of great radio programs similar to TRADITIONS that are heard throughout the country. Over a dozen hosts attended the conference, including Rich Warren who hosts The Midnight Special out of WFMT in Chicago, John Platt of WFUV, Gene Shay from WXPN, and Mary Sue Twohy of XM Satellite radio. On Thursday night, many of us got together and presented a showcase that featured artists who we nominated. The invitational showcase allowed us an opportunity to share “finds” – artists who we may have been playing on our programs but have not been exposed to wider audiences. This was one of the most exciting showcases of the entire conference and a wide variety of talent was heard from. 
Singer-songwriter Tom Breiding
I was honored to present Tom Breiding, an extremely talented songwriter from West Virginia who produced a CD this year called “The Unbroken Circle” – a collection of original songs and traditional tunes that honors the coal miners of West Virginia. I am very happy to say that Tom was well received, and hopefully more people will discover his music. My second guest was the one and only Scott Sheldon. Scott is the producer of the popular Sanctuary Concert series here in New Jersey, and he is also a gifted songwriter in the tradition of Tom Leherer. Scott closed the showcase with two of his clever songs – including one of my favorites – “Frodo” – that sums up the entire Lord of the Rings phenomenon in a few verses.
I had to miss part of the conference this year due to the Pete Seeger concert at FDU. I did get back in time to enjoy a number of workshops, showcases, and spend time schmoozing in the exhibition hall.
It was a real honor to sit on a panel that included WFMT’s Rich Warren, XM Satellite folk music host Mary Sue Twohy, radio promoter and artist manager Biff Kennedy, and moderator John Platt of WFUV. We had a lively discussion of the future of folk music radio in an era of technological advances. From iPod’s, satellites, HD radio, and the future wi-fi technology that is a few years away – folk music radio faces numerous challenges. I am of the strong opinion that we need to recognize these challenges as steps in building a community and strengthen the audience for folk music in general. It was a real eye-opening discussion and I was honored to be able to participate – and walk away with some great information that was shared by my colleagues. The question and answer portion was a real positive experience and showed the connection that we share with artists, promoters, concert presenters and fans of the music.
Saturday night featured some of the finest showcases experiences that I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing during all my years of attending NERFA. 
I have played her music, but this was the first opportunity I had to watch Ellis perform. She has one of most engaging personalities that I’ve ever witnessed on a stage. Within seconds, you fell in love with bubbling attitude for life and her captivating laugh has been echoing in my heart all week! After hearing her share a song about the joys of caffeine, I’ve made it a new life goal to sit down and have a cup of coffee with this woman! Ellis was voted “Most Wanted to Return” at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and I am sure that her music will soon be enjoyed by fans all across the country – and beyond!
NERFA featured showcase performances from two new “supergroups” – The Strangelings (featuring Pete & Maura Kennedy, Rebecca Hall & Ken Anderson, and Chris Thompson) and the Refugees (featuring Cindy Bullens, Deborah Holland, and Wendy Waldman). I’m proud to say that the Refugees will be appearing at the Hurdy Gurdy in Fair Lawn on June 7, 2008. Tickets have just gone on sale at www.hurdygurdyfolk.org . Don’t miss this one!!!!
Another upcoming Hurdy Gurdy artist also gave an outstanding showcase – Ronny Cox. I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Ronny, and the in
terview will be aired on my show in the spring. Ronny will be at the Hurdy Gurdy on Saturday April 5th and I urge you to get your tickets now! This will be the first time we have had a performer at the Hurdy Gurdy who has a new CD AND a motion picture with Eddie Murphy coming out in the same year!!
I should mention that I had another honor this year. I was the coordinator of the formal showcase committee. We listened to hundreds of CD selections during the summer months, and I am very proud of the performers we chose. The comments from the presenters in the audience was enthusiastic and I look forward to seeing many of these artists at the clubs, coffeehouses and festivals in our area this coming summer. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the committee that included Mary Armstrong, Sonny Ochs, Scott Sheldon, Dianne Tankle and her husband Robert Cohen. It was a pleasure working with them and sharing their thoughts on the music.
formal showcase along with Sonny Ochs, Rich Warren and John Platt. To be in their company is high honor and I was very proud and humbled by the opportunity.
I wandered
the halls of Kutshers, the “resort” hotel that has hosted NERFA these past few years, and heard some extraordinary talent. What impressed me was the growing number of young people making music. This year, NERFA was attended by a number of under-20 singer-songwriters who simply astounded the audience. After a performance by 16 year old Anthony DaCosta, I could not help but notice a number of people with tears in their eyes. Can you remember the last time a 16 year old made you cry? Another talent to watch is Emily Elbert – a student at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Boston also is the home for Joy Kills Sorrow, a bluegrass band that very impressive.
Annie Dinerman and
Arlon Bennett preparing
to showcase
NERFA is truly one of my favorite experiences of the year. In my duel roles as radio host and concert presenter, I find the weekend a very valuable opportunity to catch up on all the great music that is available. Sure, there are many great musicians who did not or cannot attend the event – but as with any industry, it is very important to have events like this. It is impossible to coordinate any sort of artistic movement – but it is possible to give people the opportunity to carve their own niche.
NERFA offers a wonderful chance for musicians to meet other musicians, hone their skills, and if they are doing the smart thing – they will make connections. No artist should attend NERFA without a game plan, and no artist should expect to walk away with a calendar of bookings. That really isn’t the point, and if your expections are different – then you are in the wrong place. The people who gained the most from NERFA are those who approach it as a step in the right direction. You cannot underestimate the importance of community and sharing with peers. In the midst of all this, you will make some great friends.
Canadian artists