September 2007

 

by Dave Blackledge

 

 Migration of the Pennsylvania Speckled Singer Songwriter  

—A Study in Veracity

 

   I’m very pleased to report that herds of singer/songwriters are still living in Pennsylvania.  They’ve been spotted throughout the state and I recently observed a group just outside the town of Lewisburg in central PA. They had converged in a field called Brookpark Farm.  I must also warn you that I found evidence that some of the study group will migrate to other states where the food is more plentiful and the climate more suited to this particular creature. Similar studies show the younger singer/ songwriters are more likely to leave the herd for parts in the U.S. located in Southeastern New York, Central Tennessee, or Southern California, so I watched for signs that this could be happening to this group.

   For my study of the Brookpark Farm group I named the subject creatures of the Pennsylvania strain Joel Dobbins, Hannah Bingman, Mycenea Worley, Jesse Ruben, Breton McNamara and Alicia Keister. This group had joined with a similar group from New Jersey, Virginia and New York for what appeared to be some sort of festival as evidenced by their beautiful melodic call followed by thunderous sound of what sounded like human hands clapping that could be heard throughout the valley.

   Pennsylvania residents should realize the urgency to develop sanctuaries for these singer songwriters. Feeding areas so to speak. There are a few places now in Pennsylvania, mostly in the cities, some good grazing areas in Williamsport, but much of the state does not boast habitable conditions for the singer/songwriter, particularly in areas where the mindless drivel pop fan, the rednecked freebird and the cover-crazy club owner reside.

   Should these Pennsylvania singer/songwriters migrate to NY, Tennessee or California, or even many areas of Texas they risk developing James Blunt Disease or the even worse Britney Spears Syndrome. Also it should be a concern of all that this will not just be a seasonal migration but could end up a forced mass migration. If this happens, you’ll be going around all day singing “whatcha gonna do with all that junk, all that junk inside your trunk” to yourself.  Imagine the horror.

   Anyway, I assume (or hope) you know that all this was about the PA Singer/Songwriter Festival and the plight of indie songwriters. The festival was great music-wise and disappointing, crowd wise.  The people who did drag themselves away from the TV were treated to a fine day of music and beautiful weather. This was my last year for the festival (honestly), but I hope it continues, and continues as it is, but with bigger crowds. I thank all the performers for the great show and the sponsors for helping it be possible to put on.  It was great hanging around with my old friends from festivals past and meeting new songwriters. I’m proud to call them all my friends as they are a special breed. I’m not proud of some of the people behind the scenes in most of the music industry from small festivals like this all the way up to the big labels. I certainly made a lot of mistakes over the years trying to learn how to put on a singer/songwriter festival, but my number one priority was helping the singer/ songwriter.  I hope I accomplished some things in that regard and leave you this advice...my songwriter friends...watch out for the bloodsuckers in life.

   So, now that all  is in my past, I’m going to get this album done that I’ve been working on, promote it the best I can, and just have fun.  Please don’t let indie singer/songwriters go the route of Mom and Pop Grocery stores, neighborhood gas stations and (whether they want to admit it or not) neighborhood taverns. Yes, they are on their way out too.  So maybe putting in some good singer/ songwriters in your bar and quit serving people alcohol until they fall off their stool is the right move. See ya around the salt mines.