[Dixielandjazz] Dying off. and other negatives:

[Steve Barbone]

Chris Tyle wrote in part:

> Although this is switching to another subject, the other point I'd like to
> address is the supposed "dying off" of the audience. First, I think that
> is a totally negative statement, and it's also insulting to those who
> might be in the over 65 demographic that are consistently being referred
> to. Yes, there are some festivals that have tanked. But I believe there
> are more factors involved with the loss of audience than just the
> cheap-shot answer of the audience dying out, and I've played quite a few
> of those festivals that have gone under.

Not a negative statement Chris, just the plain unvarnished truth. I am one
of those who makes the dying off statement. And since I am almost a decade
older than 65, I am talking about my own generation. Would it be better to
lie? Those my age are likely aware of their mortality.

> Recently we all read about
> Sisters, Oregon giving up the ghost, with the festival director
> attributing it to loss of the over 65 age group. Yet in the same article
> he mentioned that when the festival brought in more modern "smooth" jazz
> groups, attendance didn't appreciably increase. Geographically speaking,
> Sisters is located in an inconvenient part of Oregon to travel to. It's a
> long drive from any major metro area with an airport. There's the obvious
> transportation difficulties involved, flying to Portland or Eugene,
> renting a car, etc. Also by looking at the band line-up, the festival did
> hire popular bands, but if someone heard that particular band a week or
> two previous at another festival, it's doubtful they would take the
> trouble to hear them again so soon.

Good point. If the same bands play all the festivals, which inhibits fan
attendance, then there are either too many festivals, or too few fans. Lots
of problems with Sisters, including the folk music festival (highly
successful) that took place there the preceding week. I think the jazz
festival managers of Sisters have a better handle on why the audience
declined after so many successful years then we do.

> I've encountered a lot of jazz fans who relate they have cut down on
> festival attendance only because of financial reasons. It can be
> expensive: badges, hotel, transportation, meals. There are some retired
> people who can afford that, but then there are others who can't. Ditto for
> younger people, too. And then there's the problems inherent with air
> travel these days. Personally I get really tired of having my carry-on
> searched by some dopey TSA agent that thinks a bass drum pedal is part of
> nuclear device ;-) (But those stories are for a different time.)

Also a good point and no doubt it inhibits some fan attendance.
 
> Unfortunately many festivals have small budgets for advertising, hence
> locals often aren't aware of what's going on. I can't speak about the
> inside workings of festival organizations, but maybe there needs to be
> more year-long activities to help support the local audience base, things
> like free concerts (paid for the musicians, please), concerts in schools,
> etc.

Amen. And fairly large metro area should draw enough local fans to support
the event. Many ways to do that besides spending ad money. Sponsorships from
local companies etc.
 
> There's also this attitude among some DJML contributors that "to get the
> younger audience we need to play more music they know." I totally
> disagree. I've played for high school groups with totally dyed-in-the-wool
> trad groups playing music of the 1920s and 30s, and the kids loved it - in
> EVERY case. But here again, to grab that audience segment, festivals need
> to work to bring that music to them. I think the best way to do that would
> be working hand-in-hand with local music programs.

Not the music "they know", but music they can relate to. And a performance
they can relate to. Big difference, about which I have posted in the past
and written a band marketing article about. Our band does about 20 school
concerts/workshops a year from Elementary through University and as you say,
the young people love it. All Dixieland Programs. Plus they then come to our
other local performances thus increasing our audiences. Good point about
festivals working with local music programs. (and local schools) I think we
are seeing an increase there, some possibly because of discussions on the
DJML and in The American Rag and with Festival movers and shakers.
 
> To conclude, I like to see more positive commentary on the DJML; keep your
> negativity to yourself. Many of us are very tired of it. Let's be more
> proactive to keep our music alive.

If truth is somehow a negative, we might consider that freedom of speech is
freedom of speech and we should be intelligent enough to deal with it. In
the past there was a lot of positive comment on the DJML about how to get
kids, schools, jazz oblivious people of all ages, etc., (meaning more
audience) involved. Many examples given. Unfortunately some of the folks who
resist that kind of information called it bragging and so those who were
pointing out what could be done, by example, quit doing it. These were truly
the proactive players and band leaders.

The biggest negative that I see is when someone tries to be a list policemen
because he/she doesn't agree. And then tries to inhibit messages under the
guise of speaking for "many". Speak out, that's what a chat list is for. And
speak for yourself because there are 500 + people, (most of whom we do not
know) on this one. 

Toward that end, you might tell us your thoughts and experiences on how to
be more proactive.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone