By Arthur Robinson

WHERE HAVE ALL THE SUPPORTERS GONE?

What is it that Bluegrass fans have in their souls that prevents them from supporting Bluegrass events locally? The organisation of an event is hard enough to administer without the disappointment of only a handful of patrons turning up to see their supposed favourite music. With this lack of support it’s no wonder other venues are not springing up. The many clubs that advertise in the BBMA and NWBN, and which are available to Bluegrass fans, would love to have full houses on club nights and on special promotions, but it is rarely the case.

Most club organisers, be it an individual or committee, invariably have to run a raffle or sponsor the event themselves - even underwriting a possible loss out of their own pockets. They won’t advertise the fact, as it is the music that they support and if it were not for these people putting on a regular show then many venues would fold.

It is not only club organisers that assist the growth of the music; many bands and performers will give their services free, or for a few beers or expenses.

If there is a Club, Session or regular
Bluegrass or Bluegrass-related night near
to you then support it at least once a month.

I choose to live in what is virtually a Bluegrass outpost where Rock & Roll, Rhinestone Cowboys and Crystal Chandeliers rule without any danger of listening to any Acoustic Music, let alone Bluegrass. Twice I have played music venues in Scarborough but the comment was “They don’t like hillbilly music!” Everything has to be noisy.

When nothing less than 4 x 160 watt combo’s are the norm there is little chance of putting on a good acoustic Bluegrass band. I offered to put on a show at my local club, which puts on a monthly “turn” and wanted some variety. I offered them the Czech band Monogram, which is on tour in May. And seeing the band will be staying with me it seemed a good opportunity to cut out excessive travelling!

After hearing the Monogram CD the “committee” decided that £150 was too much to pay for a four piece band singing songs they didn’t know! Yet they have recently paid £100 for one Fat Bird to sing to a Karaoke machine and in the whole night only sang 11 songs!

Well I tried, but in some areas you and I have a job to get in the entertainment door, and I’ve even offered to cover any loss!

I find myself regularly travelling to Leeds (150 mile round trip) and Saltburn (100 mile round trip) to support and promote Bluegrass music. I do a regular Bluegrass spot with Mick Martin at the Saltburn Folk and Blues Club and it is always well received. Many of the regulars at this Tuesday night event will be supporting the forthcoming Monogram tour.

I, along with many travelled to London to the Barbican to support the Bluegrass event being staged there. I prefer to spend my £15 on a top Bluegrass concert rather than £20 for some top rated blue comedian to abuse the audience verbally. But that’s what happens to packed audiences all summer in Scarborough.

It’s all about choice of course and any event is only as successful as the support it receives, so remember this the next time a Bluegrass event or regular club night is on around your area. As the late, great Jan Jerrold would have said, “Support it and don’t stop the music!”

Arthur Robinson, Scarborough, North Yorkshire

Updated 23rd Jan 1999