Thriving mandolin/acoustic music scenes

[Joe Hinkebein]

All,
I do not recall seeing a similar thread to this, and I hope it is not out of place in general mandolin discussions. Anyway, here it is.

If you were advising a young talented acoustic musician who was itching to move someplace that had a thriving, vibrant, eclectic and welcoming acoustic music scene and community, where would it be?

I am asking on behalf of a very talented young mandolinist/vocalist I know who is frustrated by the lack of a healthy music scene where he lives. He aspires to eventually be a professional musician.

More generally, it would be great to learn what communities are really mandolin/acoustic music friendly.

Thanks,
Joe

[Baron Collins-Hill]

I would say go check out boston. With Berklee School of Music and the New England Conservatory, (both of which have thriving bluegrass/mandolin/jazz/acoustic/everything departments.

Baron

[MassMando]

Boston. Every fourth person you pass on the street seems to be either a current or former national fiddle champion. In all seriousness though, the acoustic / bluegrass / new grass / celtic scene here is the best in the country right now. And there's also a wealth of good rock and roll, jazz and classical to be seen and heard.

It's a really, really good time to live in the Boston area if you play music. I feel like something big is brewing.....like this town is to acoustic music right now as NYC was to jazz in the 40s and 50s.

-steve

[bigbike]

Depends on genre of music. If they are looking for "folkish" stuff either Boston ,Atlanta, Seattle, if they are looking for country and bluegrass, Nashville, and the counties surrounding it., if you want rock or what is left of it, I still think it is better in the Seattle area than anywhere else.

Yeah Nashville has a Ton of fantastic mandolin and other acoustic instrument players and about 10 gazillion guitarists of every make and model. But there is room for one more if it ain't a guitar picker.

[Laird]

That would be Portland, Oregon (my hometown, where I haven't lived in many years, but it's HOPPIN'), followed by Asheville, NC.

[JeffD]

Boston and Nashville I would think.

[jim simpson]

How about Austin?

[Coffeecup]

Maleny, Queensland.

[grassrootphilosopher]

I don´t think that the "thriving music scene" alone does it. You have to make connections, you have to "fit in", you have to be able to introduce yourself. All these factors are imperative in order to play music with others.

Also the question ought to be - to my mind - what´s my focus on. Is it rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk etc? If you´re into celtic music go to the roots and go to the british isles... If your goal is to learn music, go to university (Berklee, ETSTU etc.).

If you want to become a music professional get business education (because music alone does not pay the rent, it´s making money playing music that does. There is a business angle, you know).

If you are young enough go ahead and play anywhere you can with anyone (you like). That´ll get you started in the first place.

[JGWoods]

I've been int he Boston area since '68 and the last 2 years or so, with Berklee having a concentration in American roots music, the Bluegrass and Old Time talent around here have taken a great leap forward- us old guys get to enjoy some amazing talent coming along.

I used to worry that the teens and 20s of today would be lost to Guitar Hero and Karaoke, now I see that isn't so. While some of the pretenders may take up real musical pursuits later most are just gamers looking for some fun, not really interested in music.

[Jon Hall]

Austin TX

[Alex Orr]

I've heard good things about Asheville, NC (which I should also state is just an awesome place in general). I've been told you can't throw a stone in Charlottesville, Va. these days without hitting someone who plays bluegrass :mandosmiley:

[WVPicker]

How about Marlinton, WV? Just kidding. Great old time players are all around there. I saw you are teaching at Allegheny Echoes again this year. I'll be there again taking your class. Hopefully I won't miss any classes this year due to late night picking activities. I'm looking forward to it.

Shane:mandosmiley:

[Tbone]

Boulder CO, and the corresponding front range area (denver, Co springs, lyons, nederland) but don't tell anyone. There's already a bunch of mando players here better than me.

[Scott Holt]

I will throw in a shout out for Eugene, Oregon. Almost everyone I know plays music of some sort, and in general it is all well accepted. I feel that the music scene is very eclectic, and acoustic music in particular, well accepted. I live here, so I guess I am biased...

[Pete Hicks]

Santa Cruz, California ( actually the whole SF bay area as well.)

[Mattg]

Boulder CO, and the corresponding front range area (denver, Co springs, lyons, nederland) but don't tell anyone. There's already a bunch of mando players here better than me.

Tbone beat me to it. I'm personally involved in bluegrass and it's pretty active in the northern colorado area. Lot's of cool music in Denver. The Swallow Hill Music Association is very active. It's all kinds of acoustic music.

We also seem to have a relatively decent supply of "day jobs", especially in high tech.

[Poener]

Anywhere except where I'm at in NEPA.

[MoBob]

Your house.;)

[JoeD]

Boulder CO, and the corresponding front range area (denver, Co springs, lyons, nederland) but don't tell anyone. There's already a bunch of mando players here better than me.

I wondered when someone would get around to Boulder. I went to CU for grad school back before I fell hard for guitars and mandolins. I wish I were back there today.

[Marcus CA]

Santa Cruz, California ( actually the whole SF bay area as well.)

Berkeley, in particular, now that the new Freight and Salvage has doubled its concert seating and added an extensive course and workshop program in the upstairs classroom area.

[Mike Snyder]

Mountain View, Arkansas. Grandma and Grandpa pick. Ma and Pa pick. All the brothers and sisters pick. And the neighbors, mailman, doctor, grocer and the cops. Pickin' on the square EVERY night , weather permitting. House jams by invitation (mostly restricted to locals) cold-weather months.
Ozark Folk Center provides performances, seminars, festivals and some employment opportunity.
If I'd found the right job, that's where I'd be a livin'. In the roughest, most mountanous part of the Ozarks. Fishing in Greers Ferry lake. Trout in the rivers, bats in the caves. Day trips to Little Rock for shopping and a reminder of how bad big cities suck. Perfect, IF you don't have to try to make a living.

[tcapps]

Agree with you Mike on Mountain View, AR and I would add that their school system promotes the old time music with a program for young people. In turn the Folk Center and locals promote the music program for the school. We end up spending a couple of months a year there, and can't get enough of it. Upcoming Bluegrass Festival (March)is one of the best around. Just add that they are into pre 1941 music (before electric guitar)

[farmerjones]

If i were a Nashville scout, looking for new talent i'd go no farther than ETSU.
I dearly love Mountain View, but nobody's making money, but a few working up at Silver Dollar City and Branson. I hope to die sitting on a folding a chair, on the square in Mtn. View.

I wish i knew more about Austin. All i know is Johnny Gimble still plays at Guero's almost weekly. If that ain't pawfull, i don't know what is. :)

[Joe Hinkebein]

Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. It is interesting how things can change over time. Here in Columbia Missouri where the University of Missouri is, there have been very active acoustic scenes in the past. There was the Hell Band back in the 1970's, which was one of the many bands that Mike Henderson (now of the Steeldrivers) was in. Many fine traditional musicians got there start here in mid-Missouri. There was a lot of old time music, a lot of bluegrass, a tremendous midwestern fiddle community, just a lot of traditional music generally. People move away, settle in, tastes change etc. There is still plenty here to keep me interested, particularly the midwestern fiddle tradition that is holding its own. We seem to lack a traditional music venue that can serve as a hub and catalyst. Who knows, maybe it will re-ignite unexpectedly. I am happily settled here, but when I hear about the scenes in Boston, Asheville, Austin, Colorado etc...it does tweak my wanderlust. Thanks again. Joe

[pigpen]

Another Mtn View fan here. Lived there one summer and had a great time!

I now live in the Burlington, Vermont area. There are some amazing players around here, and a pretty darn thriving bluegrass scene. Alot of jam bands, but much less bleed-over than I expected. More indie-type music is popular as well. Just another place to consider.

[opendor]

Within Boston, I have been to the Cantab Lounge (http://www.cantab-lounge.com/index.html)(technically in Cambridge) which has Blugrass on Tuesdays (http://www.geoffbartley.com/public_html/misc/cantab_tuesday.html); upstairs is either a group or soloist infront of an audiance, downstairs is an open jam session.

[catmandu2]

Boulder CO, and the corresponding front range..



The front range, although congested well beyond my comfort, is a boon to musicians as it has easy access to all the resort towns which host festivals in summer, and hire bands during ski season. Kind of a musician's mecca--especially for those playing "reggae" and bluegrass. It's no wonder everyone wants to be there and you can't throw a stone without hitting a musician with an advanced college degree.

[Pen]

+1 to the comment about finding a way to integrate yourself into the "scene". I happen to be in the Denver area - but have been hard pressed to find like minded players. I will say most of it is my own fault. :) I have 2 kids under 3 which soaks much of my time. I play in a rock cover band as well. Not really my passion - but the guys are some of my closest friends and the money's nice. There is little additional time to add new hobbies & ppl in my life.

It does feel weird to be surrounded by so many like me - and know none of them. Like the poor man floating on the ocean "Water water everywhere, and not a drop to drink".

[bbrizzy89]

Don't come to NYC or Long island lol. Just sayin. :)

[Jim]

Boncarbo CO. Jams Tuesday,wednesday and thursday, OK I'm the only one there but how else to get a music scene thriving.

[Capt. E]

Austin, Texas

Check out the following:
Central Texas Bluegrass Association: http://www.centraltexasbluegrass.org/
Austin Friends of Traditional Music: http://aftm.us/
Fiddlers Green Music Shop: http://www.fiddlersgreenmusicshop.com/ check out the sessions and events they list every month

Plus it is the home of Paul Glass, Tom Pittman (Austin Lounge Lizards), Tom Ellis, Collings Guitars, etc. There is even a thriving Cajun music community.

Come down this weekend etc for SXSW...

This is just the start...

[allenhopkins]

Here in Columbia Missouri where the University of Missouri is, there have been very active acoustic scenes in the past....There is still plenty here to keep me interested, particularly the midwestern fiddle tradition that is holding its own. We seem to lack a traditional music venue that can serve as a hub and catalyst...I am happily settled here, but when I hear about the scenes in Boston, Asheville, Austin, Colorado etc...it does tweak my wanderlust.

I know it's hardly "next door," but two of the finest traditional musicians I've heard, Jim & Kim Lansford, work out of Galena, south of you in the Ozarks. Might be worth contacting them to see what they know about music in the region. Here's (http://www.kimandjim.com/contact.htm) the contact page from their website.

[Paul Kotapish]

Northern California and the greater San Francisco Bay Area has a thriving acoustic music scene embracing all sort of idioms--traditional and contemporary--and lots of great, creative music is being made here. There are plenty of first-rate mandolinists in the area--David Grisman, Mike Marshall, Tom Rozum, and Dana Rath leap to mind--and this area was the cauldron of the "new acoustic music" scene. And there are loads of other well-developed microcosms here as well--old-time, bluegrass, Balkan, middle-eastern, Italian, Latin, singer-songwriter, etc. But the competition for good venues and performance opportunities is pretty fierce, and it would be tough to make a living playing music here without spending a lot of time on the road.