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Ron,
You have said it all! Very well said indeed. Those of us who make a living teaching and performing, maybe doing some repair work for other banjoists, are finding it harder and harder to find students who want to learn this instrument and harder and harder to find paying gigs and repair projects that make it worth our while to continue on. In my own banjo business, I am scrapping by. I have found it almost impossible to afford to go to most conventions without a sponsor to help me. There are people out there who have helped on occasion and friends whom have helped me too. I really appreciate them. Without that help, my business would be considered a failure in any other profession. Yet I continue on because I love what I do. I love the people I come in contact with too. I love teaching and performing and also repairing banjos. So if you are reading this, we banjo pros would love to come to your convention, we need help getting there. Maybe you can find a local sponsor who would be willing to help. Maybe a local business that will take on the financial issues we have getting there. I have no issues with even advertising for that business from the stage or even doing a private concert for that business or private sponsor while I am at their convention. Think about that!
Ron,
Very well stated, especially from an accomplished player (you played beautifully in Dearborn). I, too, have seen the overall diminishment of the wonderful instrument as a convention organizer (32 years-Springfield). I often thought a Media blitz of national proportions would help “stop the bleeding”. Not being a PR guy,a pro like Johnny Baier could be enlisted to Ballyhoo the banjo. Perhaps divert some funds from FIGA, or twist some wealthy arms to underwrite this venture. Just some thoughts from an old devotee
Doc Cain
Ron,
You have said it all! Very well said indeed. Those of us who make a living teaching and performing, maybe doing some repair work for other banjoists, are finding it harder and harder to find students who want to learn this instrument and harder and harder to find paying gigs and repair projects that make it worth our while to continue on. In my own banjo business, I am scrapping by. I have found it almost impossible to afford to go to most conventions without a sponsor to help me. There are people out there who have helped on occasion and friends whom have helped me too. I really appreciate them. Without that help, my business would be considered a failure in any other profession. Yet I continue on because I love what I do. I love the people I come in contact with too. I love teaching and performing and also repairing banjos. So if you are reading this, we banjo pros would love to come to your convention, we need help getting there. Maybe you can find a local sponsor who would be willing to help. Maybe a local business that will take on the financial issues we have getting there. I have no issues with even advertising for that business from the stage or even doing a private concert for that business or private sponsor while I am at their convention. Think about that!
Ron,
Very well stated, especially from an accomplished player (you played beautifully in Dearborn). I, too, have seen the overall diminishment of the wonderful instrument as a convention organizer (32 years-Springfield). I often thought a Media blitz of national proportions would help “stop the bleeding”. Not being a PR guy,a pro like Johnny Baier could be enlisted to Ballyhoo the banjo. Perhaps divert some funds from FIGA, or twist some wealthy arms to underwrite this venture. Just some thoughts from an old devotee
Doc Cain