Hardly Strictly Bluegrass - No End in Sight to this Fest!!!
Full Name:
Painted Mandolin
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http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Dawn-Holliday-Hardly-Strictl...
"There’s no end to the festival in sight — none,” Holliday said. “They’re going to find a wonderful talent buyer. The people I’m recommending to them have so much spirit and knowledge that it would easily bury me.”
Hellman’s son Mick Hellman, the founder of a private investment firm and board member on the Hellman Foundation, confirmed that Hardly Strictly would continue for the foreseeable future.
“As a family, we’re committed to doing this as long as we can do it,” Mick Hellman said. “The money is still there, but it’s not as simple as having money. You also need a team that’s willing to dig in and make it work.”
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Painted Mandolin
I have not been all that
I have not been all that impressed over the past few years with the bookings here so I'm happy it will continue with a new curator!
Maybe Phil will play GG Park?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Hitchhiker awaiting "true call"
Great festival. Always too
Great festival.
Seun Kuti was the highlight last year.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: ParadiseWaits
I agree with Trebs about the
I agree with Trebs about the last several lineups. Granted, it's a free festival, but that area needs some improvement.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lance minimum goad Newberry
Careful what you ask for.
Careful what you ask for.
Holliday was the one who created & is responsible for that one-of-a-kind festival. Hellman paid for it which is great and is what gets meadows named after you, but more importantly he let Holliday run with it; the festival as we know is all her vision. If it wasn't for her no one would have any issues with the festival bookings because there wouldn't have been a festival, at least not the one everybody loves so much.
That being said, she has been around the Bay Area concert scene for a really long time. She was with Bill Graham Presents for years before she ran Slim's & GAMH, and she has been running Hardly Strictly for over 15 years so it makes sense that she was losing interest and would want to move on.
Personally I'm sorry to see her go. Hopefully the next booker won't think the likes of Justin Timberlake and Skrillex is considered "carrying it forward".
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fuggles
I hear ya Tom. I've already
I hear ya Tom. I've already seen one development last year that doesn't sit well. In 2016 there was a free silk screen booth. In 2017 there was a new merchandising company selected. Apparently they didn't want free silkscreens being passed out. Moonalice did hand out free posters, though at stage, not at merchandise booth as in years past. Also there was only 1 poster for sale, past years had as many as 3+.
The change fron strictly bluegrass to hardly strictly has produced some head scratchers i.e. the recently introduced silent disco, but overall no complaints on the talent. Some years have been better than others. The Dolly Parton set is still one of my favirites.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Painted Mandolin
This gripe is not important
This gripe is not important to the general public, but as a long-standing member of the very active Bay Area Bluegrass Community, I know first hand that there has been a lot of grumbling about how little local talent get's invited to perform at this fest. Sure the Dawg, Peter Rowan and , Laurie Lewis have performed in multiple years but there are literally dozens of local bluegrass, roots and Americana bands that get no chance....
I can assert that I feel a teeny-weeny bit privileged as I got to play HSBF's #2 & #7 with Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys, back in the day - but those days are long gone....