10/26/2012
Hello friends,
The past two years here at Troubadors have been amazing. Local and regional folks have given us some truly inspiring evenings of music. We’ve made friends with good folks from across the country and a few from overseas. The song circles have meant a great deal to all of us, bringing several good writers back in touch with their passion for songwriting.
A group of committed volunteers put together and hosted our first annual songwriters festival. The results truly exceeded our expectations. Lots of fine songs were entered into the contests. Several pros from Nashville and our region participated as judges or presenters. They were surprised and impressed at the amount of high quality songs they heard. Several writers ended up with contracts, great contacts, and new friends.
This all would have never happened without the support and hard work of many of you. Your efforts have made a difference in many lives. Thank you.
I’ve been blessed by many new friends, getting in touch again with old friends, and simply being present for some magical musical moments. Once again I learned the lesson that 99% of the great music in the world happens at small venues, garages, front porches, street corners and other everyday places. Folks sharing their hopes, dreams and laments through their own words and melodies. There has been a lot of laughing and dancing, a little tears and tussles, and the forming of a wonderful community of creative people encouraging and supporting one another.
The vision and hard work of Bill and Kathy Darnell, with the help of some great shopkeepers, have resurrected Persimmon Hollow from an abandoned, overgrown derelict to a beautiful and peaceful piece of old Oklahoma country life right in the middle of town. The unique character of this setting has been a big part of Troubadors special place in many of your hearts. Thanks for our time here!
Unfortunately, due to the increased costs associated with the shop, I will no longer be able to sustain it through the slow winter and summer months. Therefore I am closing Troubadors at the end of October. The Alliance will continue with the goal of another great songwriters festival in 2013, as well as some exciting quarterly opportunities. Keep an eye on the website for future announcements.
I will be pursuing some new opportunities for us in downtown Broken Arrow. The economic development committee and the chamber see music as an important part of the revitalization of Main Street in Broken Arrow. I plan on working with the Troubadors Alliance Festival Committee, the Arts and Humanities Councils of Tulsa and Broken Arrow, the Oklahoma Arts Council and the good folks associated with downtown Broken Arrow to move our festival there. I’m also looking forward to busking on Main Street! Performing on the street is a great way to connect folks to your music.
Once again, thanks for your support and friendship. Keep on writing!
Bryan
