Stave Magazine: Editor's Desk

In last month’s edition, I commented on what felt like the fading of my generation of songwriters.  After attending a songwriters’ meeting, I became concerned that I wasn’t the only one in a slump.  Many great artists were right there with me.  Some (maybe more who are unwilling to admit it) clubs and house concert series are beginning to wane if not disappear altogether.  I had a conversation with my friend Stacy about my observations and concerns.  A few weeks later, she traveled to San Antonio to attend a house concert that was hosting Natalia Zukerman.  Zukerman is one of the best examples of  a young songwriter who is gently moving Americana in a new direction with her mixture of jazz, folk, country, roots and rock. 
Check her out. Here's a little footage from my series, Bear Creek Concerts (that ghosty side player she keeps looking at outside the video frame is Erika Luckett):



However, Stacy told me that the average age of the house concert guest, in San Antonio, was 50.

Younger people are not attending or presenting as much as we old warriors would like to see.  So I lamented about, “why not?”  How do we get these young music supporters to step up and carry on?  We talked about economics.  Younger people don’t have the homes or money to pull it off.  They’re not so settled as we are.  So Stacy and I discussed the possibility of us older fans backing younger efforts financially.  We continued our idea swap over a few beers at Jovita’s in South Austin.  I waved my hand around the room and said, “Look at this crowd.  The music is folk and Americana.  The purpose of this gathering is to support the liberal press, yet we’re probably the youngest people here at forty and forty five.”  Then I decided it was about networking.  Making friends.  Making people want to come to our shows (because I read that in on a discussion board somewhere).

It took a few days for the truth to sink in.  None of my earlier thoughts were valid.  My generation had been left behind.  All I had to do was read the Austin American Statesman and see all the buzz about SXSW Interactive and how that was just about to surpass the famed music part of the festival.  There it was.  The next generation was already presenting via technology.  

A great, big “duh.”

iTunes
Pandora
YouTube
iLike
The Music Genome Project
Anything Derrick Sivers lays his hands on
Music placement in television and film
A million other concepts, products and events I have yet to discover because I’m so damned old school.

Does that mean the intimate experience is gone?  No.  It just has competition.  How does it get real again?  Or does it?  Am I too set in my ways to embrace technology that can keep me at the cutting edge of musical discovery?  And if I do catch up, will anyone under the age of 40 even listen to what I have to say or consider what I have to offer?

I can only try, so in a feeble attempt to catch up, I’m dotting the April issue with videos (don't forget to turn off the Stave Player before you watch, but remember to turn it back on and listen to the music there, too).

What I need from you are links to music technology; whether it be cool new sites, or apps for my iPhone, or video you think I should post.  That might mean that the April issue of Stave will change daily or capriciously as I post new and information.  Think of it as a crash course on contemporary music presentation for old folkies like me.  The comment section is ready and waiting for your suggestions, so share away.