2022 Press Release
6th Annual “National Gathering of SongFarmers” Set For
April 29-30 At Kentucky Music Hall Of Fame at Renfro Valley
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Plus, WoodSongs Old Time Radio Hour to receive Kentucky Music Hall of Fame dedication with special history exhibit
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Folksinger Michael Johnathon and the WoodSongs Front Porch Association (WFPA) is excited to announce the schedule for the 6th annual National Gathering of SongFarmers scheduled for Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 at the historic Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum estate in Renfro Valley, Ky.
Members of the WFPA are called “SongFarmers.”
“A SongFarmer is any artist, musician, songwriter and fan who wants to use their passion and music to make their homes, families and communities better,” says founder Michael Johnathon. “The changes in the world of music have left many skilled, talented players behind in the digital dust. We believe they still matter, they still have purpose and they still are valid.”
The community of SongFarmers has grown, even inspite of the pandemic. Now with 84 active chapters from Australia, across the USA and Ireland.
Hosted this year by the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame at Renfro Valley, SongFarmers from across the country will gather for music, workshops, song circles, bluegrass jams and films.
A highlight of the weekend willth be the public dedication of the newhistoric “History of WoodSongs” exhibit Saturday at 1PM. It will include and address and performance by folksinger Michael Johnathon. The event of free and open to the public, who are invited to stay for the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the full SongFarmes event including the evening picnic and free concert.
FREE and open to the public concerts are scheduled for both Friday and Saturday nights at the amphitheater and will feature live music performances given by the WFPA members from around the world. The event’s workshops are reserved for WFPA members, but anyone may join WFPA for only $25 annually, which includes two complimentary tickets to the annual SongFarmers gathering event. WFPA members planning to attend are asked to pre-register at songfarmers.org/2022gathering.
“Never before in the last 100 years have the gentle spirit of America’s front porch been so needed,” says Vermont folksinger Rik Palieri. “And that’s what SongFarmers do, they are building a musical front porch around the world.”[insert quote from MJ?]
It is recommended that you bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket. Information and details can be found on their website, SongFarmers.org
2022 National Gathering of SongFarmers
Kentucky Music Hall of Fame
2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, KY 40456
SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE)
** Denotes FREE & pen to the public
Friday, April 29
2:00-5:00pm: Welcome & check-in
4:00-4:45pm: Shape Note Singing with RON PEN
5:00-5:45pm: Welcome to the Group and Town Hall with KARI ESTRIN
6:00-8:30pm: **Free Concert in the Amphitheater with MC BILL HUDSON
Saturday, April 30
8:30am: Creative Board breakfast
9:00-10:00am: Coffee and donuts
10:00am: Why Start a Chapter
10:00am: Banjo Swap
11:00am: How to Start a SongFarmers Chapter with BRYAN KLAUSING
11:00am: Mandolin 101
12:00pm: Lunch break
1:00pm: **WoodSongs Hall of Fame Dedication
2:00pm: *“What Does it mean to Build a Front Porch Around the World” with Michael Johnathon
3:00pm: **The Songs of SongFarmers with PERRY BRAKE
3:00pm: **Guitar Workshop with BRYCE TAYLOR & CHRIS DESA
4:00pm: **Press, Media & Publicity with KARI AND LINDA
4:00pm: **How to Zoom with DAN SENIE
5:00pm: Dinner Break
5:30-8:30pm **Free Concert in the Amphitheater with MC BILL HUDSON
About WoodSongs Front Porch Association:
WoodSongs Front Porch Association is an international network of “front porch” minded musicians, songwriters and fans who simply love simple, rural music. This organization is about EVERYBODY who loves to pick, play and sing. If you feel the music business left you behind, join us. We will show you how to make music a powerful part of your life, even if it is not your livelihood. WFPA’s mission is to help music lovers find a new, defined direction for their music. To gather the global community of front porch minded musicians and help them do good work, bring roots music education into schools free of charge, and enhance communities by redirecting the tremendous energies of local musicians. We call our members “SongFarmers.”