I dropped an email to Gary Smith, the big kahuna at Fort Apache, asking about plans for a rumored festival up in his new home of Bellows Falls, Vermont later this year. Here's what he had to say. (my comments are in parens, and this is quoted with permission, o'course) ...
Thanks for the note and the plug on the site. We're swamped - with a smaller staff and a seemingly endless amount of work. This is, of course, amazing and a heck of a lot better than sitting around waiting for something to happen. That has never been my strong suit.
Big piece in the NY Times today about Natalie (Merchant) which drew a million calls from people inspired that Natalie is willing to take a chance and do something different. (She parted ways with Elektra records and is releasing a collection of traditional music and semi-contemporary folk with the help of the Fort). Mostly demoralized music industry veterans who spend their days wailing and gnashing their teeth about the state of the things.
As for (the rumored festival with) Kristin (Hersh) and Tanya (Donelly), working on that. Trying to get Tanya on schedule for a September release so this thing in Bellows Falls makes more sense. In any event we're working on a beautiful if slightly pricey summer event in the foothills of the Green Mountains. Three days and at least that many shows. One in a big old festival grounds, one on a train, one in a 18th Century meeting house, one in a rock club.
More about this later.
Stay in touch.
Gary Smith
That festival sounds like it could be the bees knees... can't wait to hear more about it. For more info on what the folks at Fort Apache are up to nowadays, check out the recent news post on their website.
