Expert: David Beckett - 8/14/2010

Question
I just moved up to Burlington. In my previous location I knew a bunch of great
people and acoustic musicians (mostly bluegrass/folk/celtic) and played in a
bluegrass band. Here I don't know a soul, and I'm going through musician's
withdrawal. Could you give me some pointers please on jump-starting an
acoustic music/bluegrass connection in the Burlington area?

Answer
Hi Deborah -

Robert Resnick does a program on VT Public Radio on Sundays, called All The Traditions. You'll want to catch it. He does a great job. You'll want to listen on the www at vpr.net. if you haven't found it on your dial yet. Every fok/traditional/bluegrass/celtic musician and group in the State seems to send him gig announcements, which he passes on. He'll have some excellent suggestions for you, and will help you know where to go and who to meet. He's also a reference librarian at The Fletcher Free Library. I'd simply stop by The Fletcher Free Library and introduce yourself. He's also a prome mover behind the Champlain Valley Folk Festival, which just happened and which you'll really enjoy next year!

That's just one of my suggestions. But it's probably the best one.

The others are to read Seven Days weekly, visit The Skinny Pancake, and Radio Bean - perhaps even Ri Ra.

There's a lot of traditional music here! Enjoy!

David Beckett