AUSTIN FOLK ALLIANCE: KEEPIN' IT WEIRD

Observations on my very first - and I'm sure last - Folk Alliance Conference. February 2006 -- Austin Texas . . .

1. Much to my surprise, a lot of Folkies appear to be hard core drinkers who don't require much sleep.

2. I was there as a renegade and didn't have an official badge -- how any real & true folkster can afford to go to Folk Alliance is beyond me. It wasn't too hard getting in the restricted areas but people did look at me funny.

3. Jo Miller is so cool.

4. I saw & heard the Biscuit Burners for the first time and wondered where the Burn was.

5. Along with the typical fat, frumpy, and horribly dressed participants there are some young & hip folksters coming on the scene. Yes people, it's true, Folk & Fashion plus Politics & Cool can go together!

6. The Lost Bayou Ramblers had great promo - cute & shiny silver matchbooks with their logo & info - and the nicest smiles.

7. I was shocked and disappointed to find out the Mighty Mary McFaul is now representing the Very Mediocre Vicci Martinez.

8. The coffee shop at the Austin Hilton had the absolute worst coffee I've ever had.

9. PK Dwyer brought his great energy and raucous blues to the Seattle Sounds Showcase AND I spied the infamous Clovis Roblaine digging PK's tunes!

10. David Massengill is one awesome songwriter.

11. Bluegrass, Bluegrass, Bluegrass.

12. Laura Love can still belt them out like no one else.

13. Unfortunately,there's a lot of really bad folk music out there.

14. Wes Weddell's Happiness Fufilled -- a song about the Grilled Cheese Virgin Mary -- did leave me feeling Happy and Fufilled indeed.

15. Besides the PK Dwyer I did not hear any Blues. Hmmmm.

16. Sadly, a massive amount of paper was wasted on flyers and posters that no one paid any attention to.

17. Miles & Karina had neat outfits.

18. There are just as many false and schmoozy people in folk music as in any other type.

19. I wonder what Woody Guthrie would think of it all . . .