Ponderosa Stomp moving to fall

[Baconwrapped]

really changes Fest week:

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Ponderosa Stomp Announces a Change of Seasons
Fall Fund Drive In Progress, Killer New Film Available

“It’s not just about music, it’s about life itself, you know what I mean? The Stomp’s for real, man.” Lil’ Buck Sinegal

After 8 years of incredible, critically acclaimed shows during April/May, the Ponderosa Stomp Foundation announces a change of seasons! As a non-profit organization celebrating American roots music, the Stomp has had unprecedented growth in recent years; in addition to the concerts in New Orleans, Austin and New York, their small staff has launched a packed music conference, a developing archive of oral histories, monthly ‘After Hours’ shows at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and ‘Unsung Heroes’, an exhibition celebrating Louisiana’s role in the development of rock n’ roll, on display at the Louisiana State Museum’s Cabildo in the French Quarter.

We are also thrilled to announce the recent release of the Ponderosa Stomp short film. The Ponderosa Stomp was founded to showcase and honor the world’s most authentic performers of rockabilly, R&B, jazz, blues, garage, soul, funk, and swamp pop. The film focuses on Classie Ballou, Lil’ Buck Sinegal and Roy Head, integral Stomp performers. These three exemplary artists enjoyed early success, but found themselves toiling in obscurity later in life. When music fan Brian Gourley attended the Stomp, he was transfixed by the music and amazed that such a small group was able to bring so much music and cultural information to the fore on a shoestring. After offering to executive produce a film, he began fund-raising and working with acclaimed director Jeff Nichols (Shotgun Stories won the Grand Jury Prize at the Austin Film Festival) and the Butler Bros production team. Gourley explains, “The film presented itself at the right time; it let me pour my love of music into a project that I thought would help give props to its roots. Without roots, there are no trees.”

After seeing this moving film, it is easy to see the importance of the Stomp’s mission and the impact of its work. Continuing to recognize influential artists like Ballou, Sinegal and Head and hundreds of others and documenting their stories is a fundamental part of the Foundation’s mission. Plans to expand an oral history archive are moving forward and the “Secret History of Rock n’ Roll” is currently on exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum.

As this year has proven, we are an organization who never likes to be idle. As such, yet another exciting change for the coming year - we will hold the 9th Annual Stomp concert on a weekend in the Fall for 2010. Citing the gorgeous autumn weather, moving all events to a weekend instead of mid-week for locals who aren’t vacationing and cost economies for out of town fans, Stomp staffers, led by Ira Padnos, will be able to take the Stomp to its full potential. Look for more news on an exact date and locale shortly!

The Stomp is launching a fall fundraising drive to build upon these recent successes and to continue to expand their unique and vital work. Cultural preservation efforts require the technical skill, time and expertise of their small, committed staff to be successful. Even a lean machine like the Stomp needs additional resources to continue to turn the mission into action. “We are on a crusade to convert the masses of music fans and vinyl junkies to the gospel of the Ponderosa Stomp. We hope a visit to www.ponderosastomp.org will create a disturbance in your mind and that you will get up off your thing and get involved with the Stomp,” explained Padnos.

To Donate: https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/MakeDonation.aspx?ORGID2=203846140&PcaItemId=18015

Watch the Stomp Film: www.PonderosaStomp.org

[swag]

really changes Fest week:



It sure does. But on the plus side, it's always hard to fit the Stomp in, with so much else going on. Maybe with a weekend to themselves, my chances of attending could increase.

(Where did you see this announcement, BTW? It's not on their website yet)

[Baconwrapped]

It sure does. But on the plus side, it's always hard to fit the Stomp in, with so much else going on. Maybe with a weekend to themselves, my chances of attending could increase.

(Where did you see this announcement, BTW? It's not on their website yet)

I was sent this as a press release from the Stomp publicist....

I certainly see advantages to it being in the fall, but it seems that Fest time has the natural audience already in town and now they might have to persuade people to make a second trip -- or to choose between the two.

And it seems a bit of a move away from the original intent of Stomp, which was to highlight a realm of artists who Fest had been increasingly excluding, something that works better when set against the background of Fest rather than as a totally separate event.

[MormonMatthew]

But on the plus side, it's always hard to fit the Stomp in, with so much else going on.

Boy, that's for sure---In my years of Jazzfesting (13 and counting) I have only made it to the Stomp once, back when it was still at Rock N Bowl. It would be great if they could continue to take the Stomp on the road to a few select cities (NYC, San Francisco, Austin) to give the artists some well deserved exposure and a bit of additional income..........

[Jim]

The weekend of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ festival would be a good fit.

[The Krewe of Chew]

No Stomp? Not even a conference?!

Well it does make the days between a lot less hectic.

[BigDag]

It's a good thing. The Stomp needs to stand on its own. This will give it a better opportunity to do that.

[Leni]

It sure does. But on the plus side, it's always hard to fit the Stomp in, with so much else going on. Maybe with a weekend to themselves, my chances of attending could increase.

(Where did you see this announcement, BTW? It's not on their website yet)

Also a good excuse to make another trip ....

[Baconwrapped]

Also a good excuse to make another trip ....

The Stomp people claim that most of their loyal audience members come for Stomp and not for Fest. So moving the event clears up a lot of things for the... no Fest competition for booking NOLA artists, more chance for press coverage and can do a weekend rather than weekdays....

[swag]

Keith Spera has the story now too:
http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2009/11/ponderosa_stomp_moving_from_ja.html

[The Krewe of Chew]

The Stomp people claim that most of their loyal audience members come for Stomp and not for Fest. So moving the event clears up a lot of things for the... no Fest competition for booking NOLA artists, more chance for press coverage and can do a weekend rather than weekdays....

We had a friend who did that last year--flew in Monday morning, left Thursday morning. He came just for the Stomp, but couldn't take extra days off from work to stay for Jazzfest.

[duende]

This probably makes a lot of sense from Ira's standpoint - it turns the Stomp into a destination event, rather than having the event shoe-horn'd into another Fest's timeframe. Our first Stomp (rockabilly night) was full of Ray-Ban-wearin', gabardine-suited, pompadour'd retro dudes (plus Beatle Bob) and their record collections for signatures, and they freely admitted that they had no use for Jazzfest... blasphemy! Ironically, I never went again after the move to HOB, so my opinion doesn't count for much - we were just too "busy"!

[windowman]

Except for the folks who will have to travel here another time to catch the Stomp, I think this is good all the way around. It is better for Chazfest, Ingrid's party and the instore performances in addition to who knows what else that will spring up in lieu of PS. The Stomp was at its best at the old RnB with the downstairs stage, and HOB, even allowing people to go in and out, failed to match the vibe. Hopefully, it can now be moved to Frenchmen Street where fans and musicians can hang out and go from club to club. Along with Blues and BBQ, Congo Sq. Rhythm, Swamp, Mirliton, Festival Latina, PoBoy, Voodoo and VOW, Ponderosa Stomp could help galvanize New Orleans as the definitive fall music destination. Bring on the Stomp!!

[Blitzzzzz]

.....
The Stomp is launching a fall fundraising drive to build upon these recent successes and to continue to expand their unique and vital work. Cultural preservation efforts require the technical skill, time and expertise of their small, committed staff to be successful. Even a lean machine like the Stomp needs additional resources to continue to turn the mission into action. “We are on a crusade to convert the masses of music fans and vinyl junkies to the gospel of the Ponderosa Stomp. We hope a visit to www.ponderosastomp.org (http://www.ponderosastomp.org) will create a disturbance in your mind and that you will get up off your thing and get involved with the Stomp,” explained Padnos......


Sounds a little too much like the cult of personality, or the cult of Quint, to me!:cool:

[MaloGator]

I can understand the move, but I booked an extra night specifically to see the Wed night show, as the second night has typically appealled to me more. Bummer! I wonder if I'll be able to find anything else to do that night...

[Staxsun]

The Stomp people claim that most of their loyal audience members come for Stomp and not for Fest. So moving the event clears up a lot of things for the... no Fest competition for booking NOLA artists, more chance for press coverage and can do a weekend rather than weekdays....

While I think this will probably be good for the Stomp in the long run, I suspect the abundance of daze between events and venue issues is really behind this. It is no longer a dead time that needs filling for the clubs and the hard core attendees.

[sharon_loves_fats]

Oh man. I can't decide if I'm happy or unhappy about this. I agree the Stomp needs to stand on its own and yes, I couldn't always fit it in during JF, but at least I was guaranteed to be in town for it. On the other hand, it's a lovely excuse for a fall trip to nola...

[chrisjoseph]

It seems like an ambitious move in this economy....they already have a built in audience that attends Jazzfest.....I think in the long run this might make sense....not sure about the short-term, though.

[sharon_loves_fats]

I know a few people who go to the Stomp every year and don't go to JF. So hopefully it will work out for them in the short term too.

[Lit]

The weekend of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ festival would be a good fit.

Totally agree with this. Makes perfect sense. This was my first time at B&BBQ, but by all reports it has grown by leaps and bounds in its four years of existence--including this year despite the economy. I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of the main thoughts behind the move.

[glinda]

I can understand the move, but I booked an extra night specifically to see the Wed night show, as the second night has typically appealled to me more. Bummer! I wonder if I'll be able to find anything else to do that night...

Hmmm... maybe.;)

[glinda]

The weekend of the Crescent City Blues & BBQ festival would be a good fit.

Oooh! Oooh! I hope so. Got a conference in town that weekend 2010. That could work out nicely....

[neverleft]

I am one who just loved the fact that they were there in the middle of the week, but this move maybe will give them more exposure.
In the first years I looked forward to going to the old Rock N' Bowl and seeing some great acts you cannot nominally see. Then later I forced myself to the HOB to check it out.
Last year, one of my favorite nights was Wanda Jackson, Roy Loney and Cyril Jordan. Also, Question Mark & the Mysterians were just unbelievable.
I hope for them good success on the move. If it doesn't work out they can always come back to the middle of Jazz Fest week.

[Baconwrapped]

I know they really struggled for press coverage in recent years. Post-flood, Fest got a lot of extra attention as a "state-of-NOLA" story and that didn't leave much room for Stomp pieces. (Ironically, two years ago when the L.A. Times' new pop music editor came on board, I pitched her several Fest-related story ideas and the only one she DID want was a Stomp thing, which led to me being "embedded" as Dr. Ike's shadow for a long, delightful day. It ultimately proved to be my penultimate story for the Times, and one of which I am quite proud.)

[VWGal]

Well, speaking completely selfishly, I'd like the move to the fall as I would absolutely include the Stomp on the itinerary for a fall trip to NOLA. I imagine Ike wants to expand, which is tough to do during fest week. He'll be taking a considered gamble to trade off Jazzfest audiences for the bigger profile/ticket revenue if he could expand the offering over a day or two more, more venues, more acts.....

But it might be a toughish go the first couple of years -- Ike's smart, he'll expand only as much as the audience will take up the capacity, so I think long-run, this is an inspired decision.

Time will tell...

[festivalgirl]

I can understand the move, but I booked an extra night specifically to see the Wed night show, as the second night has typically appealled to me more. Bummer! I wonder if I'll be able to find anything else to do that night...

Hmmmmm, I think we can come up with something for you to do.

[Canine Horror]

But it might be a toughish go the first couple of years -- Ike's smart, he'll expand only as much as the audience will take up the capacity, so I think long-run, this is an inspired decision.

Time will tell...

Not sure i agree with that VW. Yes Dr Ike is indeed smart, but the whole project has been more of a visionary "If we build it, they will come" type of concept (some would say a lunatic one !), rather than a calculated pitch at the potential audience.
However, despite that, by and large they did come.
I've just got back from the blues festival in Lucerne, and the predominant view of the many Stomp attendees i met there, has been one of disbelief (and in some cases, anger!). I think from the very first year of the Stomp, there has been a significant presence from overseas (perhaps as many as 10 to 20 % of the audience in my "top of my head" estimation).
I personally know folks who have come from Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Spain and a huge contingent from the U.K, most of whom took advantage of the fact that it was sandwiched between Jazzfest weekends.
Many of these fans will not be willing/able to make a seperate trip.
Of course, this may be more than outweighed by the increase in locals or U.S out-of-towners who will find it an atttractive weekend proposition in its own right.
As you correctly say, "time will tell...", I hope they know what they are doing...

[mymecca]

but haven't been since the stomp left the RnB...don't really like the HOB...tues is full with the patry and wed tends to be the one and only crash day if ya gotta have one...

if they move it to festgiving weekend, they'd get lots of THs, including me...otherwise i don't know that i'd be makin' another trip...now if they wanna take the show on the road...SF stomp, fine by me...

[sophisticated sissy]

It seems like an ambitious move in this economy....they already have a built in audience that attends Jazzfest.....I think in the long run this might make sense....not sure about the short-term, though.


have to agree w/ ChrisJ above.
The only move they should make, IMO, is back to the Mid City Lanes' Rock 'N Bowl.

[ohio]

I sure hope it can be festgiving weekend, no way I can add yet another Nola trip each year. They gotta get out of HOB as well- it has been pretty much packed there the last couple of years, not really any room to grow. Frenchmen Street's collection of clubs would be so ideal!

[Blitzzzzz]

I sure hope it can be festgiving weekend, no way I can add yet another Nola trip each year. They gotta get out of HOB as well- it has been pretty much packed there the last couple of years, not really any room to grow. Frenchmen Street's collection of clubs would be so ideal!


Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how they could go to Frenchmen St. Way to hard to control the revenue stream and the dilution of the bill might make for less interest from the fan base. BTW/ love the hat, Bry!:cool:

[Baconwrapped]

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how they could go to Frenchmen St. Way to hard to control the revenue stream and the dilution of the bill might make for less interest from the fan base. BTW/ love the hat, Bry!:cool:

Yeah, agree with that (and about the hat).... probably the best approach is to have a main venue (whether HoB or somewhere else) and also have shows at various other clubs... so sell both passes that cover everything and also single-ticket entry to the specific shows. Can even supplement that with some outdoor daytime freebies, something at the Cabildo as they do regularly already maybe.

[Orleansnj]

Also a good excuse to make another trip ....

The Stomp people claim that most of their loyal audience members come for Stomp and not for Fest. So moving the event clears up a lot of things for the... no Fest competition for booking NOLA artists, more chance for press coverage and can do a weekend rather than weekdays....

All good points.

[windowman]

Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how they could go to Frenchmen St. Way to hard to control the revenue stream and the dilution of the bill might make for less interest from the fan base.

There have been coordinated events on Frenchmen St. for Satchmo and for another music conference. Jazzcent does the club strut and sells tickets to allow access to all of the clubs on Frenchmen. I can't recall the name of the other event (I have a friend who was involved with it), but it was the same basic concept. What made PS so great at RnB was not just the multiple stages, but musicians from across the spectrum (many not performing) hanging out to hear someone play, meeting fans and just enjoying the scene. I remember Antoinette K-doe trying to sell me some boxer shorts with a picture of Ernie plastered across them. You don't have that vibe at HOB. It can be done on Frenchmen, could even carry it over to Checkpoint Charlie and Balcony.

[Baconwrapped]

The real problem with Frenchman is that none of the clubs could accommodate real headliners... They need a room that can hold more than any of those spaces can...

[sophisticated sissy]

What made PS so great at RnB was not just the multiple stages, but musicians from across the spectrum (many not performing) hanging out to hear someone play, meeting fans and just enjoying the scene. I remember Antoinette K-doe trying to sell me some boxer shorts with a picture of Ernie plastered across them. You don't have that vibe at HOB. It can be done on Frenchmen, could even carry it over to Checkpoint Charlie and Balcony.

All great points, Wynn. And I think it would go off really well on Frenchmen St. as you suggest.
As soon as somebody says "can't", there are others who start looking at potential openings to make it "can.":)

At any rate, I hope and pray that the PS looks for a new home. Not that I hate HOB, but it's time to share the wealth of talent and spread the event to other venues in the city. Maybe they could take a look at Muni. Aud., or is that deal kaput?

[swag]

Maybe they could take a look at Muni. Aud., or is that deal kaput?

The Auditorium won't be ready to host anything till 2012.

[Blitzzzzz]

AAs soon as somebody says "can't", there are others who start looking at potential openings to make it "can.":)


The real problem with Frenchman is that none of the clubs could accommodate real headliners... They need a room that can hold more than any of those spaces can...

Didn't say can't, but yeah, splitting that event into a dozen little pieces changes it in major ways and except for the overall "Frenchmen" vibe not for the better!:cool:

[Canine Horror]

The real problem with Frenchman is that none of the clubs could accommodate real headliners... They need a room that can hold more than any of those spaces can...

The way i hear it, is that notwithstanding the rhetoric, they are looking to return the Stomp to its original ethos, namely to provide exposure to some of the undeservedly obscure originators of the music we know and love...headliners don't really enter the equation.
I expect it will effectively be a 'downsized' smaller-scale affair, certainly less ambitious in scope than in recent years at the H.O.B (which incidentally, like the years at the Rock 'n Bowl, never actually sold out).
I'm pretty sure that whatever form it takes -and whenever it happens- it will be well worth attending.

[Baconwrapped]

The way i hear it, is that notwithstanding the rhetoric, they are looking to return the Stomp to its original ethos, namely to provide exposure to some of the undeservedly obscure originators of the music we know and love...headliners don't really enter the equation.
I expect it will effectively be a 'downsized' smaller-scale affair, certainly less ambitious in scope than in recent years at the H.O.B (which incidentally, like the years at the Rock 'n Bowl, never actually sold out).
I'm pretty sure that whatever form it takes -and whenever it happens- it will be well worth attending.

Yes, I expect that by and large that is the case. and by "headliner" I certainly don't mean Bon Jovi... or even Jerry Lee Lewis or some such aesthetically fitting superstar. But certainly they will be wanting to get a few acts that can draw 500 or so people. And no Frenchman club comes close to that. Now, I suppose they could have it BOTH ways.... maybe two nights of smaller things on Frenchman and then the grand finale with a couple bigger names at HoB or somewhere....

[Canine Horror]

Yes, I expect that by and large that is the case. and by "headliner" I certainly don't mean Bon Jovi... or even Jerry Lee Lewis or some such aesthetically fitting superstar. But certainly they will be wanting to get a few acts that can draw 500 or so people. And no Frenchman club comes close to that. Now, I suppose they could have it BOTH ways.... maybe two nights of smaller things on Frenchman and then the grand finale with a couple bigger names at HoB or somewhere....

I am still hopeful of a Ponderosa Stomp gig of some description over Jazzfest, even if its just one of their cozy events at the Circle Bar...have seen the likes of Robert Belfour, Classie Ballou and Eddie Kirkland put in great performances there over the years under the Stomp auspices.

[Baconwrapped]

I am still hopeful of a Ponderosa Stomp gig of some description over Jazzfest, even if its just one of their cozy events at the Circle Bar...have seen the likes of Robert Belfour, Classie Ballou and Eddie Kirkland put in great performances there over the years under the Stomp auspices.

I would expect something along those lines... or maybe the free show at the Cabildo... something to keep the brand name in people's minds....

[marignygreg]

Anyone go ??

[noah]

Yes. It was, of course, fantastic, and quite well attended (although it only utilized the main HOB stage and the very small patio). The organizers seemed quite happy with the move away from jazzfest weekend.

[petegumbo]

it was good...highlights for me were THE RELATIVES an awesome gospel group from Dallas TX and SUGAR PIE DESANTO but everybody was good, including an unannounced visit by Ronnie Spector... but let's face it, it's tough to compete with Ponderosa Stomps #1, #2, #3 etc... the first one at the Arts Center with Dave Bartholomew Big Band w/Earl Palmer on drums, Tony Joe White, etc. etc. plus the unnanounced surprise of Big Jay McNeilly...but I have enjoyed all of them (I did miss 2 yrs in the middle) but every year a cavalcade of stars, do you all remember Betty Harris's set @Rock n Bowl? I mean, WOW...

I'm guessing (and hoping) like others have speculated, that they will do SOMETHING somewhere during Jazzfest week, but thinking they will still be putting on whole 9 yards in Sept...

[ohio]

No ill will intended, but I'm sad that the Stomp has moved from Fest week. Not in a position to travel as much as in the past and will miss the phenomenal enjoyment received over the years. Doubly sorry now about the few I missed in the past! Rock on Ira!