JPF Home Page Forums Mid North US Chapter Message Boards Indianapolis Chapter Message Board Plans for NAMM this summmer?

Hi Folks,

I'd like to start working now on some shows/events around NAMM this coming summer. This will be Indianapolis's first shot at being on the map with this huge conference and I think the locals should take advantage of all the attention.

Lets plan a gathering to discuss how we can leverage the opportunity to support the Indianapolis music scene, and the NAMM show both.

Brian

It's great to hear from you Brian!

Let's jump on this right away. There is a rumor that the economy is recovering (somewhere), so folks should be coming back out to live music venues . Winning the hearts and minds of the players and the venues is essential to having a decent showcase, or two, or ten, during NAMM.

My assumption is that the only way to do this thing properly is to apply for substantial sponsorship from local music industry movers and shakers, such as BMG, Guitar Center, etc. Without $ flowing from somewhere, getting the equipment and personnel lined up will be a "challenge".

As you can tell from the traffic on this board, no one can accuse the Indy JPFolks gang of "Irrational Exuberance". We did have a stab at doing a test run of the video capture concept back in September. The outcome did not noticably upset the status quo.

There have been some follow-on activities however, resulting from my experiements is low-budget audio reinforcment. The upshot is that buskers can now be made audible, even on a busy street corner, without having to lug tons of extra equipment, nor arranging for AC power outlets in the sidewalks.

That's the Good News. As you probably know, Indianapolis is officially "busker unfriendly". Even worse, the mile-square and Broad Ripple areas are specifically off-limits to any type of "street vending".

So, busking is a difficult proposition in Nap-town, for those who think laws and ordinances should be respected at face value. There is a slim possibility of getting a temporary reprieve during NAMM, but it will require some very tedious paperwork, public hearings, etc. Not exactly what most musicians want to do in their spare time.

I know you aren't overly concerned about having an impact at the guerilla performance level, but it should be considered when planning for an event like NAMM. Having a respectable showing of talented buskers could be a unique point of interest for presenting Indy as an entertainment destination.

Let us know when you can break free, and we'll be there. If we can meet at Bubba's, or somewhere on the Near East Side, it would be fairly convenient for most of the crew.

Thanks!
Emmit Sycamore


[This message has been edited by EmmitSycamore (edited 12-28-2004).]

Count me in. Please make it a weekday meeting
if possible. I have a weekend house gig .
Thanks,
Keep up the great work ,
Your efforts are respected and appreciated.
Sincerely,
J. Richard Murray
http://www.jrichardmurray.com

I will be very busy come NAMM time but I will be happy to participate on whatever level I am able.

Have you by chance contacted the INDY.Org people about some sort of NAMM exemption on busking Emmit ?

Peace

Mikel

I have contacted Indy.org, at (317) 639-4282 who referred me to the Mayor's Action Center, at (317) 4622, where I was referred me to the City Controller's Office, at (317) 327-4316, from whence I was referred to Jean Plunkett, at (317) 327-4849. Jean handles Special Events.

I left a message for Jean, so it isn't entirely inconceivable that I'll get a call back.

However, here's what I've been told so far:

The Controller's Office is particularly concerned with "vendors", that is, folks who are selling stuff. So, If buskers don't actually sell anything, that's one layer of complexity that is removed. We're not completely off the hook, however. Even when a vendor's license isn't required (when you're not actually selling anything), a permit is still needed.

The plot thickens. According to folks I've spoken to before, there seems to be a city ordinance prohibiting street preformers, so a permit isn't possible. On the other hand, there has been at least one recent instance where a street musician went ahead and performed anyhow, was told to "cease and desist" by authorities (police, for "pan-handling"). Afterward an official statement was made that performers who do not solicit (ask for $) were never an intended target of the panhandler "crackdown", and that the musician should not have been prevented from performing.

As you can see, the letter of the ordinance, and the current policy are not always in sync.

Back to the vending thing. If performers want to sell stuff (CDs anyone?), and they want to perform "on the street" (outside, not inside a building), they are prohibited from occupying public space (for "safety reasons"). If they occupy a private space, they need a letter of permission from the land owner (not a manager, not an acting agent, the PROPERTY OWNER) in order to get a transient vendor license. Yes, they need a letter of permission and a transient vendor license for every location where they engage in commerce (selling stuff). The licenses are valid for one year.

Here's the gotcha: There is a total ban on outdoor vendors in the Mile Square, and Broad Ripple. So, no transient vendor licenses are available for the most likely spots where buskers would want to be during NAMM.

However, anything can be circumvented, especially temporarily, by making a proposal, asking for a "Variance" and / or "Special Exception" (and exception to the exception?), which involves paying an application fee, most likely hiring legal counsel, and pleading the case at multiple public meetings, where politicians will decide your fate.

Fun, eh?

Anyhow, maybe Jean will call back, see that it's a good idea, know the right folks to schmooze, and the right strings to pull. It can't hurt to ask.

Later,
Emmit Sycamore


[This message has been edited by EmmitSycamore (edited 01-11-2005).]

Emmit:

All I can say is:

ack!

Mikel:

Who were those folks you told me about who might want help organizing music for NAMM on behalf of the city of Indianapolis?

Brian

Jean Called Back!

Things may noit be as grim as I painted. Jean pointed me to a web page:

http://www6.indygov.org/controller/special_events/

where an application form can be submitted to request Special Event Permit. The following explanation makes details modestly clear:

"The Special Event Permit application enables you to submit requests for special event permits online via IndyGov. According to the Code of Indianapolis and Marion County, a special event "means a community outdoor gathering which is held on or makes use of City property." "

The good news is that a process is in place. All we need to do is tailor our plans to fit the requirements.

One approach might be to stake out some convenient busking turf near entrances to NAMM and MMS events. Each location could act as a "mini-showcase". Performers could even rotate beteen sites, giving artists multiple opportunities to be heard.

Alternatively, we could consider an outdoor JPFolks Showcase at University Park, on the Circle, or at some indoor facility, such as an auditorium. These need not preclude a traditional showcase at a local commercial venue, where a more sophisticated program could be supported.

More soon,
Emmit Sycamore


[This message has been edited by EmmitSycamore (edited 01-11-2005).]

Tracy Povolock
Convention Services Manager
tpovolock@indianapolis.org

Was who had initially approached me at the Summer NAMM in Nashville 2004.

Somewhere along the way this all got handed off and now they are planning on the MWMS to handle this.

I do have some other ideas, but as you know my actual participation during the show will probably be pretty limited.

Peace Mikel

Mikel,

Well, that matches was I was told a year ago. So I wonder if the insider action finally made its way to the top. With their label going under and the fact that they still haven't paid us the $2200 dollars they owe us from our show with them in 2001, I can't believe they have the ability to handle anything else eh?

Brian

Let's get this NAMM Discussion heated back up.
I would love to make the most of this event,
being that it's in our own backyard.
I will have a booth at the WFMS 95.5
Country music expo at the fair grounds
April 9th and 10th. Please stop by and say hello. I will have a new batch of c.d's for sale just in time for this event.
The c.d. is titled MODERN COUNTRY and it features 10 Indiana artists.
Maybe I'll see you there.
Sincerely,
J. Richard Murray
A.K.A.. acoustic soul
http://www.jrichardmurray.com

Sorry Gang,

I just not around to help out much. I get into town to visit the family about every two or three week. It looks like things will be this way for some time, as long as this out-of-town assignment lasts. I shouldn't complain, with the economy the way it has been, at least around Indy.

Ironically, I do have a project I'm working on, which would be great to flash around at NAMM. Financially, I'm ready to proceed now, but my free time has pretty much vanished, not to mention I don't really have facilities to tinker much here. There will always be another NAMM, but how long before it comes back to Indy? Sigh . . .

Best to all!
Emmit Sycamore

The Way it is set up right now, the NAMM is supposed to come to Indianapolis every other year for the next 10 years although, I understand that may not be written in stone.

BTW what is this free time you speak of

Mikel

I've heard that some downtown clubs(Slippery Noodle, et al) are getting some national acts in for NAMM. Which means, local acts need to have some type of showcase to be heard more and more, not that they didn't before. Besides street permits, which have already been discussed, is there anybody offering/working on a venue to showcase. I'm kind of new to the boards so I don't know if JPFolks has a booth inside. Brian, you did mention that one of the dates you would be in Indy is the NAMM weekend, correct?

Hey Jeff

JP Folks has not had a NAMM booth in the past, but Brian has stopped by my booth almost every summer.

Just FYI performances during the show are typically pretty rare, and are usually a name brand musician and always sponsored by an exhibitor that has a product to push.

I think that Brian is working on some sort of show case opportunity at this time but I don't know the details.

Didn't I see you play at the Artsgarden? I know I saw you with Zana on St Patty's day 2001.

Peace

Mikel

Hi Mikel,

Yeah, I played the Artgarden recently in March, the next time I'm there will be November.

You have a good memory, it was St. Patty's day. I haven't played with Zanna for about 1yr and a half(Michael Read took my place). I usually have to look at my website to remember this year's gigs! The only reason I remember the website address is that it's my name.

I think the MMSummit is going on that weekend, too. Although, I think I read some sarcasm between you and Brian in a previous entry above about that, which has me worried. Maybe I'm just imagining it, though.

Jeff

BUMP...........
This date will be here before we know it.
Anything in the works yet?

Bump again, although it seems like this board
is dead. What's going on Indy folk?
Not interested in making new contacts ?
I am still interested in showcase opportunities during NAMM if anyone has any info ,
please forward it to me.
Thanks,
J. Richard Murray
http://www.jrichardmurray.com
aka. acoustic soul

Hey Richard

I will get with Brian this week and see what he has going. I seriously doubt that I personally will be able to do much during this time as the show usually consumes me.

I hope I get to meet you then anyway

Peace

Mikel

Is this the JP Folks Open Mic Brian?

Saturday • July 23, 2005
12:00 PM
Morrison Opera Place (All Ages)
47 South Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204

Thanks

Mikel

I was glad to see Brian and Linda once again at the SHS/Morgan Monroe booth at the NAMM.

Thanks for coming by!!

Mikel