The FolkTrain is coming to town (but only for an hour)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The FolkTrain is coming to town (but only for an hour)

It's a rolling folk festival, with elements of a business conference, writing retreat, recording session and medicine show caravan combined. It's 3,000 miles of music. It's FolkTrain.

On Sunday, Feb 9th, close to seventy singers, songwriters, fans and music business professionals from the US, Canada and England depart Montreal to begin the transcontinental rail journey across Canada and return for the 13th Annual North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance Conference, February 15-18 in Vancouver, BC.

Along the way during the 4 day trip, the performers - who range from unsigned artists to seasoned professionals - will be playing music both on board the train and at selected station stops along the way. All FolkTrainers have already been sent sampler cds, with songs by participants, so they can familiarize themselves with each other's music beforehand.

"Our definition of folk music is pretty broad," says music manager Charlie Hunter, who helped organize the trip. "Basically, everybody's welcome." This ecumenical approach to music is reflected in the up-to-the-minute technology the FolkTrainers will be using. Sound bytes and digital video clips will be uploaded to the Folktrain website from the road, for those who want to follow its progress on the internet at http://www.folktrain.com. Mark Thayer, recording engineer for the respected independent Signature Sounds label, will be recording many of the performances for possible future use.

Some of the longer stops where mini-concerts are planned include Winnepeg, MB (Sunday Feb 11th 4:55pm), Edmonton, AB (Monday Feb 12th 8:10am) and the final destination Vancouver, BC (Tuesday Feb 13th 7:51am)."We're planning a half-hour show at each major stop," laughs Alan Rowoth, coordinator of the FolkTrain concerts, "But if we're running late, well, we'll just have to play it by ear."

In Jasper, Alberta, where FolkTrain is scheduled to arrive at 2:15pm on Monday Feb 12th, the FolkTrainers will stage a brief memorial for Canadian-born folksinger - and former Via Rail lounge-car attendant - Al Grierson who died tragically in a flood in Texas last fall.

A smaller group of will make the return trip, departing eastward on Sunday February 18th. "We expect the trip back will be pretty low-key," says Sarah Ovenden, self proclaimed "Queen of On Board Services" of FolkTrain. "Everyone will be exhausted from the conference, so once we hit the Great Plains, it'll be a great opportunity to catch up on sleep."

Another Folktrain journey is already in the works for next year's conference in Jacksonville FL USA.

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For copies of the FolkTrain sampler, or to talk to FolkTrain organizers directly, email alan@folktrain.com

Websites of interest: http://www.folktrain.com (FolkTrain)
http://www.folk.org (North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance)
http://www.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/05/al.grierson/ (Al Grierson obit)