In response to Mike Davies’ column “That’s why we can’t have nice things...”
Mike, the main reason Rockin’ the River had low attendance was inexperience on the promoter’s end.
There were two well established full weekend festivals on the same weekend...one in Cumberland, the other in Salmon Arm (Salmon Arm Roots and Blues’ 22nd anniversary ). Salmon Arm Roots and Blues (SARB) cost $119 for 31+ hours of music on five stages and of course, travel expense (camping holiday for us to travel there and back ). I hadn’t heard of most of the acts (Ian Tyson and Bill Kirchner of “Hot Rod Lincoln”, Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen were two I was aware of ) but since 2009 their “no names” have all been either local or world class musicians all exceptional talents.
SARB is supported by the City of Salmon, local businesses and community and hundreds of volunteers. They had a Canadian “Blues name” (Ken Hamm) at their inaugural fest which drew people in, then they heard all the “no names” and new fans were created.
Ed Ivanisko
Campbell River