We've written and spoken at length these past few months about the state of the music business for smaller artists, both in performance and recorded works. Our goals for Mountville 30 were ambitious to say the least, but they also felt vital if we want to continue having these kinds of experiences that we've grown to cherish. We knew that we were going to need help - a lot of it - to bring that vision to life this year.
In tandem with all of our generous Mountville family (thank you so much!), our goal was also to partner with businesses and organizations who are compatible with our mission of bringing artists and community together in a special experience each year. And how lucky are we to have such friends and colleagues in our DMV region (DC-Maryland-Virginia)! Nearly every organization we approached signed aboard, and Mountville was both improved and strengthened by their presence and contribution - even though the heat kept several representatives safely at home in air-conditioned spaces (good choice!).
So this morning's gratitude is to our underwriters, especially our premium supporters at Catoctin Creek Distilling Company who were onsite all weekend making new friends and offering some of their delicious non-alcoholic libations. Along with their side business Tincture Co, Catoctin Creek was an absolute delight every step of the way and it was so wonderful that they were able to be here. We hope that Mick and Joy both enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed having them.
Four organizations helped by underwriting individual performances during the festival, another huge contribution. Focus Music presents great intimate concerts in a variety of locations around the DMV, and membership offers you a discount on all the tickets you buy while helping to support and sustain live performances - much like we try to do with Mountville. They have some great shows lined up this summer and fall; please do go get yourself a live music fix, and if you buy a membership please tell them that you are “Mountville family”. (Also, most of their shows now are livestreamed so you can enjoy great performances from home in California, Connecticut, Canada, and damn near anywhere in the world!)
Likewise, the Songwriter's Association of Washington presents songwriter showcases, concerts, workshops and more around the DMV, and they are the driving force behind the annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. For anyone interested in the craft as a participant or a listener, SAW has lots of great opportunities for you - please put some of their upcoming events on your calendar as well.
Scott and Paula of Moore Music (In the House) in Rockville MD have been hosting house concerts now for over 25 years, and they have brought in some amazing artists normally seen on much larger stages as well as introducing their audience to lots of new and emerging talents - primarily singer/songwriters. They too stream most of their shows. We often say that Mountville is “like a house concert on steroids, with camping.” You can skip the camping but still enjoy the intimacy of a house concert, and best of all they have shows pretty much monthly all year round.
The Aldie Ruritan Club embodies our vision of community - teaming up to do good works in our local community, including scholarships and other support for our youth. It was a perfect touch to have them underwrite the opening set from 17-year old Madi McKnight and the Porch Wrens; supporting our next generation in their growth, development and opportunity.
Three other organizations lent incredibly important support too. Our local Shamrock Music Shoppe in Purcellville is THE place to go in western Loudoun for instruments and instruction. Guitarists take note - Shamrock is a dealer for PRS AND Fender guitars! The showroom is impressive, but the commitment to their customers and their satisfaction is what makes Shamrock our go-to supplier for gear and supplies. They also have a very vibrant instrumental rental and instruction department for our local middle and high school bands and orchestras.
We were also thrilled to have the Friends of Franklin Park Arts Center partner with us this year. They are the advocacy group for our local 275-theater in Purcellville, and its ambitious schedule of concerts, theater, art exhibitions and more. Franklin Park is a wonderful place to see a show, and several times a year a big name artist will include the “capital of western Loudoun” on their tour calendar - thanks to the Friends generous support! Over the last three years, they have added professional broadcast capabilities which make it possible for them to stream and film/record shows for later release. We would love for YOU to experience our local theater - please follow the Franklin Park calendar and come visit a few times between Mountvilles too!
Finally, a late but much appreciated partner is Tomy Wright and his Man on the Line Music publishing company. Tomy is our first deep connection to the acoustic music scene just across the Potomac in Frederick County, Maryland. We want to build more bridges to the musicians and fans there to come be part of Mountville, and Tomy's support helped us put a sturdy span across the river. Tomy is involved with some fantastic Frederick-focused music projects such as the Chords of Courage youth songwriting contest and FAME (Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise).
To all of our underwriters, our heartfelt thanks for helping us make this Mountville happen, to help get us on solid ground going forward, and especially for partnering with us in our mission to bring artists and communities together to experience the magic of live performance.