Over 97 International Chapters to Meet this May 17th & 18th
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 23, 2023) — SongFarmers, an international community of musicians and artists, will host its 8th annual gathering in Renfro Valley, Ky., at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame this May 17 and 18. The organization was created by Michael Johnathon, acclaimed folksinger, composer, poet, musician, renowned banjo/guitar player and host of the syndicated TV and radio show “WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour.”
“The music business has changed and left thousands of passionate, motivated, talented musicians and songwriters in an artistic void. What can they do with their skills in a music world that doesn’t buy CDs anymore?” asks Johnathon.
To answer this need, Johnathon founded SongFarmers in 2015. This international community of musicians and artists will host its 2024 gathering at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame this May. Active SongFarmers members get two free tickets to attend both days of the National Gathering. Attendees are invited to bring your instrument, your voice and your songs for a “front porch picking time” with SongFarmers.
Date: May 17 & 18, 2024
Location: Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum next to the historic Renfro Valley
I-75 Exit 62 • 2590 Richmond St, Mt Vernon, Ky., 40456
Find more information on the annual gathering and how to start your own local chapter at SongFarmers.org
“When we gather for the SongFarmers gathering, we do more than just play chords; we are creating and nurturing our community. SongFarmers is not about the spotlight; it’s about the porch light. Together, we are rewriting the narrative of what is considered ‘success’ when we think of music. SongFarmers is an emotional front porch which you can join from around the world, where every note played builds connections and every lyric sung tells a story,” says Johnathon.
With almost 100 active chapters where the local community of music lovers attend for free, SongFarmers is for “front porch” minded musicians, songwriters and fans who appreciate the simplicity of rural music. The group seeks to provide purpose and direction for musicians often overlooked by the conventional music scene. Rejecting the illusion of traditional success, SongFarmers offers a global network where musicians, as “SongFarmers,” become leaders and mentors in their communities through monthly gatherings.
SongFarmers was born as a reaction to the changing needs of working musicians. Johnathon saw the shift from physical music sales to digital consumption and realized that very soon, songwriters and artists who were already struggling to make a living would face an even greater barrier to success with the online world. SongFarmers provides new direction for musicians who want to continue their craft while also making a living outside the music industry.
This grassroots approach of the organization redirects the passion and skills of local musicians, giving them a meaningful outlet and dispelling the myth that success is confined to record deals and world tours.
“I am grateful to so many others who care enough about music and their communities to start a hometown SongFarmers chapter. Perry Brake, Skip Johns, Rik Palieri and others like Doug Oines, Loretta Sawyer, Chris Desa, Janice Alvarado, Ellen Mershon, Pat Kelleher in Ireland, Ken Miller, Kari Estrin, Bryan Klausing and many others, too many to mention, are helping SongFarmers literally build a front porch around the world,” Johnathon said.
Join the SongFarmers movement and rediscover the joy of making music with purpose at SongFarmers.org.
About Michael Johnathon:
Hailing from Beacon, New York, banjo-playing folksinger Michael Johnathon now resides in a log cabin outside Lexington, Kentucky, with a deep appreciation for Appalachian culture and its impact on society. Johnathon stands out, seeking connection amidst a stressful world where he has transformed “dreaming” into a refined art form. In a career trajectory reminiscent of Pete Seeger’s innovative Clearwater sloop project, Johnathon defies industry norms, reaching a global fan base comprised of neighbors, families and fellow musicians. Believing in the transformative power of the emotional front porch, he has cultivated powerful partnerships, notably with the radio and TV WoodSongs broadcast, celebrated as a multimedia “front porch”. Recognized with the prestigious Milner Award of the Arts by the Governor of Kentucky, Johnathon’s impact echoes among the artistic elite, standing alongside luminaries like Wendell Berry and Jean Ritchie.
Visit Michael online at MichaelJohnathon.com.
© 2021 Music City Memo | All Rights Reserved. Website by Web.com
