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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 16:48:45 GMT
It with a certain amount of sadness, but also some relief that I have decided not to run this year's Roots & Blues Weekend. I have been running the Pocklington Roots & Blues Weekend since 2013 and before that I was the slide tutor there for the Euro Blues weekends since 2001. I have run it as a business venture and therefore do not get any funding or support from anywhere and it is a very costly thing to run. For all the years leading up to Covid I made a profit, but the two years since Covid have both cost me money. I am prepared to break even, but when I am paying out quite large sums of money to keep it going it takes the joy out of it, which I am sure you can understand. If I was younger I might have a different mindset about it, but I just don't want to spend the next few months promoting an event that loses money. Apart from the two Covid years I have been there every November for 22 years and I think I have run out of Pocky steam, if there is such a thing. I will be holding a slide guitar masterclass at the Folkestone Songwriters Festival on the 4th October, and at some point in the winter of '24 or '25 I will be holding a residential songwriting/music/slide guitar weekend in a beautiful house in the Lake District with Chaz Jankel. So there will be some stuff happening on the tuition front, but they will not be set up and run by me. Locals to Pocklington may want to keep Saturday 16th November in their diaries as I will be playing at Pocklington Arts Centre as 'Michael Messer & Chaz Jankel Band' Shine On Michael  |
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 28, 2024 17:10:02 GMT
Sad news indeed but perfectly understandable. Be a change to be driving south though.  |
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Post by bonzo on Mar 28, 2024 17:12:28 GMT
Sad news Michael. I have to admit north Yorkshire in November has been beyond my stamina!
You have done some further south (of Watford would be nice) so if you did have thoughts along those lines I'm pretty sure it would be well attended. If price needs to be adjusted so be it. How about a poll guys. This is in no way intended to put you on the spot Michael.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 17:36:18 GMT
Thank you PD and Bonzo, your kind words of support mean a great deal.
I might dabble in setting up something, but for the moment I am happy that I am teaching at someone else's event.
We'll see how I feel after a break from running it.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by stevie2sticks on Mar 28, 2024 17:59:55 GMT
Hi Michael
Im sure all will agree that its sad news.
The weekends have offered great support to musicians and wannabe musicians like myself.
And personally I’ve discovered a world of “Bluesmen” I’ve never heard of before and gone on to buy CDs for my car! and one or two performed some of their music.
The weekends also have also been a great place to shoot the breeze with friends.
But at the end of the day if it ain’t working financially, closing it is reality. You have to pay your bills in life same as everybody.
A big thank you for all your help and a thank you to those who’ve helped you.
All the best for the future.
Steve
Isle of Man
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Post by leeophonic on Mar 28, 2024 19:46:38 GMT
I think there is mileage in moving stuff around the country, as much as I fancied Pocklington I couldn't be arsed with the journey, similar our northern players may not fancy Folkstone (or music town as it is trying to re brand it's self) The Folkstone one may work for me unfortunately the mother in law is also there so may need some excuse or other to pop out if can engineer a visit.
Regards
Lee
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Post by nowthen on Mar 28, 2024 19:47:08 GMT
Sad but understandable decision, for the rest of us it's a weekend jolly up as well as lessons,for you (although I know you enjoy it) it's work and a financial commitment (with a joly up) The friendships made there have become a wonderful part of my life and will continue to be.Thank you for keeping it going for as long as you have.
I'll see you in the Italian.
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Mar 28, 2024 20:26:09 GMT
I'll see you in the Italian. Now that's a good idea - tell us when! Messer Jankel Gig? |
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 28, 2024 22:45:21 GMT
I'll see you in the Italian. Now that's a good idea - tell us when! Messer Jankel Gig? Well that one is in Pocklington on the 16th November. Are we all going to it? If so, maybe we should do a workshop on the Sunday. So how many are we in the Italian restaurant? It’s not as easy as I thought it would be to escape! 😂🎸⚡️💥 Shine On Michael |
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Post by nowthen on Mar 29, 2024 12:03:40 GMT
Now that's a good idea - tell us when! Messer Jankel Gig? Well that one is in Pocklington on the 16th November. Are we all going to it? If so, maybe we should do a workshop on the Sunday. So how many are we in the Italian restaurant? It’s not as easy as I thought it would be to escape! 😂🎸⚡️💥 Shine On Michael |
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Post by nowthen on Mar 29, 2024 12:05:21 GMT
Well that one is in Pocklington on the 16th November. Are we all going to it? If so, maybe we should do a workshop on the Sunday. So how many are we in the Italian restaurant? It’s not as easy as I thought it would be to escape! 😂🎸⚡️💥 Shine On Michael |
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Post by nowthen on Mar 29, 2024 12:06:41 GMT
We're goanna need a bigger boat (table) ! Which is good. |
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Post by neilm on Mar 29, 2024 12:11:38 GMT
Well that is sad news indeed....as this was to be my first year attending....and im only 20 miles from Pocklington.
Neil
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Post by obrienp on Mar 29, 2024 15:28:48 GMT
Like others, I am very sad to hear this Michael but I fully understand. It is a lot to organise, a lot of hassle (I’m sure) and none of us are getting any younger. If on top of that your are losing money on the venture, then there is only one course of action. I will miss it and the chance to get together with other slide enthusiasts.
I wish you the best of luck with your other ventures and I hope to be able to participate in one of your events in the near future.
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Post by Michael Messer on Mar 29, 2024 17:17:34 GMT
Thanks to all for your kind words, your comments mean a great deal to me. I know how much everyone enjoys being there. The decision was a hard one to make because I love being there too. I think I just need a break from being the organiser as I have so much other stuff going on. As I have said I am keeping the Saturday night show going and the arts centre have very kindly offered it to me as an annual event. So who knows where that will take us!
November is a busy touring time and I really should be out doing that, so there are a few reasons why I have decided to stop doing it.
Shine On
Michael
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