Do You Need the Blessings of the Memphis Mafia to Travel Abroad--Really?
I can count a number of people/bands who have or are planning to travel abroad to play international festivals. These same people never felt it necessary to ask for the blessings of the Blues Foundation. It's obvious they didn't need them .
By the same token, after jumping through hoops and obtaining the rights to travel abroad and boast about winning the honors of being called this year's best band, I know of others who never leave this country.
Do you really need to play the game to gain international acceptance? Do you really have to kiss up to travel abroad?
By the same token, after jumping through hoops and obtaining the rights to travel abroad and boast about winning the honors of being called this year's best band, I know of others who never leave this country.
Do you really need to play the game to gain international acceptance? Do you really have to kiss up to travel abroad?
Views: 3
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on -
This is a two prong issue. For most places in the EU it can be about who and how you've networked. On the other hand the UK is very difficult due to their new visa regulations. Right now you need a certain industry position to qualify for a visa to the UK. On the other hand other places it depends on connections. So it is possible that a pat on the back from the MM could help get a visa to play in the UK, it would not make a difference in other places.
-
Permalink Reply by CHC Network on -
Very good point. With security being as high as it is in the UK since 9/11, and subsequent bombings, this may be true regarding the UK. What their Visa regulations and requirements are can be determined. I have several friends in the UK. While it is important to have a certain industry position to qualify for a VISA, does this industry connection have to be with the Blues Foundation? On this matter the answer is a resounding NO. I can also check with friends who have recently returned from Spain, France, Italy, Sweden and Germany to find out what their experiences may have been and what clearances they may have needed to visit these countries. They all did their respective trips without the blessings of the Foundation. In fact, if asked whether they thought they should have checked with the Foundation first, they would all laugh.
-
Permalink Reply by Ricky Stevens on -
Just curious-what does the Blues Foundation have to do with Visa approval?
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on
-
Some countries require musicians have a certain professional standing before they grant a visa. The blues foundation in itself is only one reference that can be used to prove your credentials. Other visa'd gigs in surrounding countries is probably more important. And other than the UK it really doesn't matter. The UK has put new rules into effect in order to create more gigs for their own people.
-
Permalink Reply by CHC Network on
-
Interesting. I think it is also particularly so since we have accommodated their musicians over the years, most recently the British bands that played the Crossroads Guitar Fest. Of the thirty five guitarists who played this fest., most were British.
-
Permalink Reply by Craig Hughes on -
The British acts at the Crossroads festival (which is run by a Brit, after all) were big names - also it's a charity event, I believe. However there have been many cases reported over the past couple of years of established acts being refused Visas, or having tour-cancelling delays in having them issued, due to the rules regarding, essentially, fame.
In any case, 'smaller' acts have a very hard time getting Visas to play in the USA - which has been the case for as long as I can remember. It is a very expensive and awkward process, which will often result in a refusal (jazz and blues acts in particular, even some very established ones, can - and do - get knocked back on the grounds that jazz/blues are 'American' forms and therefore we foreign-types aren't needed to play them. The logic is that the British act - regardless of their standing as an original artist or creative contribution to the genre - would be robbing an American artist of those gigs).
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on
-
It would only be in the UK that the MM's could be helpful. Summer of 2009 I played in the Netherlands and Czech Republic and getting the visas weren't a problem. Uk is a unique situation since they REALLY tightened up their requirements a couple years ago. Years ago I played in the UK but it appears they are trying to keep the gigs to their own people. It's also become harder for foreign performers (Canada excepted) to get performing visas here in the US.
SE Asia is relatively easy compared to most other places as are the Baltic States and Austrailia.
As far as the point that the MM could help in the UK I meant that you need a certain International standing and ataboy from the MM is just an added thing you could use to prove your standing in the musical community. Although touring the rest of europe a few times is probably better and more profitable in order to get that UK visa.
-
Permalink Reply by CHC Network on
-
Interesting. Being as you are working more with Americana, what other organizations do you see giving an artist that "attaboy."
Other than competing in the IBCs, how else would a band get the endorsement of the Blues Foundation?
-
Permalink Reply by Ricky Stevens on
-
I was not aware the Blues Foundation "endorsed" anyone.
-
Permalink Reply by CHC Network on
-
Why haven't you been endorsed by the Foundation? Jay get this man an endorsement and while you're at it stamp his Visa.
While I meant this "endorsement" figuratively, this is not a new question in this community. That's the reason why I asked for clarification.
Do you know, do you need the "stamp of approval" from the M&Ms to travel abroad? According to some, to receive this you have to play a rigidly defined constructionist/traditionalist form of the Blues. You may also have to stand in line as there are many competing yearly at the IBCs for this "endorsement."
Or you can circumvent this whole procedure by buying into the M&Ms.
-
Permalink Reply by Sue Rarick on
-
To be honest Dave I don't pay attention to organizations. I call my music Americana only because I can't think of anything else to call it. A quick look at the live songs on my website pretty much explains that. I posted some live covers by JJ Cale, Dolly Parton, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones and Skip James.
As far as endorsements. What I meant was basically competing at the IBC. That gives the impression of tacit endorsement. And other countries would see that in a different light than we would.
© 2012 Created by Eric.
