Missouri Valley, Iowa (National Traditional Country
Music Assn.) - It's been a long known adage, "build it and they will come" emanating directly from the corn fields of Iowa. This popular adage also holds true with America's musical heritage, also holding it's own destiny in the corn fields of Iowa.
According to the president of the National Traditional Country Music Assn., a non-profit corporation created in 1976, "we knew a long time ago, thirty-one years to be exact, that America's traditional music would not survive the onslaught of the commercial music business. Therefore we started several projects in 1976, our bicentennial year, relative to this problem. One of those projects was the creation of "America's Old Time Country Music Hall of Fame." This honorarium bestowed at three levels of participation has grown far beyond our earliest imaginings. Each year we induct deserving individuals that have made significant contributions to what we call old-time country music. Each year, the list of celebrities participating grows, and this year is no exception. The Hall of Fame is located in another of our projects, began in 1976, the Pioneer Music Museum, devoted to the music of our settlers, out homesteaders, our pioneers. It now occupies two buildings in Anita, Iowa, in a most logical location, a small rural Iowa village. Another of our projects is the annual national old-time music festival, also in it's 31st year. The profits from this endeavor is what supports the other projects."
The festival Everhart is talking about takes place at the Harrison County Fairgrounds in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Last year well over 600 performers showed up to participate and further the aims and objectives of the parent association. It lasts seven days, and now utilizes ten sound stages to accomodate the many entertainers. Celebrities too, show up to recognize the work of the NTCMA, and accept their own laurels. Dates this year are Aug 28-Sept 3.
Everhart is working in other areas as well. "When we first started inviting talent buyers, festival promoters and producers, show directors to see and hear some of the extraordinary talent that comes to this event, we really didn't expect much of a turn out, however when they started showing up from such exotic companies as Silver Dollar City, a theme park in Branson, Missouri, and companies like Crackerbarrel and Wal-Mart, we knew what we had built was holding true to the adage, "build it and they will come." This year is no exception, we even have CIOFF representation from international sources coming to see and hear talent. Cha Ramsa from Katmandu, Nepal, one of the least likely places looking for American old-time music, has made it known to us that he will be at the festival this year, looking for talent to place on their annual Cultural Festival of Music."
Last year over 25 talent buyers of one sort or another showed up at Missouri Valley, Everhart expects this year to be no less. Among other activities that draw musicians and entertainers to this one-of-a-kind event is workshops on a massive scale, themed shows, old-time dances, a tipi village, free food, and camping facilities on the grounds.
