Strung Out Episode 63 How Farmer Doug Seyb still raises music

Send us Fan MailThe southeastern corner of Iowa is home to Lee County.  There, a little town called Donnellson has one water-tower, some shops, a nice city park and the distinction of having its first organized music scene created by one live-music-loving farmer by the name of Doug Seyb.  For 15 years, Doug ran the quasi-house-concert-meets-Grange-meeting-meets-Austin City Limits "Under The Water Tower" series.  It was a series that presented live, independent musicians, offering their own originals and pretty much nothing else, to a populace that hungered for community through music.   A "whos-who" of regional, local, national and international artists, all independent and all featuring their own original music visited "Under the Water Tower."   It was never a money-maker, but a community sustainer.  It was, truthfully, what real music should be all about. All was well with this small, well attended temple of independent music.  That was, until the music licensing agency of ASCAP asked Doug for money to support the very musicians Seyb was supporting.  What amounted were thinly veiled (and not so thinly veiled) threats of lawsuits by ASCAP representatives for their "licensing fee"  in order for Doug to continue the  public gathering at Under the Water Tower.  The result?  Seyb ended the series.  ASCAP did not get their money they maintained was being used to support the artists featured at the venue.  Those artists the agency was supposedly supporting lost a venue and desperately needed funds for their survival. And the folks of Lee County lost community and joy through music.  Sadly, this has been part of an ongoing campaign by licensing agencies that have successfully driven live music out of small, rural and for all intents and purposes, non-profit venues.  Mom and Pop restaurants and coffee houses lost out.  Nobody won. Independent artists are now turning to house concerts and other under-the-radar opportunities to survive. Music promoters like Seyb are a treasure of the live, independent musical performers and their audiences. Doug, a farmer by trade has continued to support live, independent music in Lee County through other less-traditional opportunities.  He offers advice to those wishing to create house concerts and other means of keeping live, original, rural, regional music alive and kicking.   The Farmer still raises music.  Support the showWe are always grateful to have you listening to STRUNG OUT.    Here are some important links:SUPPORT THE SHOW:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MartyfineaKMARTIN'S WEBSITE:http://www.MARTINMcCORMACK.COM  (note---you can get my weekly bulletin when you sign up on the list!)MARTIN'S MUSIC: Music | Martin Laurence McCormack (bandcamp.com)Martin McCormack | SpotifyMARTIN'S YOUTUBE CHANNELMartin McCormack - YouTubeFACEBOOKFacebook...