Thursday, June 17, 2010

Florida Folk Festival, Photoshop, and Topaz Simplify

Combining one's passions is not a bad way to spend an hour or two... Passion #1 is music. Even though it's been almost three weeks since the Florida Folk Festival in White Springs I'm still basking in the afterglow of great performances, by both my own band and the dozens of other acts we had the chance to listen to. Passion #2 is photography. Guitar cases and camera gear can be a load to lug around, but well worth it. I'm always looking for creative ways to capture and present these talented folk, many of whom are largely unknown beyond the borders of the Sunshine State. Here are some of the still photo results, adapted in Photoshop using Topaz Simplify -- appropriate for acoustic music, I think...

The image above is an emerging Florida-based folk / Americana family band called Jubal's Kin. These kids are now touring the greater south -- and will be the next big thing American folk. Keep an eye out, better yet keep an ear out. Their new recording is available for download via iTunes...

This is Chuck Hardwick -- one of the icons of Florida Folk music. A great writer and performer, Chuck is the real deal. Want to know what it's like to be on a Florida cattle drive? With your guitar? On horseback? Ask for Chuck.

This last image is of Florida native, now Nashville-based country star, Billy Dean. Billy has been coming back to his roots at FFF for a number of years, sharing his songwriting tips and performing talent with the rest of us mere mortals. I can honestly say that Billy Dean once opened for me...

Speaking of Florida songwriting talent -- check out the new blog by my musical partner in crime -- my bandmate in the Ashley Gang, Al Scortino. Find the box to the right with Friends and Favorite links and click on "Renaissance Man" to follow Al's adventures from the depths of the economic recession to wherever it is that his musical pursuits lead him... sure to be a fun ride!

1 comment:

I am a lover of children's literature said...

Wow! I love what you can do with Topaz! Turning great photos into great drawings is, how do I put this? Great!