Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, Kansas
September 17—21, 2008

COMING HOME — A WINFIELD CELEBRATION

A Brief History of the CD
Part Two

I find it highly ironic that I am the producer of this album, "Coming Home: a Winfield Celebration." The last time I saw Brian was last year on Saturday night. I was on Stage One waiting for John and Tom to finish their sound check. Brian was sitting backstage heckling me. He had caught wind of an idea that some friends had come up with. I should make a gag cassette with a nice j-card design with me on the front and title it, "Linda, Live at Winfield." Inside the cassette case would be a blank tape. Brian had heard about it and thought it was hilarious. I remember him yelling, "Hey Linda! I hear you're gonna have an album next year!" So I find it ironic that, indeed, here I am with an album this year. Because of him.

Last winter, Steve Kaufman told me, "This CD will happen because it must." He was right. I didn't choose this project. It chose me. Although I coordinated, it didn't come from me, but through me and a whole lot of people. It was a lot of effort, but it wasn't difficult. I was surrounded by individuals who knew what I needed to do and when, and were there when I needed them.

When I thought of the idea in November, I contacted John and Tom to find their interest in such a project. Both agreed that it would be a good idea. I asked the Winfield-l (the "l") for ideas on performers and asked to tap their ideas, talents and help. I continued contacting performers, and within two weeks 15 musicians had agreed to be part of the album. I also knew I needed start-up money to get things started. Jay and Terry Dell, members of the "l", picked up the ball and collected nearly $2,000 for me to to get things started. That money was used to open an account at a the First National Bank of Winfield to help pay for production costs.

Byron Berline suggested to me that I try to make it a "live" album by using recordings from earlier years at the festival. So, in January I trooped down and met with Greg Smyer to try and pick out suitable tunes. Before long, he and I agreed that it wasn't feasible. So, I contacted the entertainers and asked that they send a piece of pre-released material of their own choice. By mid-February I had received almost all the tunes for the album.

While waiting for the musician's selections to arrive, I asked the "l" for pictures of each entertainer who is on the album. Each photo is of the entertainer on stage at the festival. I gave them to Stan Rood, an artist and former member of Bluestem, to start working on the layout of the lyric booklet. Steve Kaufman and Elkin Thomas helped me create a suitable contract for the entertainers. By this time, several musicians had heard of the CD project and asked to be participants. But with 15 tracks on the CD already, I felt it was long enough and turned them down.

In April, I met with the board of CrossCurrents, Culture Unlimited who agreed to take me under their not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) status freeing me from having to pay income tax next year. At this time, I began contract negotiations with Sugar Hill, Rounder, and Gadfly records to release their royalties of their sound recording rights to the fund. Stan finished the artwork for the cover. It was the most beautiful piece of art I'd ever seen!

In May, I gave Don Shorock, another "l" member, a copy of the album design and a brief statement of the purpose and history of the album. He created this website containing information about the CD. It was used to encourage advance sales for extra start-up money. It contained an order form to be downloaded and mailed in. At the Santa Fe Trails Festival, I asked Stephen Bennett of his interest in participating in the project in case one of the musicians dropped out. He looked at me and said, "Linda, I've just written a song called 'Winfield' on the harp guitar." I immediately replied, "I think I need to add another track!" So then Stephen and Bill Barwick were added for a total of 17 performers.

June, July and August found Leo Eilts, of Spontaneous Combustion, and his work partner, Chris Crabtree, working on sequencing and re-mastering the album. Stan and I were working to finish the text and art work. Steve Kaufman referred me to Oasis CD and Cassette Duplication for manufacturing of the discs and cassettes. I contacted Micah Solomon, the president of Oasis, who enthusiastically embraced the project and gave me a nice discount. Jay Dell referred me to Bill Lavery, owner of Village Records for distribution. Bill offered to take the money collected for shipping and do the distribution at no added charge. This is a man who's never even been to the festival (although he's a member of the "l" now!). I also began dabbling in promotion of the album and lining up interviews. Mostly, though, I was pacing and fretting around my house as I saw the festival date coming way too fast. With the distribution of the summer Walnut Valley Occasional, advance sales shot up to an additional $3,000. And now, as I write this, I'm anxiously waiting the arrival of 1,000+ CDs and cassettes next week.

When I began this project, I envisioned it to be a collaborative effort of the entire Walnut Valley Festival Community, and to be a representation of the various kinds of music at the festival. Both were accomplished. I love this album. If someone were to ask, "What is Winfield?" the only reply needed is to give that person the CD. It has it all: bluegrass, folk, gospel, western, old time, swing, a capella, guitar instrumental, traditional and original material. It is a very well rounded and joyful product.

So, here is our gift to the Redford family. For all the love that you have given us for the last 27 years, here is your Walnut Valley Festival Family to stand together and say "Thank you!"

Here's to you, Stud! We did it!!!

With Love,

August 25, 1998

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