I have been the master of ceremony at bluegrass festivals for 7 years. Some of them include: Sterling Park Bluegrass Festival, Sterling CT, Whites Beach Bluegrass Festival, Brunswick, ME, Basin Bluegrass Festival, Brandon, VT, Jenny brook Bluegrass Festival, Weston, VT. I have also Emceed benefits and single day shows including the Caouette Scholarship Fund and Fall Jamborees in New England.

As leader of a local Bluegrass Band for 13 years, I have intimate knowledge of the coordination and timing required for a smooth flowing successful presentation of bands. Through my association with the Bluegrass Gospel Sing and Jam ministry for over 7 years, I have preached and interacted with crowds in hundreds of settings and feel completely at ease with an audience. As a salesman for 9 years in the printing field, I understand many of the basic elements of salesmanship including presentation, which I feel is an important part of the job of the Emcee. I was a customer service representative for 16 years including face to face communication and handling difficult negotiations with happy and overbearing customers. (Not that we have any of them at bluegrass festivals!)

My philosophy surrounding the job of master of ceremony at bluegrass events goes far beyond making noise until the band is ready to perform. The emcee has the opportunity to be the customer service voice of the festival. With a positive interaction begun at the start of the festival, the emcee can engage the trust of the crowd. This opens the door for the emcee to not only be the collection point for the disbursement of information, but to help to promote the bands, vendors, raffles and festival to sell more product, tickets, and merchandise. Vendors have reported to me that on shows that I have emceed, where they were mentioned, their sales were better than other shows. I have been complemented many times for being able to coordinate all these efforts while keeping the show on schedule and moving things along smoothly.

I enjoy working with a variety of promoters and sound engineers. I can easily translate their philosophy and procedures to the crowd, the bands, vendors and everyone else associated with the festival. Typically, I will get their ideas and direction before the festival begins and will make adjustments as directed as things change during the event. I am available for follow up after the festival to discuss any ideas to make the show go smoother next time.

I have been complemented on being well prepared. I carry a clipboard containing notes which I use as reference rather than continually read. These notes include information on the vendors which I gather before the show begins.  I gather band information either ahead of time or once I meet them (in the case of smaller local performers). I typically wear a trademark Hawaiian shirt or depending on the size and flavor of the event, I may dress in a sport coat for the evening show.  I feel the crowd deserves the emcee to look his best and also needs a way to find him easily when walking through the grounds. I always take the stage well dressed, rested and ready to work.

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