Focus on France in International Country Music Conference in Nashville, May 2011

[December 2010]

Dear Friend of ICMC,

We are pleased to announce another internationally focused presentation to accompany Payman Rezwan’s 'Country comes to town: the relevance of New Country in (Central) Europe'. Mr Zachary Fulbright of the Graduate Center of the City University of New York will be presenting on 'Country Music in France'. Fulbright indicates that

Prior to the 1980s, country music in France was marginal. Beginning with small regional music festivals, attracting only a few dozen people, the past two decades have seen an unprecedented national increase in country music’s popularity. Today, the average summer yields over forty festivals nationwide with the largest, the Country Rendez-Vous in Craponne sur Arzon in Haute Loire, drawing over 30,000 people. The sudden growth of country music in French radio, television, periodicals, festivals and concerts may lead us to ask what the music is saying that appeals to the French.

The next ICMC e-blurb will inform ICMC friends of another internationally focused presentation in an intriguing troika that concludes ICMC 2011.

Pickers - don’t forget that Nate Gibson (e-mail) will be serving as ICMC Picking Coordinator. He will be sending e-mail to previous picking participants, but you might want to let him know of your interest to make certain that you’re in the ‘Picking Loop'.

The Holiday Inn Vanderbilt is again serving as the official ICMC hotel of choice with a GREAT $99 single through quad rate available from Wednesday May 2011 through departure Sunday 29 May. If you make reservations over the phone (615.327.4707), please be certain to mention the three-letter ICM code. You may also register online here. A block of 15 rooms has been set aside. Reservations received after Sunday, April 24, 2011 will be provided on the basis of space availability. The Holiday Inn shuttle may be used to and from the Gordon E. Inman Center at Belmont University in which the Frist Lecture Hall is located.

We are also pleased to make available two other lodging opportunities: the Scarritt Bennett Retreat and Conference Center. Please mention code ICMC2011 when booking (615.340.7500, 866.420.5486, e-mail) to receive the $40 Standard Room or the $55 Upgraded Room with television and high speed internet. In addition, Belmont University dorm rooms are available at the rate of $34.30 per night rate for ICMC 2011. Linens are available for an additional $15 charge. Please contact ICMC Co-Chair Don Cusic (e-mail) if you are interested in Belmont dorm lodging.

Registration for ICMC is $125 and includes substantial luncheon and breakfast fare as well as well as finger foods at evening functions. Please make your check payable to ICMC and send to James Akenson no later than Friday 20 May 2011. You may wish to use the PDF form.

Should you no longer wish to receive information from the International Country Music Conference please reply and your request will be honored.

James Akenson and Don Cusic, ICMC Co Chairs