The Blackswoods Festival, a three-day camping and concert rock festival, is set for this September 23-25, 2011 in Mercersburg, PA, and we’re talking with festival promoter Joe Kempler, of Like Water Management, to get his take on just what all goes into planning and promoting a concert festival.

Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons play all three nights at the Blackswoods Festival in Mercersburg, PA

Joe, thanks for taking some time to talk with Musichord! We’ll jump right into the questions:

1. So, what are the responsibilities of a promoter for a concert / festival – what is the job description?
Everything…from booking the bands to making sure there will be enough port-a-potties and drinking water. Organizing sound, lights, on-site logistics, promotional activities, t-shirts, transportation, food, lodging, on-site vendors…luckily I won’t have to perform. The Blackswoods Festival will be the first festival I’ve organized, so I don’t have any staff at this point. But the Festival’s main attraction, Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons (playing all three nights) has a strong and dedicated following of people who are willing to pitch in and help. There’s no way I could do this without them and the fine people at Cosmo Sex School Records, Jerry’s record label.

2. How did you get into this kind of work, what made you want to be a promoter?

At this point, it’s labor of love. I’ve been a lover of live music since my first Grateful Dead concert over 30 years ago. Music has meant so much in my life that it feels good to do what I can to keep bringing great music to more people. It’s really all about the music.

3. Can you tell our readers about the Blackswoods Festival? What’s the history of the festival, what bands will be there, and why will it be a great concert festival?

Last year was the first “official” Blackswoods Festival, although the Jackmormons have played this site before. The site is private property and we’re really a “private party.” The property is really beautiful, a terrific wooded lot with a stream running alongside. Several of the bands have a strong local following. Hexbelt is very big in the area and Cris Jacobs Band draws extremely well from the Baltimore area. The Jackmormons have a very strong and dedicated following in the area, as well. The things that make any festival great will make this festival incredible…namely the music and the people. Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons are in top form right now. They’ll have a new album (maybe a double album) coming out in a couple of months which will likely be the best work of Jerry Joseph’s already storied career. And Jackmormons fans are just about the best people you’d ever want to meet!

4. What kind of roadblocks or issues do you have to deal with to pull the festival together that people might not think about?

As a promoter, you have to rely on a lot of people to do their jobs timely and do them well in order for things to run smoothly. So far I feel I’ve been lucky in dealing with great people. Given the fact that this is my first festival, I’m sure that when September 23 arrives, I’ll be able to give you a better list!

5. Any good stories to tell about the job, what’s the craziest thing that you have had to deal with promoting this festival?
You have to come to Blackswoods to get the good stories! And there are always plenty of them!

Joe, hard at work organizing the Blackswoods Festival

6. What do people not know about organizing concert festivals that you would like them to know?
Organizing a festival takes a lot of energy, a lot of hard work and a sizable investment. My goal is to make sure that everyone who attends has a great time…fans, artists, vendors, everyone.

7. There seems to be a surge in concert festivals in recent years, as they have become more popular and more bands are even using them to fill out their tours. Can you tell us why that is?

A good festival is a music lover’s dream. The fans get to see many artists…some that they wouldn’t otherwise see. So in addition to seeing music they already know and love, they can get turned onto something new and different. The artists love it even more because a good festival will provide an opportunity for artists to hear each other (which is something they usually don’t get a chance to do) and to collaborate. All kinds of great musical collaborations have been born at festivals…and we expect the same thing at Blackswoods!

8. How difficult is it to get the bands you want for a festival when there seems to be a lot of competition nowadays?

I think I’m lucky to be working with Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons. Jerry’s reputation as an artist is such that lots of other artists really want to play with him. So we had no problem filling our bill with great music. In fact, we had several bands asking to play Blackswoods that we had to turn down.

9. Live Nation is the biggest concert promoter out there, and there is a consolidation within the industry (Live Nation purchasing House of Blues) – how does that affect what you do?

I don’t think Live Nation will ever affect what I’m trying to do. Live Nation is a huge, publicly-traded corporation. They are in the music business to make money – which is the legitimate goal of any corporation. I’m doing what I’m doing for one reason only…the music. I want everyone to see every artist at Blackswoods. That’s my goal.

Blackswoods Festival Lineup: The Blackswoods Festival features a great lineup of bands including: Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons, These United States, Cris Jacobs Band (of The Bridge), Hexbelt, Wally Ingram, Mookie Siegel, Southeast Engine, Bret Mosley & Kenny Liner, James ‘JPat’ Dalton and Craig Greenberg.