As one involved with the music publishing business these last eight years, I am in awe of Steve Kaufman's uncanny ability to produce book after book of original musical concepts while maintaining a very active teaching/workshop/concert-/recording agenda. How does the only 3-time Winfield National Flatpicking Champion do it? The answer lies in the following interview granted from the road where Steve was off to Washington D.C., laptop in hand!
Stephen Rekas
Guitar Sessions® Editor
Guitar Sessions: Mel Bay Publications has been in business for more than 55 years. One would think that all the flatpicking ideas would have been addressed in that time. How do you keep coming up with fresh concepts, not only for single books but entire series?
Steve Kaufman: I guess that I have to start with the fact that I love what I do. I am often asked what I do in my spare time and I tell them, "Just what I'm doing [now]." I also listen to my customers. They sometimes give me ideas that pan out to be pretty good prospects. Also, I just sit and think about what is not there rather than what is.
That would depend on what your definition of "is" is.
A lot of material is out there, but not in the way my cliental can understand or relate to- so another idea is born from that as well.
Are you still traveling Thursday-Sunday 50 weeks/year? If so, how do you get any writing done?
I am traveling more than ever these days. Every available weekend is gone and the intercontinental trips are taking more time as well. As far as when do I write? It's always either on the plane or at the hotel. I never get a chance at home.... too many other priorities like family stuff. I work about 6-8 hours a day in my office laying out ads and brochures and recording the CDs that go along with the books. Right now I am in the middle of the 2003 Best of the Kamp Concert Series, Vol. 6 and should wrap it up by November. Then I'll move on to the 2004 series and I will be current. I have a few other recording projects in mind but they apparently will have to wait.
You've been very successful with your June instructional Kamps in Maryville, Tennessee. How long has this been goin' on?
This next year will be our 10th Anniversary and the biggest year yet thanks to all the students and the great sponsors with Mel Bay Publications being at the top of the list.
How many students showed up for Flatpicking Kamp last year and what kind of future do you project for the Kamp concept?
Last year (June 2004) we had 225 Flatpickers, 110 Mandoliners, 75 Bluegrass Banjoers, 60 Fingerpickers and about 18 Old Time Banjo Pickers.
Will you continue with the banjo, mandolin, and fingerstyle Kamps?
Sure thing! This year we are adding another week of flatpicking, fiddle, bass, and Dobro™ along with the other instruments. Here is the breakdown:
Week One: June 12-19, 2005
Flatpicking, Fingerpicking, Dobro™, Bass and Fiddle
Week Two: June 19-26, 2005
Flatpicking, Mandolin, Bluegrass and Old Time Banjo
How is the Palace Theater doing? Seems like a win/win situation for everyone with its mini-Radio City Music Hall format. Do you or the house manager still offer a vintage film followed by a musical act or has the format changed?
The Palace Theater continues to thrive. We had Richard and Julie Smith (Fingerstyle Champ and Cellist) start our fall season off with a great crowd and a bang. Our restaurant is now closed. The manager was a thief, liar and embezzler and we shut down the cafe. It is now available for lease but the Espresso Bar and the performance theater area are doing fine.
Beppe Gambetta offered a concert/workshop at Fazio's in Manchester, MO earlier this week and on my invitation, came out to the Mel Bay plant. If possible, you should have him play at the Palace. He's a very engaging performer and he adores old theaters.
Beppe has played the Palace twice now and does very well. We have him at Kamp and that helps build his east Tennessee crowd.
You've expanded your touring and teaching to include international travel. What countries have you visited recently and how is your music received in a country like Japan for example, which does not share Western musical traditions?
Thanks to great companies, my books, videos, CDs, DVDs et al are in place in the countries I travel to, so a fan base is already established. It's a thrill to be accepted so well in foreign lands. So far I've played in Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria, England, Ireland, Scotland and Japan. Probably 40 of the 50 US states and experienced some really nice tours in Canada.
I've been representing Mel Bay Publications at Winfield for the last two years and feel cheated in not hearing you there. What are the chances of your returning to perform at the Walnut Valley Festival?
I would love to come back at some point, but in the last four years I have touring the UK during that time, and my 2005 schedule is already pretty well in place.
With your busy teaching, performance and writing agenda, do you still find time to practice and develop new tunes for your own repertoire?
I play the guitar and mandolin quit a bit in my everyday work. New tunes take a while to really polish so I can feel comfortable performing them. I usually work out my new stuff in July and August when I am not on the road. I am in a rehab center recovering from the Acoustic Kamps (ha!).
In one of your early Mel Bay books I remember seeing a picture of your then young son asleep in your guitar case. Does he play the guitar or any other instrument?
Mark has struck his own identity and I am proud of him for that. He is a horn man, playing the trombone and tuba in school. He is in 6th grade and doing great.
Do you have any new albums or products on the horizon?
I did a new solo project this year with Red Rector.
Aside from music, do you find time for any other activities or hobbies?
I recently picked up a class-A motor home and the family is going out to state parks whenever possible. We were out six times last summer.
Thanks Steve! I'm glad to hear you make time to spend with your family.
My pleasure.
You can learn more about Steve Kaufman, the Kaufman Kamps and the Palace Theater through the following media:
tel: 1-800-Flatpik
http://www.Flatpik.com
http://www.palacetheater.com
Come to the Kamps: Voted the Gold Award for "Best Camps" 2002
Week One: June 12-19, 2005
Flatpicking, Fingerpicking, Dobro, Bass and Fiddle
Week Two: June 19-26, 2005
Flatpicking, Mandolin, Bluegrass and Old Time Banjo
Register on-line soon at www.flatpik.com or call 800-FLATPIK
Join Steve's email news list at www.flatpik.com
