LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Old Songs, Inc. upon the occasion of
celebrating the 30th Anniversary of its Old Songs Festival of Tradi-
tional Music and Dance

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those organizations and individuals whose commitment and
creative talents have contributed to the entertainment and cultural
enrichment of the citizens of the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Old Songs, Inc. upon the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of its Old
Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance to be celebrated in June
of 2010; and
WHEREAS, Old Songs, Inc., a non-profit organization, was incorporated
in 1977, and its mission is to create awareness of and appreciation for
traditional music and dance; and
WHEREAS, The organization held its first Old Songs Festival of Tradi-
tional Music and Dance in Tawasentha Park in Guilderland, New York, in
June 1981; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of this wonderful event was to present a diverse
array of acoustic performers representing a broad scope of roots music
and dance; and
WHEREAS, Reid Northrup, manager at the time of the Altamont Fair-
grounds, invited Old Songs, Inc. to move its festival to the fair-
grounds, where it would have more room and could include camping for the
weekend; after great success in 1982, it has become the home for the
festival; and
WHEREAS, The first festival had a Friday night concert, a full day on
Saturday, ending with a concert at night; in 1982, Sunday was added to
the weekend events as well as patron camping; later, classes were
included on the schedule and held on Friday afternoon; and
WHEREAS, The festival attracts patrons from the Capital District, New
York, New England, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey; on average the
Festival's attendance has been 3500 to 4000 people each year; a
village-like atmosphere ensues as 35 artisans, 15 food vendors, and
various sales vendors assemble to complete the weekend; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to being a quality family event, with children
under 12 admitted free, the festival presents three main stage concerts,
and 120 close-up performances, participatory events and classes are held
on 10 daytime stages; the children's activity area and family stage
features wonderful performances for kids of all ages; and
WHEREAS, Throughout its distinguished history, the Old Songs Festival
of Traditional Music and Dance has preserved American musical heritage
by presenting professional performers in live performances of ballads,
blues, old-time music, Shape-Note singing, gospel, northern and southern
fiddle tunes, bluegrass, jug band music, Celtic music (i.e. Ireland and
Scotland), and musical influences from many places in the world such as
England, Spain, France, French Canada, Vietnam, Sweden, Norway, Russia,
China, Africa, Latin America and the Netherlands; and
WHEREAS, More than 400 volunteers keep the festival together, complet-
ing jobs, including ticket gates, grounds, performer hospitality, stage
managers, recycling, the children's activity area, crew food service,
information, sales and parking; and
WHEREAS, The success of the Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music
and Dance is in direct correlation to the efforts of its organizers and
volunteers, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by
an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising

standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the festival and
the population it serves; and
WHEREAS, The participatory nature of the music performed at the Old
Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance encourages everyone to
play music themselves on such instruments as fiddle, guitar, banjo,
dulcimer, concertina, mandolin, accordion, and pocket instruments like,
bones, jaw harp, harmonica, and penny whistle; it is through oral and
aural sharing and repetition of music that it is preserved for future
generations; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those
organizations of true purpose and worthy accomplishment which provide
opportunities to celebrate our rich ethnic flavor and strive to preserve
our cultural heritage; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Old Songs, Inc. upon the occasion of celebrating the 30th Anni-
versary of its Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music and Dance; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Old Songs, Inc.