TransVocalizers: Interview with Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson

Interview with Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson
Organizer of the LGBTMusicfestival in Nashville, TN

This is going to be a slightly different column than what we normally post in TransVocalizers. Michelle Rocking Horse Garcia, who is normally featured in our companion Perpetual Change column, brought it to my attention that a LGBT Music Festival has been organized for the community in Nashville, Tennessee. Garcia is also one the artists scheduled to perform.  The dates for the  festival are Jan. 31st through Feb. 2nd. Because of that time frame, this is the only opportunity we have to promote the festival in TGForum.

The event organizer is Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson. He has an extensive background in the Indie music world, presenting various music festivals as well as teaching seminars. His website gives a very comprehensive view of his areas of involvement.  He is already involved with the Gay Straight Music Alliance  as well as the Indie Music Association. He has also organized songwriting festivals and seminars for independent songwriters. He has graciously agreed to an interview with TGForum in order to help promote the upcoming LGBTMusicFest in Nashville.

TGForum: You’re extremely involved with Indie music and organizing various festivals and events around the country. First off, how long have you been doing this?

Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson: Held the first event in June 2003 at Loreeta Lynn’s ranch. The SongWriters Festival is now in it’s 11th year on Music Row. In 2009, I startted the Independent Music Fest/Nashville, and this year, to help spotlight some of my friends who are LGBT, I decided to do the LGBT Music Fest/Nashville in 2013.

TGF: What is your background in the music industry?

CPR: Always been a songwriter first, with various minor cuts and credits. No number ones yet, but I have been laying back promoting myself to helping others through the events. I came to Nashville in 1990, then got into producing the festivals. I’m now starting to get back to promoting myself soon.

TGF: Given everything that you’re involved in, what prompted you to undertake the LGBT music festival?

CPR: I have some friends who are part of the GLBT movement and I was trying to create a way to spotlight and help them as well as others.

TGF: What type of reaction/response have you gotten so far?

CPR: It’s been a mixed bag. The community is slowly catching on. It may take two or three years to build a base. There is a need and a demand. Once I get them to realize that we are an open book and it’s really their fest to do as they please. We’re not so much a business, or designed to be a money maker.

(The reaction …) not so good from my straight database. I’m taking the risk of committing music suicide with the homophobes. Don’t think Nashville Country, (although we’re all genres) can accept two guys in cowboy hats kissing. They are still getting over the movie Broke Back Mountain and Chely Wright coming out. It’s a risk I take, but if you knew me you’d understand that I don’t go by common acceptance. It would drive you crazy in this business trying to get and keep everybody liking you. So let the cards fall where they may. I truly believe that LGBT Rights are the next civil rights issue of our life times. I think it’s important to have straights come out also and say, “It’s okay with me.” Having supportive straights out front, I think, is also necessary to help promote the cause.

TGF: Do you have a target audience for the festival?

CPR: No, we are open to all forms of music and how other may express themselves. I think we may do better if we were just a gay fest or a lesbian fest or something more specific to draw specific audiences, but right now it’s more about making a statement to the established music industry.

TGF: Is this open to solo artists as well as bands?

CPR: Yes. Solo artists welcome. Bands are mostly on Thursday evening and Saturday evening. It’s more about the music and the artist. Any and all genres welcome? Yes.

TGF: I understand that the festival will use more than one venue?

CPR: No, I had to shrink the event down to one venue, which is the Music Row Best Western for now. It we grow, we can add more stages, but for now we have just the one.

TGF: Why Nashville for your first venture into this market?

CPR: Well, I’m based out of Nashville for starters, so I know I can hunkerdown and get it done with my local resources. Also, I just wanted to put Nashville on notice that LGBT is here in their face. The main thing is to launch and have the first one so I want to make sure fwe have it and it is a success just by hosting the event.

TGF: Where can one go for a list of performers?

CPR: The schedule is online.

TGF: It there a cost to attend?

CPR: to attend, just become a member, volunteer, or trade services. Membership levels are left up to the attendees. They start at $10.

TGF: How do you select the artists who will be performing?

CPR: No selection process. We work with (everyone) from the novice to the professional. We’re all about the different levels in the biz, and need each other. We are all works in progress.

TGF: Would you make this an annual event, providing it’s succcessful?

CPR: Successful or not, we will annualize it. Success is a state of mind. Some people think how many people attended is a success. Others, it’s how much money or spo9nsors you have. With me, success will be just hosting it. Whether there are 5 or 500 attendees. Next year, no one will know how many were there except that you had the event, then it will be our 2nd Annual, and so on… Like the other event we hots, it’s just a matter of getting started and staying power. We’re streamlined and set up to survive.

TGF: In closing, anything else you’d like to say?

CPR: Someone told me that I was in my comfort zone, and if so I should get out of it to experience real life and success, however that is measured. So I did and decided to have a LGBT Music Fest in Nashville, Tennessee. I don’t mind running point or taking heat in the pursuit of music. There are also many forms of people as there are music. No one form should be eliminated from the mix or other music be allowed to drown out the few.

For further information, please contact Cornelius “Popcorn” Robertson, 615-424-1491, or email to [email protected], or visit the festival website.

ALSO THIS MONTH

Coco Peru

Coco Peru

Miss Coco Peru will be returning to ReBar in Seattle on February 1st and 2nd, 8 p.m., with her new show She’s Got Balls. Tickets for these shows are available online. This show will also be in Los Angeles at the Renberg Theatre, at the L.A. LGBT Center on February 7th through the 10th. The Center’s web site is: www.laglcculturalarts.eventbrite.com. Also, check out Coco’s website.

Storm Miguel Florez

Storm Florez, an artist featured in our Perpetual Change column, has announced some upcoming gigs: February 9, Yale University, New Haven, CT (for information, www.ivyq.com); February 23rd, Portland, OR, at the Mount Taber Theatre, 4811 S.E. Hawthrone Blvd, (8 p.m./, $10). This is a CD release party for Project Believe In Me. Along with Florez, other artists performing are Kimya Dawson, Tyler Matl, Eli Conley, and The Cabin Project.

Tags: featured, music, Musician, news

Category: Music, Transgender Body & Soul