David Court aka Free Range Minstrel
1. What is it that you do? I am a roaming one man band
2. Where are you located? Athens, GA
3. What got you interested in starting out in this business? I love music and I’ve been going to Renaissance Faires for many years.
4. When did you start performing? In general or at renaissance fests? 2013 in general; Ren fests in 2021 with the Lavonia Renaissance Festival.
5. What was your local faire or home faire? Lavonia Renaissance Festival
6. How are you compensating for this strange time we are in now? I started doing online shows during the COVID pandemic and I’m still doing them.
7. What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this business? Or how to stay in this business? Just be yourself and play to your strengths. Figure out which type(s) of music appeal to you the most, and which you are best at. You can play others, but they won’t necessarily be your bread-and-butter.
8. How do you handle thefts or copying of your works? It has not been a problem so far.
9. Are you doing any online sales or virtual performances? Yes. I sell my music on Bandcamp and I live stream on Twitch.
10. Why Renaissance Faires or theme? What is it that made you so interested in this period? I started with the recorder and was really drawn to early music…which of course led to Renaissance Faires. And, they are so cool, I still love playing at them even when I’m not playing the recorder.
11. Describe your first experience with us or your best experience (could be worst experience if you want to share that) I found you on Facebook and I’ve enjoyed the content.
12. In five years (or less) my goal is to: _to play more Renaissance Festivals throughout the year
13. At faire, what was your garb/attire your usual go to? I have a full Renaissance outfit including Renaissance-style boots and a Cavalier-style hat.
14.What makes your act/wares unique or different? I am a strolling minstrel, which is highly unusual for a dulcimer player.
16.What was your very first experience at a renaissance festival? What education or training if any do you have that led to what you do? I started out as a patron, paying attention to the other performers. I learned a lot from them and have been able to incorporate what I’ve learned into my own performance.
17.What would you say to a new person looking to try out or vending? Go for it if you enjoy it. Don’t do it just for the money.
18. What is your go to for food at faire? Turkey leg.
19. What’s your idea for the future of faires? We need more of them! So many people do not have easy access to a Renaissance Faire experience!
20. Plug your website or fan page here (or both)
https://www.twitch.tv/free_range_minstrel
https://freerangeminstrel.bandcamp.com/
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Author’s Note: Thanks so much to David for letting us interview him for the blog! We are not accepting more interviews at this time as we got many requests in and responses! Happy Easter/Spring/Passover/Equinox or whatever it is you celebrate and make sure you get out there to one Renaissance Festival this season and take lots of photos!
