Old-Time Herald Launches New Website Amid Pandemic Delays

If you're a subscriber to The Old-Time Herald -- and if you read this blog, you should be -- you may have been wondering where your magazine has been these last nine months. The quarterly magazine published it's last issue in January 2020. The next issue would have been the annual Festival & Camp Guide in March, but then the COVID-19 pandemic dashed those plans. 

Ad revenue dried up. Production came to a halt. In the meantime, however, the publication team redirected funds and efforts to revamp the OTH website. Unveiled this month, the new oldtimeherald.org has undergone a major makeover, replete with a new digital edition of the magazine, robust content and access to PDF downloads of past issues. 

Editor Sarah Bryan sent a message to current subscribers on Dec. 7 explaining the delay in printing and unveiling the revamped website. But most of all, she wanted to let readers know that the magazine is still in business. 

"When the pandemic struck early this year, we had just put out an issue, and had a new one almost ready for press," Bryan wrote. "However, soon the 2020 festivals and other in-person events and venues began to be canceled one after another, and we lost the revenue that we normally count on from advertising, which would have paid for printing that issue. As it became clear that it would be many months, in a best-case scenario, before in-person events would resume and our ad revenue would return to normal, we made the decision to redirect our efforts and funds. We delayed printing the new issue, and instead tackled the creation of our long-awaited new website and digital edition." 

The issue that was in production when the pandemic struck has become the debut edition for The Old-Time Herald's new online platform. Volume 15, Number 1 is available in its entirety online. Bryan explained that existing subscribers have access to the full website. 

"You can read all the features and reviews in the new issue, and can also download a PDF of the print edition," she said. "Subscribers also have access to PDF downloads of the last dozen issues, and there are another 36 issues available to everyone. And we’ll be adding more content all the time. The amount of great material that we have to share is both overwhelming and exciting. The OTH has been in print for 33 years, and in that time we have built up a matchless archive of back issues, articles, interviews, photos, and more. The floodgates have been opened, so please visit our website often! Most important, we will still be producing new issues of the magazine." 

When funds become available, Bryan added that The Old-Time Herald will be producing a print edition of the current issue. The plan is for them to continue publishing both in print and digital formats. 

Bryan added: "While the effects of the pandemic make our print schedule uncertain, we will keep you updated; and please be assured that we will honor all subscriptions in their entirety, whether you initially subscribed to the print edition, online, or to both."

Typically, the Old-Time Herald, which is a non-profit organization, conducts an end-of-year fundraising campaign. Bryan said that would be a little different this year. 

"Because for most of this year our most visible activity, the print edition, has been temporarily dormant, and subscribers have waited so long for the new issue, we've decided not to have our usual, full end-of-year fundraising campaign," she wrote. "You won’t be receiving the usual letter in the mail requesting donations. We do, however, very much hope that you will consider the Old-Time Herald in your end-of-year giving. Your donations will help the Old-Time Herald weather the pandemic -- which has been so devastating to musicians and musical communities, cultural organizations, and publications across the board -- and to use this time of global crisis as an opportunity to chart a new course forward." 

I encouraged to go explore the new website. It's leagues ahead of the old version, with wealth of content for banjo, fiddle and old-time music enthusiasts. On a personal note, I have two reviews in the current issue, which are now available to read. Check out my review of Thornton Spencer's final album Things Left Behind and Nora Brown's debut album Cinnamon Tree. 

You can subscribe to the print magazine or online-only at www.oldtimeherald.org/shop. If you are interested in contributing a donation to The Old-Time Herald, you can do so at www.oldtimeherald.org/donate.