FAR Chart and NotSXSW To Continue On After Passing of John Conquest

When the fiercely-independent, renegade music journalist and publisher John Conquest passed away on September 30th, it left the fate of numerous important institutions Conquest had both founded and operated up in the air. Conquest was a dogged champion of independent artists, as well as independent music journalism, and honesty in criticism. His 3rd Coast Music periodical was disseminated in newsletter form via PDF, and was seen as an invaluable asset to many of his subscribers, including numerous Americana and underground roots DJ’s, other journalists, labels, managers, and involved and influential music fans. It also ran ads for artists, independent labels, and small businesses associated with the music.

Two of John Conquest’s biggest efforts were the monthly FAR Chart (short for Freeform American Roots) published each month in 3rd Coast Music, and his NotSXSW events held as alternative, unsanctioned South by Southwest functions every March in Austin, TX. After Conquest’s death, the worry was these institutions would not be moving forward after years of being invaluable to the roots community.

However James “Jimmy” Samon Jr., who is the proprietor of Austin’s G&S Lounge where Conquest held his NotSXSW events, is attempting to step up to keep both NotSXSW and the FAR Chart going. Unfortunately the master list of the DJ’s who reported to the FAR Chart, as well as the subscriber list to 3rd Coast Music, was not saved or shared with Samon after Conquest’s death, and so he is trying to create a new list to keep the chart going. 

“All I could get is like 42, which is a pretty good start,” Samon says of the FAR Chart reporting DJ’s. “I don’t have his subscription list. I was going to send it out for free. I’m not looking for any money, I’m just trying to keep it going. I’m going to put it out in the memory of John Conquest. I’m just going to collect that data and post it in his name.”

Samon was able to publish a chart for November (see below), but it still only has a limited number of the original reporting DJ’s participating, and he doesn’t have all the email addresses of the 3rd Coast subscribers. So folks are being asked to reach out to Samon if they either want to report for the chart, or receive the chart at gsamon@austin.rr.com .

Though the FAR Chart was primarily made up of DJ’s, it wasn’t made up of actual radio spins of artists or songs. Rather, it worked off a points system. Reporting DJ’s would rate roots albums via points, and then those points would get aggregated into chart positions. James Samon plans to continue the chart using the same formula, and include reviews and other information submitted by DJ’s so it continues with the same feel as Conquest’s 3rd Coast Music.

“I’m thrilled the Freeform American Roots Chart is continuing,” says Brian Saunderson, host of the Hurtin’ for Real show on CFBX Radio in Kamloops, British Columbia. He’s been reporting on the chart since 2004. “John Conquest’s chart shone a light on good albums that deserved to be heard. Has for years. You’d see albums on the chart from independent acts, overlooked bands, stuff not played on commercial radio. John was an opinionated critic, an advocate for musicians, and a talented writer. I didn’t always agree with him, but I respected him. Thanks to Jimmy Samon for continuing the chart. It’s important.”

As for the NotSXSW event, Jimmy Samon is keeping that going at his G&S Lounge as well.

“It’s going to be Wednesday through Sunday like it was before. I’ve got most of the artists who’ve played before, but if I missed someone, they can email me. I’ve gotten 67 already,” he says. NotSXSW during some year was held at different locations, but the most recent other location aside from the G&S Lounge recently shut down.

Saving Country Music is planning to post the FAR Chart online for those not subscribed to the newsletter, at least until the subscriber base builds back up, and the reporting DJ’s are made aware of the new regime.

At the moment, the chart may look a little wonky due to the low reporting numbers (including the big tie for #13). The initials beside each entry are for the reporting DJ’s.

Open or Download 3rd Coast/FAR Chart #208 as PDF

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FREEFORM AMERICAN ROOTS #208

Real Music Played for Real People by Real DJ’s

November 2016

#1 NRBQ: High Noon, A 50-Year Retrospective *CH/*MG/*HO/*JJ

#2 Various: Life and Songs of Emmylou Harris *NS/*KM/*CVH

#3 Drive-By Truckers: American Band *YZ/*FS

#4 Lydia Loveless: Real *DF/*GM/*TS

#5 John Prine: For Better or Worse *MB/*MM

#6 Bill Kirchen & Austin DeLone: Transatlantica *DT/*LD

#7 Dale Watson & His Lonestars: Live at Big T’s Roadhouse *AS/*EH

#8 Jesse Dayton: The Revealer *PS/*BH

#9 Billy Bragg & Joe Henry: Shine a Light *PS

#10 Bob Weir: Blue Mountain *CBH

#11 Arty Hill: Live Church on Saturday Night *RH

#12 Aaron Lee Tasjan: Silver Tears *JB/*JBA

#13 Eric Brace & Peter Cooper: C&O Canal *FH

     Dennis Stroughmatt: One More Time *GS

     Chelle Rose: Blue Ridge Blood *RV

     Scott Southworth: The Last Honky Tonk in Town *RH

     Angie & the Deserters: You EP *GM

     Michael Cleveland: Fiddler’s Dream *JA

     Balsam Range: Mountain Voodoo *OO

     Terry Allen: Lubbock *PP

     Augie Myers: When You Used to Be Mine *TG

     Blue Rodeo: 1000 Arms *NW

     Tex Smith: Pink & Black *BB

     Douglas Greer: Baja Louisiana *MP

     Becky Warren: War Surplus *RC

     Wayne “The Train” Hancock: Slingin’ Rhythm *JF

     Courtney Granger: Beneath Still Waters *KC

     David Maloney: My Father’s Shoulders *JW

     J Shogren Shanghai’d: Why So Blue, Bird? *JM

     The Flat Five: It’s a World of Love & Hope *DF

     Chuck Cusimano: Broken Hearts and Honky Tonks *BP

     Margo Price: Midwest Farmer’s Daughter *BP

#14 Amanda Shires: My Piece of Land *HD*YI