Hey, Everybody! The San Diego Troubadour Is About to Celebrate its 25th Anniversary and Publisher Liz Abbott Is Here to Tell you About the Upcoming Celebration and Fundraiser, Along with a Bit About its Storied History!

The upcoming celebration and fundraiser for the Troubadour is happening on Sunday, December 14th at Tio Leo’s Lounge from 4-10pm. (note the flier here for the full details of what should be the party of the year!) “It will be a celebration for all in our vibrant, wonderful music community,” Abbott emphasized. “It is also our annual fundraiser, which we hope will raise a lot of money to keep us going…things are getting way too expensive out there!” And now a look back at the Troubadour’s journey over the past quarter of a century. .

BEGINNINGS

Ellen & Lyle Duplessie, celebrating the publication of the very first issue of the San Diego Troubadour, September 2001. Photo by Liz Abbott.

“The publication concept started with two partners in 1999—Ellen and Lyle Duplessie—whose idea it was to start the Troubadour in the first place,” Abbott reflected back. “Ellen thought that the mainstream media wasn’t giving the local musicians enough attention and were overlooking the lesser-known genres like bluegrass and folk music. So, Ellen and Lyle would do the writing and I would do the design and editing with my husband Kent Johnson handling the deliveries and bookeeping.” Hence, the first publication hit the streets in September, 2001, just in time for the Adams Avenue Street Fair.

Ellen Duplessie initially decided on the content and got businesses on board for advertising in addition to recruiting staff writers, including Dwight Worden, Lou Curtiss, Jimmy “Diesel” White, Gus Williker, and Paul Abbott. “I’m not sure if we had any kind of structure or plan for our future,” Abbott remarked, “but the four of us decided we’d keep rolling out the Troubadour as long as it was still fun.”

In 2004, the unthinkable occurred when Ellen Duplessie died of breast cancer in January followed by the death of Lyle Duplessie from a sudden heart attack in June. “It was a huge loss for all of us as both memorial services were packed, which was a testament of how much they were loved and respected,” Abbott recounted.

Following the tragic events, Abbott convened a meeting at her house with all the writers and columnists to decide on which direction the Troubadour would take. “We decided to keep it going with a few changes along the way,” Abbott pointed out, “expanding our masthead to include Jazz and Blues.” By 2005 Abbott took over the reins with renewed vigor, with the Troubadour becoming the face of the local music and arts community.

THE CHANGING TIDES

Cofounders Kent Johnson & Liz Abbott at the annual Holiday Fundraiser, 2024. Photo by Dennis Andersen.

The advent of social media sites and online access for many changed the strategies for many small businesses. “Everything was running smoothly,” Abbott pointed out, “up until around 2020 when it was harder to get advertising as people used Facebook as an alternative advertising mode.” At that point their print advertising began to dwindle, and it became a more dire need to raise money. “Every single advertiser, except Folk Heritage dropped out,” Abbott said, “so I took a month off deciding on whether to continue on or not.”

Additionally, when Covid hit, everyone’s lives were affected, as Abbott recalls. “With so many live music events shut down, there was so little to publish in print, plus there were no venues open to deliver to, so we made the switch to online issues only.” Her decision to carry on has shown her dedication and passion for the journey she has tirelessly embraced. “We now hold fundraisers mid-year as well as the annual Christmas one and Go-Fund-Me’s as well. That being said, I’m still worried about the future in maintaining month to month financially.

FINAL WORDS FROM LIZ

“I want to continue on as long as I’m able. I’m still proud that we’re a mom and pop publication with no frills, along with so many excellent writers on board. I’ve been really lucky in being welcomed into the whole music and arts community and making such good friends. I love my job and am so proud of gaining the recognition we’ve so rightly deserved. We’ve won multiple awards including the Industry Award at the San Diego Music Awards in 2021 and first place at the San Diego Press Club in 2022. Today our brand name is well known!

Please join us for the San Diego Troubadour’s Annual Holiday Fundraiser and 25^th Anniversary Celebration! 25 years! That’s a lot of music, articles, scene building, and camaraderie right there. The Troubadour needs your help, especially this year. The rise in the cost of living is insane! You can donate to the cause here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=R2UMYAEB6QRTL&ssrt=1764013956405 We thank you!

Wayne Riker, a 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the San Diego Music Awards, has been a feature story and CD reviewer at the San Diego Troubadour since 2011.