*Sigh*

Ok, I'll make this as easy as possible for you Diki.


I'm asking for the reasons why (or more to the point, for Russ to ask himself the reasons why) he would, out of the blue, comment about how he wouldn't do the gig, and didn't like everything about it - from the music to the paricipants at said gig:

".....but I don't see why you had to go out of your way to comment about how you would turn down the job and express your dislike for the Music, the Dance style AND the PEOPLE(!) who do the dance."



A secondary point (and a minor disclaimer) beginning with:

"I realise threads have off-topic comments in them (I'm *ahem* guilty of posting those myself occasionally... )"

(the aforementioned Secondary Point)
"...I don't see why you have to remind us (again) that you "don't do Buffet" and whether you mean it or not, it comes across as you looking down on those of us who do."

Again, a heartfelt disclaimer:

"I'm not trying to start something here - it's a genuine observation"

Again the heart of the matter:

"...and I wonder if you've thought about the reasons why you post this particular opinion time and again."


and the heart of the matter explained more succintly in my next post:

"...what I'm getting at in a (hopefully) polite and genuinely curious way is WHY Russ felt he needed to comment at all in this thread (for example) as to what he would do with the gig in the first place."

A disclaimer:
"It's obviously not his bag as he said (and I'm fine with that - really)"

AGAIN the heart of the matter:

"it's just I guess I don't see why he needs to share that attitude in a thread that never called for it."

Also a justification for my post(s):

"I was also surprised he went on (when asked, to be fair) about how he not only didn't like the music/dance but even the people."


And a Final disclaimer:

"Maybe I'm going too "deep" for this thread...lol"

Dicki, to be picky, (Ha! That rhymes!) I never said we actualy did Buffett (Jimmy is a principally American Phenom, and if you walked up to the average person in Australia and asked them who he is, or to name a song, they would struggle to say the least - Margaritaville is the ONLY widely known hit he ever had here) but I know what you mean - Linedancing/Country/laid back stuff, which we play.

However - we DO play Rap/Techno/RnB and Top 40 gigs when it's required, and I seem to remember Russ covered his dislike for such gigs in previous threads (perhaps in a more blanket manner), but I believe in those posts it was entirely appropriate - in that, that was the discussion point of the thread.


So you see, the original poster in this thread could've asked for appropriate break music for ANY music (Rap or Techno if you like, Bolivian Folk music if you insist ) and I STILL would've been curious as to why Russ didn't want to play a Bolivian Folk Music gig, or why he didn't like the associated dance style (whatever THAT would be) or the people who dance it.

Here's my 2 cents and I can really appreciate where Russ is coming from. I give him credit for having the talent to be able to walk away and play what he wants.

Going back 37 years ago when I was a youngster I had my sights set high in music. At the time I was studying piano, but instead of gigging I was working as a bartender helping to pay my education. I wasn't where I wanted to be musically(never was either). I use to slam all the musicians who played the clubs/restaurants where I tended bar. Ah listen to the crap this guy is playing, Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree, Me and Mrs. Jones, Deliah, you get the picture. I swore I would never play that music ever. I just wanted to play classical and jazz forget that top 40 crap. Shortly after I quickly realized I didn't have the talent to be a the jazz or classical pianist I aspired to be. So I pretty much walked away from music, but continued to play at home, took a different direction on how to earn my keep.

Fast forward to about 4 years ago playing OMB and solo piano here and there. Guess whast I'm playing "all the crap" I swore I would never play. But I'm having some fun earning a few bucks in the process. As a rule I never turn down gigs unless I happen to be booked the same date and time. In retrospect I missed all those years where I could have been playing the music I play today and maybe have had more enjoyment in the process. C'est La Vie.

"Baby Like To Rock it Like a Boggie Woogie Choo Choo Train".....- Tractors

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-28-2009).]

Folks, it was probably not a good thing that I let my frustration surface about the music business in general.

By process of attitude and years in the field, I have become the jazz standard bearer around here. As you can imagine, there are lots more Line Dancing and Buffet jobs in Kentucky than the ones I specialize in, and, often, the money is better. The work I specialize in is harder to find, less rewarding; the audiences are smaller, and the music is much more challenging. I'm NEVER satisfied with my level of performance.

If I were an entertainer, I'd play the hell out of (YUK) Aky Breaky Heart or any of the other tunes previously mentioned. I don't do a good job of entertaining. I play none of the tunes mentioned here, and don't do jobs where those tunes are appropriate. I'd be run off the stage if I tried to play any of them.

To me, the integrity of the music is paramount. I don't look down on the people who choose to play widely popular tunes. That's what entertainers do.

At the same time, I just don't understand players who don't spend the time required to learn their instrument and make constant improvement during their lifetimes a primary goal.

Of course, the sad thing to me is, when you choose the serious jazz musician route, success is really a mixed bag. Often as you improve over the years, you'll eventually play yourself out of a job. That's why so many big-time jazzers were broke, addicted, alone, incarcerated and more. That's where the frustration factor comes in.

Thing is, I have found myself in a position where I CAN'T make myself play certain tunes. It would represent a major sell-out to me. The small bit of good news is, the people who share the love of jazz communicate on a level which is unparralleled. And, increasingly, that's what I need from the music business.

For me, anything else is just a sad waste of my time.

But, that's my problem, and it should have stayed that way. The public doesn't spend 18 hours a day living and breathing music. I do.
And, I did the thing jazzers mistakenly do all too often...blame the "unappreciative", "no-taste" public. This time, line dancers and two steppers, along with Buffet fans were the ones I took the shots at.

My momentary "rant" was in poor taste and certainly not meant as a slam on anyone here.
That particularly goes for Jim; one of my favorites here. I'm embarassed that I forgot that his recently posted work was a Buffet song.(Jim, the job here was 6:00 to 9:00 four nights a week-$150.00 a night. That's probably too much of a commute for you...800-10000 miles a week).

The frustration is real, way more prevalent than some think and something I've got to deal with.

Sorry for the momentary lapse in civility.
It's just that line dance music represents everything I don't like in the business. Like Hellboy (Greg) said, I should have just kept quiet. I've got to hand it to him. He made his point articulately, without any of the confrontational attitude that sometimes appears here.

I appreciate that....nice website, too! And BBBB, well written, rational response. I particularly liked the reference to learning the "Boot" song. Good luck with that!

Russ


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 05-28-2009).]

Brian, great choice of what/who to listen to, including Vince Gill and Allison Krauss.

Vince is a world-class studio quality musician. Allison is a close frend of my very good friend, J.D. Crowe, who is a Grammy winning 5 string player.

Before they recorded a TV show in about 1992, in Louisville, Allison, J.D. and Grisson (mandolin) had dinner at the club was playing three nights in a row. It was connected to the hotel where they were staying. We visited on all my extended breaks. What a sweet, level-headed young woman (actually, putting a calculator to things, she could be in her late 40's).

I suspect Vince Gill could play me under the table, playing MY Material. And Allison has the raw talent to play and sing any style or song at a world-class level.

I've found that superior players are comfortable enough to be delightful conversationalists and equally talented in other areas. Only the mediocre folks are the jerks.


I guess my attitude is, while I don't like Bluegrass or some other types of music, I appreciate raw talent and excellence in performance/technique. I admire and respect J.D., Vince and Allison. Not too familiar with the other guy, but will check him out.


Be well,


Russ



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 05-28-2009).]

Excellent posts Russ, and thank you for taking my post as intended!!

Also, what you said below:



is so true.

Cheers my man!

HB