Scott-No one told her her website sucks, did they? Did anyone tell her to stop right now and give up music forever? Nope. Everyone's been encouraging with wishes of good luck, keep up the good work, looking forward to hearing more, etc.

If you're suggesting she did those typos on purpose or that a potential client might find them oddly appealing, I think you're waaay off base. (If Paula was marketing herself as a comedy act of some kind, that might work, but she isn't.) You'd never put up mistakes like that. How long have I known you? Ten years? Your attention to details is impressive and I'm surprised you're not stressing the importance and value of those qualities even on a website that's under construction.

I'm still not sure whether she's a professional (like her website says she is) or just a hobbyist who wants to have some fun and share her music.

No one attacked her or her website. A few guys who have made their living in music for a long time offered some suggestions and shared some concerns. The website issues are hers. She owns them. Any potential client who wanted to listen to her stuff and couldn't because of a browser issue needs to be at least alerted to this issue. Which they weren't until we spoke up and said something. So voila! She's already benefited from the SZ!

And neither did I ever accuse 'you', or 'anyone else' of saying her site sucks or for her to give up music either.
I merely shared my enthusiasm about her site's fun look and the impressive music demos which I would think especially appealing to the senior entertainment market.

I'm sure Paula appreciates you pointing out the errors, but I'd hardly rank those 2-3 typos as anything close to being "numerous". The point I was attempting to stress is, irregardless whether the misspelling were merely an oversight or not, because of the 'casual' folksy feel good humor of the site, including Paula's references to her being a "Yooper", and saying about her husband: "I tricked him into being my roadie", that those misspelled words aren't much of (if any) detriment at all, and I seriously doubt it will have any bearing on whether people decide to hire her as a 'music entertainer' or not.

Bill, did you ever finally get a chance to listen to her demos? I thought they were fun, entertaining and well done.

Hi Bill ,
You must lightin up I am sure you are a very sweet Guy being a great entainer and all, don't be to concerned about the web. page it really is small (potatoe's) i am happy with it and so what, I will still be able to live O.K if I don't get lots of jobs because of misspelling,as a matter of fact I already have all the gigs I need just by word of mouth but My audience will enjoy the web. page when they see it and that is all that matters, now settle down and just be who you are, and yes as Scott said I do appreciate the citing of those errors and will correct them cause I like to see every one here be one big happy family... take care guy and thanks so much ....Paula... If I do misspell a word please forgive me I aint a good speller

IMO Scott, you came across like she was being picked on or something and some of us were making a big deal out of a few minor mistakes. I count over a half a dozen spelling, grammar,typos on her home page. Its not the end of the world and she did say it was under construction.

I listened to all five of the song samples on her site. Its hard for me to evaluate her work without seeing her interact and reading her audience. Maybe her personality is such that the music is secondary to it, and her audiences are highly entertained. Maybe she's reserved on stage and let's her music do the talking.

Since you asked, I'd say the playing's ok...Its pretty clean sounding, and I heard nothing that made me cringe. Its not flashy. Combine that with sharp song selection, good audience interaction and she could kill. If she doesn't have those other elements in her act, I'd lower my expectations. You know as well as anybody that a lesser player with great interaction usually outranks a superior player with inferior interaction. Her playing won't set her apart, but her charm, humor and personality very well may.

Tying into some of your comments, I'm guessing that she's got a good sense of humor and isn't afraid to use it, which is a plus.

Paula-

I am sweet.

Probably not great.



Let me know if there's anything I can do for you...

Paula,

I really doubt this ever happening.

There are two kinds of people on SZ, those who are so perfect it is surreal and those who just live life and have fun. Some will just sit on the wall with a high powered rifle and take bits off you at 1000 yards, whilst others will kick the door in and blast the hell out of you with a scatter gun. Paula , don’t take them on, don’t reply to them , there is an old English saying that I think came from the USA, “DON’T SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER HE IS TRYING HIS BEST” and I think that fits.

You are perhaps by now thinking you wish you had never posted the link to your site and perhaps you shouldn’t share your works or your music we these people, perhaps you should take look at their websites and see if you can pick up any tips, perhaps you have already done this and decided that boring is not what you wanted on your site. I am sure you are not the kind of person to go marking their sites out of 100 and then post the result in public.

This post is going to end up locked off, I can see it coming.

There could be two SZ sites SZP and SZA, professional and amateur, Paula you could join me in the SZA site and we could just have fun, we are never going to perform in front of the President, I know my place in life, do they know theirs.

Don’t forget THE END OF THE WORLD
Tony

And finally, since I have written many web pages which were technically very professional, if you are selling yourself and your services to the public on your website it should be no more than two pages, one page would be perfect. I have taken a look at the other two sites and frankly ................... what can’t speak can’t lie, they have more pages than the script from “THE SOUND OF MUSIC”. Some of the data is 3 years out of date.

Stop hitting folks with a baseball bat, they are simply trying their best and are in a learning curve. We can’t all be so perfect. Go and take a look at a proper professional website somewhere else and then tweak yours and remove the deadwood whilst you are there!

Awesome, Tony...

Way to create a fuss where none exists.

Let's review...

A member posted a link to a new website, which appears to exist, at least in part to stir up some business. A few of us had some difficulty with the demos, which has now been addressed and we also noticed some issues with the writing. We shared those thoughts. We also encouraged her.

I don't know of anyone who's perfect or claiming to be so on this site, do you? Nobody blasted her. Not whatsoever. Some suggestions were made. If you didn't like the suggestions, too bad. People were polite and I repeat, encouraging.

Paula's going to be fine. She plays well, has some spunk and obviously has fun. That's all you need.

Its this kind of behavior that drags the SZ down. Fabricated drama. The purpose of which is unknown to me. If we stroke every person, especially the newer ones who come around here, are we really helping them? Are we really sharing our knowledge and experience for their benefit? I say no. If we say everybody's "great," then nobody is. Paula the person was praised, encouraged and congratulated on her website. The website was also praised but also had a few issues pointed out. Your description of SZ-ers attacking her is uncalled for. Its grandstanding and self-indulgent. It does Paula nor anyone else any good at all.

------------------------
Paula- I wanted to add that quality of your recordings is very good. It sounds terrific. How did you do that?

Bill,

How the hell Nigel puts up with this is beyond me, I have no more to add to this but I am glad you think it was Awesome synonymous( splendid), I was right Bill about SZ it scare the hell out of some people who go away and never come back, they just look and LOL, look at numbers.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water!

No more comments from me one this one, I’m out of here.

Oh well The end of the drama?????? funny funny
a special thanks for Tony Hughes... I am not sorry I posted the web.site I love it,and I am so lucky to have the great T4 to play, because with having very little talent, it allowes me to entertain a group, it makes them happy and because of the T4, I can sound like a million,and I get paid for having all that fun,oh and by the way I also have high regards for the Korg Pa800 as well. Tony I will record your song some time this week should I post it on the SZ? I think I will that will get the ball a rollin again.. ha have a great day all, and bless each and every one of you..
LIFE IS GREAT....Paula