BS, plain and simple, spalding, If you are naive enough to think that you can control what people say about YOUR music, boy are you in for a shock. If you are naive enough to think that, if you put it out there for people to see, they should, out of some weird kind of deference to your delicate feelings, never say a bad thing, I am not sure what planet you live on..!

Honestly, man, have you EVER put anything up for anyone to listen to? Did you honestly think that it was everybody's duty to say ONLY nice things about it? That is one pretty delicate ego if you did.

Children, yes... you encourage them. Grown ups? Well, 'grown up' seems to be somewhat lacking in this exchange. You want to be treated like a child? Inform us in advance...

The bottom line is this. One needs to look at the bigger picture. I always said: “You can do anything you want, but be aware of how you are affecting others with your actions.” You can’t live in a vacuum unaware and unconcerned that people from all stations of life are going to watch your video and come away with different reactions. That doesn’t really mean you have to accompany that video with explanatory comments, but it does mean you leave yourself open if others want to critique and use you an an example.

People like Tommy post these videos because it’s either promotional advertising for them or they are on an ego trip out to impress. I think Tommy falls into the latter. Now there’s nothing wrong with that, but if you’re on an ego trip and out to improve your self-worth and amaze your friends at the same time with your talent, then you also have a moral obligation to recognize and consider how many beginner musicians are going to watch this video and be affected by it. How many are going to think they’ll never get to that level when, in reality, that level was never really that high? Professional musicians who can see through these illusionary videos do a great service by pointing out the reality of those performances. As for hurting Tommy’s feeling…..it’s called collateral damage!

I get your point that he never “asked” for criticism, but....do you care more about poor Tommy’s emotional injuries, that he might be insulted (or dejected) over these remarks, or do you care more about the huge amount of people around the world that may be (musically) negatively affected and discouraged from pursuing their dreams when they see a video like this. In a way, it is nothing more than a con worked on people who don‘t know any better, particularly the great majority of new musicians working their way into the ranks.

To be fair to Tommy, I see him as a very nice person who just plain enjoys his music and, innocently, wanted to share it with others. Unfortunately, he became, in this thread, the poster child for the many videos we watch that are, shall I say, deceptive?

Further, there is someone in this group, who gets many compliments when he periodically posts a song. The playing is good, but I always wonder...is it typical of his playing OR did he simply work on this one song for weeks until he ironed out all the wrinkles? Is he another Tommy Johnson doing what he does well, but....that’s ALL he does...one song at a time until it's perfected? (no...it’s not Don M...he’s just plain good...no magic show there...he's the real thing!)

Mark

As anybody been to his website (Shown at the beginning of the video) to see what he is really about, if not, I suggest you do. (In case you missed it here is the direct link http://www.tommyjohnsonmusic.com/ )

Bill

Visit his website, read his bio. I know Tommy and he is NOT a "one trick pony".

He is a showman, artist, and gentleman.

C_K

I know him too and I agree.

Really Don, I didn't know that, I always thought people on SZ were honest, tell you straight to your PC what they think, warts and all, I try and say it as it is, always have, too late to change now

You guys need to get out more. First and foremost, Tommy Johnson didn't post anything here - his YouTube video was posted by Mike (Keybplayer). Be realistic - this guy is a great entertainer, a great player, and 99-percent of the guys that posted negatively about the YouTube video ONLY WISH they could play half as good. It's pretty damned easy to sit there pounding on the PC keys and post demeaning comments about someone you've never met, never seen perform a full, live performance, and yet, after you've seen one YouTube video there are now three pages of bullshit by the same, handful of individuals. If you're so damned good, post something of your own on YouTube and provide the Sythzone with links to these wonderful performances.

Sorry Nigel, but there are just some things that really tend to piss this old codger off. If you wish to ban me for the above comments I'll fully understand.

Gary

I don't know about others; but if we were taking a vote, I'd side with the logic and comments of Spalding and Travelin' Easy.

here...here...

Well said travlin’ easy, Spalding too.