Why no Hype for the young Brothers?

[beggar98]

That's no reason to take away any thing from Morgan and Burbridge

It is if its about selling magazines. Its a sad fact of the music business that Nikki Sixx on the cover will sell more magazines than Oteil.

Do you have at least 5 issues of BP mag? If so count how many black bass players are featured in each issue compared to none black bass players.

I have five BPs, listed below:

September 2008- Chris Wood on the cover, Robert Deleo and Wayman Tisdale featured, Stephen Bruner, Vivi Rama and Todd Sickafoose in BassNotes (one page). So, 6 players total- three white men, two black men, one Argentinean woman. Featured music was one Tommy Shannon line and a look at a couple of AJ's lines with the O'Jays.

June 2007- Mickey Madden and Mike Elizondo on the cover, "Studio Wisdom" feature, studio tips from Marcus, Me'shell, Steve Rodby, Lee Alexander, Randy Jackson, Larry Klein and Mark Hoppus. One page features on Eric Judy, Dr. Das, The Shins and Avishai Cohen. Eight white men, three black men, one black woman. Featured music from Rush and Will Lee.

March 2008- Cachao on the cover, Steve Bailey and Miroslav Vitous features. One page on Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, dUg Pinnick and Gerald Veasley. Three white guys, two black guys and a Cuban legend. Music from Nirvana and The Commodores.

December 2008- Anthony Jackson cover, features on Yiorgos Fakanas and Alex Webster. One page on Bruno Raberg, Les Claypool, Grant Brandell and Anthony Wellington. 5 white guys, 2 black guys. Music from David Bowie.

February 2009- Rocco cover, gear features. One page on Anthony Gordon, Jesse Landry, Edgar Meyer. Music from Miles Davis and Led Zeppelin.

So, my math breaks down like this:

Covers- 60% white, 20% black, 20% Cuban legend.
Features- 70% white, 30% black.
1-page- 64% white, 29% black, 7% Argentinean
Music- 66% white, 34% black.

So it looks like Jauqo's 15-1 ratio is a little exaggerated, but there is a clear majority of covers, features, blurbs and transcriptions/analyses given to white players. In order to know if this is fair or not we would need to know the distribution of race across all bass players, which is fairly impossible.

As a side note, it struck me that there was only one metal bass player in these 5 issues (Alex Webster). Maybe that's why I kept these particular issues, but I always felt BP gave too much print to metal guys. Could I have been mistaken?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

It is if its about selling magazines. Its a sad fact of the music business that Nikki Sixx on the cover will sell more magazines than Oteil.




I have five BPs, listed below:

September 2008- Chris Wood on the cover, Robert Deleo and Wayman Tisdale featured, Stephen Bruner, Vivi Rama and Todd Sickafoose in BassNotes (one page). So, 6 players total- three white men, two black men, one Argentinean woman. Featured music was one Tommy Shannon line and a look at a couple of AJ's lines with the O'Jays.

June 2007- Mickey Madden and Mike Elizondo on the cover, "Studio Wisdom" feature, studio tips from Marcus, Me'shell, Steve Rodby, Lee Alexander, Randy Jackson, Larry Klein and Mark Hoppus. One page features on Eric Judy, Dr. Das, The Shins and Avishai Cohen. Eight white men, three black men, one black woman. Featured music from Rush and Will Lee.

March 2008- Cachao on the cover, Steve Bailey and Miroslav Vitous features. One page on Roy Mitchell-Cardenas, dUg Pinnick and Gerald Veasley. Three white guys, two black guys and a Cuban legend. Music from Nirvana and The Commodores.

December 2008- Anthony Jackson cover, features on Yiorgos Fakanas and Alex Webster. One page on Bruno Raberg, Les Claypool, Grant Brandell and Anthony Wellington. 5 white guys, 2 black guys. Music from David Bowie.

February 2009- Rocco cover, gear features. One page on Anthony Gordon, Jesse Landry, Edgar Meyer. Music from Miles Davis and Led Zeppelin.

So, my math breaks down like this:

Covers- 60% white, 20% black, 20% Cuban legend.
Features- 70% white, 30% black.
1-page- 64% white, 29% black, 7% Argentinean
Music- 66% white, 34% black.

So it looks like Jauqo's 15-1 ratio is a little exaggerated, but there is a clear majority of covers, features, blurbs and transcriptions/analyses given to white players. In order to know if this is fair or not we would need to know the distribution of race across all bass players, which is fairly impossible.

As a side note, it struck me that there was only one metal bass player in these 5 issues (Alex Webster). Maybe that's why I kept these particular issues, but I always felt BP gave too much print to metal guys. Could I have been mistaken?

I have probably missed fewer than ten issues of BP since 1989, and I think the ratio you demonstrated is pretty consistent. Black bassists have a minority presence, but it is far from token. As with anything, BP could be better. In terms of young Black players, BP should look harder at the Gospel scene then it currently does, but overall, I think BP has done well for a mainstream oriented magazine.

 

[T-MOST]

I think there a few things going on here. Narud made a good point about many young Black players getting gigs that are much more groove or dance oriented, a vibe that does not lend itself to lots of extended solos. We also need to understand that, like many times in American history, music has developed into two camps that do not always connect to each other. Obviously, Gospel Chops is a point of contact between young jazz players and church musicians, but it is the exception, not the rule. Other than Gospel Chops, it seems that many young Black musicians stay on the church, r&b, and rap circuit, not making an impact on the Jazz scene.

The bottom line is young Black bassists are getting known, but mainly among other young Black players. What is also happening now parallels what happened in the 1950s and 1960s; hip White players are checking out the Gospel scene the same way hip white players checked out the blues and jazz scene back in the day. The main difference today is that society is not segregated so although it may not be common, it is posssible for younger players like Oteil, Victor, and Matt Garrison, to catch the way they did when they were young phenoms.

So again, it's not popular until the white folks start doing it.

 

[steamthief]

So again, it's not popular until the white folks start doing it.

Correction: it's not popular until enough white people start doing it for corporations to make money off of it.

 

[smeet]

Give me a break. I'm not white or black, but... Companies (like BP) don't give a crap what anybody's race is. If they can make more money by featuring somebody, they feature them. Period.

Also, of course black players are in the minority in BP. They are a minority in the general population too. I'm sure some people (some editors among them) would rather feature white players, and some would probably rather feature black players. Just as some would rather feature a female player.

If you know a great player of whatever race, age, or genre that is being overlooked, let everybody (on TB, at BP, wherever) know about them, and some of us will look them up and learn.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

So again, it's not popular until the white folks start doing it.

There is alot of truth in that, but influences do go both ways. In his BP interview, "Bubby" Lewis mentioned that Tom Kennedy inspired him to play bass, and that he picked up techniques from rock guitarists that allowed him to develop his incredible speed. Although he has made his mark playing Gospel and Rap, the brother has spent a whole lot of time learning fusion and rock.

 

[user3653753]

Billy Low,

once again, taking any opportunity you can to dig a nice little jive remark about me into the mix that seems to have nothing to do with anything. Just another form of frustration you feel about where either you or the music industry are at right now.

Don't hark on about how Hadrien and i get all the coverage and the "young brothers" as you call them get none. I was in the studio WITH Dwayne Thomas, Robert Lewis AND Anthony Nembhard not six weeks ago making music for a GospelChops produced DVD with everyone getting equal coverage and time behind the camera. Race had absolutely nothing to do with it. We were a room full of musicians, great friends, incredible friendships and respects for one another, and not a bad word could be uttered in a full 12 hour DVD shoot because we love each other so much. You're once again not dealing with reality. You're sitting somewhere talking about musicians you know nothing about, and rattling on like you are some messiah of controversy that will somehow lead to whatever you perceive to be the truth. I'm not pretending to be any kind of authority at all, but I will interject some facts in a rather misinformed thread, only because I'm actually right in the middle of what you're talking about, and take great offense when you talk about my friends in such a misleading way.

In your argument or point, not that you really have one in reality, you made the single most horrendous mistake of bringing race into the equation. You're being racist towards me man. how do you feel when someone is racist towards you? I've talked to people of all races in great depth about this and the most common train of thought is that it's possibly one of the most degrading forms of communication known to mankind. How could one person think so little of another human being that the color of their skin has to be an issue? I find that deeply upsetting, and totally unacceptable behavior. Just as I'm sure sure you would if someone of another race offered a racist slur towards you.


Here's the reality check for anyone slightly in the dark about the way this industry works, and it really doesn't have anything to do with race. It has to do with money, and time.

Money = Advertising. Advertising = paychecks for all that work at music magazines. do the math. The bands with the most money to put into advertising, get the front covers and the features for their artists. The fact that Bass Player magazine is even being discussed right now is a joke because of it's comparatively minute global readership. You're discussing a magazine that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't actually reach anyone at all. Perhaps if you were discussing the new yorker, or time magazine and some statistics showed up to support your argument then it might be worth talking about, but you're not. You're talking about a magazine that only other musicians read, and a magazine that has little or no impact of the population of the planet.

The time aspect works something like this. you have to be around for longer than a couple of years before anyone takes any notice of you. Period. No matter how good you play, or what gig you have, it's just time and that's it.

Now, I know this was covered in a previous, equally benign thread, but billy.... seriously... get over this elite "known circle" mentality. The longer people like yourself make comments about it being that way, the longer the misconception of what being in some sort of successful musical circle will continue. From the way you write you seem to have absolutely no idea of what goes on in the world of music. You tell the world (or rather the some 180,000 possible talkbass members that might read this) that you are more than familiar with NYC and LA etc etc, yet you ramble on as though you've never even made a flight connection at JFK. you make out like there's this elite little club that some ringmaster magically plucks you out of thin air and places you in for the rest of your life. So that you might go onto do such incredible things as be asked some questions in a magazine and give answers. Have your photograph taken and placed on the cover of a magazine that gets less coverage than some inter company newsletters. And of course, once you've cemented your place in this elite club you get to do things like have videos on youtube, the right to maintain a facebook, twitter, and myspace profile for people to voluntarily be a part of.....

Come on man, I'm really sick of this down treading of what I, and a number of close friends have just worked harder for than the next guy. Hell yeah there are some people that get recognition for what they do, and I'm one of those people in some small way or another. not because I asked for it, nor have I ever wanted it. I have always just been honest with what I've done, made some incredible friends along the way, had the time of my life so far, and wouldn't want to do anything else in the world except make music. I know this is true for my friends, who are most of the people you talk about in your post. Justin Raines - incredible. Bubby - the sweetest cat you're ever likely to me, and yeah, he's one BAAAAADDDDD dood, and love him to bits. Dwayne and anthony - what can I say? their music, their attitude, and their dedication to what they do speak way more than I ever could for them. I appreciate what they do more they may ever know. Brandon Rose - never had the pleasure to meet him but I've sure checked everything out I possibly could. How in gods name do you think that the way he plays the bass at 11 years old isn't enough to ensure he has the career and eventually the legacy of a born-to-be legend of music?!

I'm sorry man, I'm not the gospel in any way shape or form. but what I do is live in the real world. And when you come along with this bull from start to finish it makes what me and all of the people I've mentioned in this post do, seem pointless when the point can be missed by such a wide margin as you have done here.

Don't ever bring up race and involve my name again. That is unacceptable. I strive my entire life to promote equality, peace, love, and community with music which is the only way i know how, and you come blustering along talking about how "young brothers" aren't on the cover of bass player magazine, and how Bill Leigh did wrong by the black bass playing community for not featuring more black bass players, and how it's somehow right yet shameful? for me, a white bass player, to have some media presence. You should listen to yourself before you post more often, and then check out what is REALLY going on in the world that you profess to be a part of, yet misrepresent in almost every way possible.

And yeah, to quote someone else's question from earlier, what is it that I do to such shamelessly self promote myself that is out of the ordinary, and that pisses you off?

Easy,

Janek

 

[DWBass]

I don't buy or subscribe to BP anymore. I get all my info right here on TB! Not so much for the makeup but due to the lack of recognition of more funk, latin/caribbean and gospel players. I'm sick of seeing the same old faces on the covers!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Billy Low,

once again, taking any opportunity you can to dig a nice little jive remark about me into the mix that seems to have nothing to do with anything. Just another form of frustration you feel about where either you or the music industry are at right now.

Don't hark on about how Hadrien and i get all the coverage and the "young brothers" as you call them get none. I was in the studio WITH Dwayne Thomas, Robert Lewis AND Anthony Nembhard not six weeks ago making music for a GospelChops produced DVD with everyone getting equal coverage and time behind the camera. Race had absolutely nothing to do with it. We were a room full of musicians, great friends, incredible friendships and respects for one another, and not a bad word could be uttered in a full 12 hour DVD shoot because we love each other so much. You're once again not dealing with reality. You're sitting somewhere talking about musicians you know nothing about, and rattling on like you are some messiah of controversy that will somehow lead to whatever you perceive to be the truth. I'm not pretending to be any kind of authority at all, but I will interject some facts in a rather misinformed thread, only because I'm actually right in the middle of what you're talking about, and take great offense when you talk about my friends in such a misleading way.

In your argument or point, not that you really have one in reality, you made the single most horrendous mistake of bringing race into the equation. You're being racist towards me man. how do you feel when someone is racist towards you? I've talked to people of all races in great depth about this and the most common train of thought is that it's possibly one of the most degrading forms of communication known to mankind. How could one person think so little of another human being that the color of their skin has to be an issue? I find that deeply upsetting, and totally unacceptable behavior. Just as I'm sure sure you would if someone of another race offered a racist slur towards you.


Here's the reality check for anyone slightly in the dark about the way this industry works, and it really doesn't have anything to do with race. It has to do with money, and time.

Money = Advertising. Advertising = paychecks for all that work at music magazines. do the math. The bands with the most money to put into advertising, get the front covers and the features for their artists. The fact that Bass Player magazine is even being discussed right now is a joke because of it's comparatively minute global readership. You're discussing a magazine that, in the grand scheme of things, doesn't actually reach anyone at all. Perhaps if you were discussing the new yorker, or time magazine and some statistics showed up to support your argument then it might be worth talking about, but you're not. You're talking about a magazine that only other musicians read, and a magazine that has little or no impact of the population of the planet.

The time aspect works something like this. you have to be around for longer than a couple of years before anyone takes any notice of you. Period. No matter how good you play, or what gig you have, it's just time and that's it.

Now, I know this was covered in a previous, equally benign thread, but billy.... seriously... get over this elite "known circle" mentality. The longer people like yourself make comments about it being that way, the longer the misconception of what being in some sort of successful musical circle will continue. From the way you write you seem to have absolutely no idea of what goes on in the world of music. You tell the world (or rather the some 180,000 possible talkbass members that might read this) that you are more than familiar with NYC and LA etc etc, yet you ramble on as though you've never even made a flight connection at JFK. you make out like there's this elite little club that some ringmaster magically plucks you out of thin air and places you in for the rest of your life. So that you might go onto do such incredible things as be asked some questions in a magazine and give answers. Have your photograph taken and placed on the cover of a magazine that gets less coverage than some inter company newsletters. And of course, once you've cemented your place in this elite club you get to do things like have videos on youtube, the right to maintain a facebook, twitter, and myspace profile for people to voluntarily be a part of.....

Come on man, I'm really sick of this down treading of what I, and a number of close friends have just worked harder for than the next guy. Hell yeah there are some people that get recognition for what they do, and I'm one of those people in some small way or another. not because I asked for it, nor have I ever wanted it. I have always just been honest with what I've done, made some incredible friends along the way, had the time of my life so far, and wouldn't want to do anything else in the world except make music. I know this is true for my friends, who are most of the people you talk about in your post. Justin Raines - incredible. Bubby - the sweetest cat you're ever likely to me, and yeah, he's one BAAAAADDDDD dood, and love him to bits. Dwayne and anthony - what can I say? their music, their attitude, and their dedication to what they do speak way more than I ever could for them. I appreciate what they do more they may ever know. Brandon Rose - never had the pleasure to meet him but I've sure checked everything out I possibly could. How in gods name do you think that the way he plays the bass at 11 years old isn't enough to ensure he has the career and eventually the legacy of a born-to-be legend of music?!

I'm sorry man, I'm not the gospel in any way shape or form. but what I do is live in the real world. And when you come along with this bull from start to finish it makes what me and all of the people I've mentioned in this post do, seem pointless when the point can be missed by such a wide margin as you have done here.

Don't ever bring up race and involve my name again. That is unacceptable. I strive my entire life to promote equality, peace, love, and community with music which is the only way i know how, and you come blustering along talking about how "young brothers" aren't on the cover of bass player magazine, and how Bill Leigh did wrong by the black bass playing community for not featuring more black bass players, and how it's somehow right yet shameful? for me, a white bass player, to have some media presence. You should listen to yourself before you post more often, and then check out what is REALLY going on in the world that you profess to be a part of, yet misrepresent in almost every way possible.

And yeah, to quote someone else's question from earlier, what is it that I do to such shamelessly self promote myself that is out of the ordinary, and that pisses you off?

Easy,

Janek

I respect you as an artist, and your position in this thread. I disagree, however, over the notion that a mention in BP is not important. For someone like yourself, who has a solo CD for sale at tyour Myspace page, a blurb in BP is probably worth a certain number of sales since I would guess that bassists are the main people buying your music.

 

[trb6pJM2]

Another thread proving that anything, that absolutely everything, in the world is racist

 

[user3653753]

A mention of any kind in any publication of any kind is of course beneficial in some way no matter how small. My point was that in the grand scheme of things this magazine shouldn't be the benchmark of black musicians being shunned by white folk, which was pretty much what billy low was getting at. White man keeping the black man down type of reasoning which is totally insulting, and something I want never to be associated with. And even the black man (bill leigh) keeping the black man down. very absurd indeed.

And I actually strive to make sure that the audience for my music goes as far beyond bass players as possible. It's a human thing as far as I'm concerned and has absolutely nothing to do with the instrument I play. It's melody, rhythm, and harmony, reaching out and having an effect on people in some way or another. I was trying to make the point that the "bass" aspect of all that is being talked about (i.e. exposure, audience, fanbase, coverage etc) is always the focal point, and rarely is it about the music. People, especially bass players and drummers in my experience, get way too hung up on the instrument aspect and forget about the fundamental aspects of music that attract us to it in the first place. Those being.... melody, harmony, and rhythm.

And the fact that billy low used me as an example as someone who gets more coverage than a black guy doing the same thing was pretty dumb. I've been in bass player magazine maybe 3 times in the 11 years I've know chris jisi personally, and you could easily count the number of words on a child's abacus just by dropping it on the floor and counting how many beads fell off..... so how that constitutes an unreasonable and unfair amount of exposure over someone else of a different skin color I have no idea. The concept of that is so completely horrible to even think about that billy has demonstrated a total lack of humanity by this thumping on about race.

Easy,

Janek

 

[pbass2]

Crap. I thought this was going to be a Jonas Brothers thread...

Me too!

 

[Billy Low]

Just another form of frustration you feel about where either you or the music industry are at right now.

Not at all my friend, I am quite comfortable with my station in life. I just happen to be a person who is observant as well as vocal. I speak my mind and have a right to my opinion as much as any one: to include yerself.

Don't hark on about how Hadrien and i get all the coverage

Never mentioned Hadrien. Once again, you throw people and statements into my post that clearly aren't there. It's not even possible to say that I even insinuated Hadrien in this thread. Nice try but I think you should be more thorough.

"young brothers" as you call them get none.

What is THAT?!?! It's quite clear to you what was meant when I said it or you would not have said this...

I was in the studio WITH Dwayne Thomas, Robert Lewis AND Anthony Nembhard not six weeks ago

If you didn't understand what "as I call them" meant you would have mentioned Damian. Yes, that is what I call them and what men in my culture have called each other for hundreds of years. As one who happens to have no problem mentioning at leisure how many times you musically fellowship with those "as I call thems" I suggest you tread lightly with that one. If you don't understand the kinship and sense of unity within my culture (as I am quite sure you do) you should make yourself aware...especially before you continue to play with more of my brothers AS I CALL THEM, AND THEY CALL ME!

As for your hard work. I never doubted your efforts or diligence. I never said that you didn't work hard. Your performance is evidence of that But if you believe that you are where you are and that others are not is because you worked harder than they did is a totally delusional thought and it would truly explain a lot.

You know what, I am no longer going to continue to dissect your reply so I will just post this:

No. I don't have a personal vendetta against you. I could care less about you truthfully. I brought your name up as matter of reference from direct observation. I do see that there are things that you are able to do that others can't; such as providing info regarding your future appearances, personal links and other things in post that mods here on tb would have a fit if others do it. No it's not put in the sig like the rest. Hey it's cool, do your thang! Advertise yourself! If you don't promote yerself I believe that no one will; But if others were to do what you do it would not be seen in the same light. Simple as that. That's the reality of it. Once again, take it the same way you take praise. Not hatin' just statin'!

As I've shared with you before, you have no idea who I know or have worked with or what I have done or what I do in the industry. Just because I don't name drop or share with whom I've worked does not mean that I don't have names to drop my friend. Whom I've worked with has less importance than who I am. It seems silly to me to say "I'm significant because I played with _____". Told you before, you really don't wanna get into that p#$%&*g contest.

As for your Gospel Chops appearance, PLEEEEEAZZZZ don't go there! Yes, I was aware of your involvement PRIOR to the taping (good plug though! LOL!!!). Not hating, but truthfully, to even bring that up by the standards that you post about who should receive press is laughable. Not to blast you, but your contribution to the gospel community has been minimal to negligible at best. Sure you've recorded and worked with a few gospel artist, but according to your post Jerome Allen, Kieth Taylor, Darrell Freeman, Craig Nelson, Leonard Jones, Dwayne Gott, Reggie Parker, Daryll Wright, James Moss, and Derrick Hearne should all have been called prior to you. See, all of these brothers have played on award winning, gold, platinum, or multi-platinum recordings that have significance not only to the gospel community, but to the Black church culture as a whole over the past 15 years. Some of the recordings have reached top 40 in the pop charts, top twenty (even number one) in the R&B charts. Once again, this is according to the standard that you stated! You need to put in more time buddy!

For the record, I never called you a racist, or insinuated that you were. Never said that you or anyone else was part of some conspiracy.

I'm not race bating. I'm not moaning about "white man keeping people of color down". I believe that it is quite valid that most people that have a cultural kinship with others in a given field feel as if there should be proper representation of the contributions made by said group. I think it's deplorable that some would try to invalidate the feelings that I or others like me have regarding this. How can it be inspiring when I have to search deeply to find coverage of those who look like me, do what I do, only to see that their current contributions are ignored until they reach "legendary" status, when I know for a fact that people like me are making valid contributions today! How much time did Shavo or Pete Wentz put in again before getting press? Tal Wilkenfeld? Not that I am against their success, but I don't believe that the folks I've named before had just as great or greater impact to their audience. Nor did they put in the time Why is it that I have to explain to my 12 year old daughter (whom is a bassist) why the bass player on the number one grossing tour in the world in 2008 who happens to look like her dad, got no press. Yes, my daughter has even made those observations as she has to search for players to emulate (I believe she has a crush on Marcus Miller LOL!!!).

I want to close by stating that just because I want more coverage for bass players of color in no way equivilates to "I hate white players" or "the establishment is against blacks". Truthfully publications and web sites that specialize to such a market as the bass playing community should be more diligent to give a broader view of the community. To try to reduce raising the issue of inadequate coverage to race bating or moaning is an approach that should not be taken. It would serve all to listen and approach the issues with action. That is the only way that progress can take place. For others to progress does not mean that you have to lose anything. There is room at the table for all.

Janek, we would do best in the future to totally ignore each other.

 

[user3653753]

if we're going to ignore each other, then please try not bringing up my name in one of your negative and counter productive threads.

Although you can't really beat the number of hits you're creating to this site, I'd still rather stay completely out of it which would be greatly helped by you not talking **** about me or friends of mine that you know nothing about.

 

[Billy Low]

if we're going to ignore each other, then please try not bringing up my name in one of your negative and counter productive threads.

Although you can't really beat the number of hits you're creating to this site, I'd still rather stay completely out of it which would be greatly helped by you not talking sh*t about me or friends of mine that you know nothing about.

Once again dude, YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I KNOW, OR WHAT I KNOW You really should stop it.

Yeah, you need to stay on your own island of a forum. It's real out here pal. You don't wanna swim with the sharks. You might get bitten again.

BTW, Try masking your profanity better.

 

[user3653753]

I don't care who you know, and I have a pretty good idea that you know very little about what you spoke about so far. so just leave it alone okay?

music isn't about competition, and all you've done is try to make it that way. Provoking statements, vague comments, veiled slurs, your aggressive nature. it's not cool.

Music is very cool, you talking about swimming with sharks, and staying on an island - so not cool at all.

 

[Phil Smith]

Yo, what's up with the personal feud????

IMO, the race angle with Bass Player magazine is a stretch and that's independent of whether or not race factors into life situations in this country which is a discussion for another place and time.

Billy Low,

It does seem like you have a personal vendeta against Janek, like you're on some kind of crusade. Like I said before there's nothing wrong him promoting himself, cuz if he doesn't, ain't no one else gonna do it. The "young brothers" if they want to widen their reach need to get more media savy and create their own "hype". These days with your own personal efforts you can be on youtube but they may or may not translate into getting that big gig or that big series of gigs.

 

[Billy Low]

I don't care who you know, and I have a pretty good idea that you know very little about what you spoke about so far. so just leave it alone okay?

music isn't about competition, and all you've done is try to make it that way. Provoking statements, vague comments, veiled slurs, your aggressive nature. it's not cool.

Music is very cool, you talking about swimming with sharks, and staying on an island - so not cool at all.

Dude, What happened to ignoring me (and what's with the trying to get the last word bit)?

Never made it a competition. I just posted observations.

Once again you have placed something in my post that doesn't exist. I never veiled ANY slur. If I had, please show me and the others.

Not vague at all If I had been my posts would be much shorter. I believe that it is my DIRECTNESS that you mistake for aggressiveness.

To continue to tell me or to insinuate to others that my knowledge or background is minimal is the wrong approach in trying to validate yer argument. I'm sure you won't be satisfied until I provide you with a resume. Not needed.

As for provocation, the only statement I have made have been those to provoke thought. Think about it, what you are saying is equal to the argument that if I say that Jaguar automobiles for years had been plagued with reliability issues is me saying that I hate British people and I think that they are not smart enough to engineer a stable automotive product and clearly those made in the US were better. Yeah pal, yer stretchin' it to keep folks in the corner of your argument.


Yes, outside of your forum you will be subject to less than glowing remarks. Also unlike your forum, you have less control of the direction in which these conversations take. This too is part of yer frustration. Like you said, don't like it, stay out of it.

 

[Billy Low]

Yo, what's up with the personal feud????

IMO, the race angle with Bass Player magazine is a stretch and that's independent of whether or not race factors into life situations in this country which is a discussion for another place and time.

Billy Low,

It does seem like you have a personal vendeta against Janek, like you're on some kind of crusade. Like I said before there's nothing wrong him promoting himself, cuz if he doesn't, ain't no one else gonna do it. The "young brothers" if they want to widen their reach need to get more media savy and create their own "hype". These days with your own personal efforts you can be on youtube but they may or may not translate into getting that big gig or that big series of gigs.

Sure, it could be assumed, but it is not so. But if you check, I have congratulated him in the past, and have given him kudos for self promotion, have even agreed with others as to his level of talent. These were genuine and not back handed compliments at all. Understand that I am no stranger to celebrity and in no ways am I star struck. I make no apologies for my directness, and I will be direct with everyone. No matter the walk of life. This is because I have had the blessing to have had the audience of those from every walk of life...from the poor house to the palace...from outhouse to Whitehouse. I reverence no man more than another. Believe me, I am sure that i can come off a bit abrasive (and I'm sure that avatar doesn't help LOL!!!), but those who know me will attest that i would give my last to help my fellow man, even if I have had differences with that person.

 

[Andrew Jones]

I don't know who most of those guys are but I know Justin and he can flat out play. He should be in BP.


Aj