Why no Hype for the young Brothers?

[aborgman]

When it's all said and done a bass mag is to inform the bass community and the world not only of the tools of our trade but the players as well.

No, when it's all said and done a bass mag is to make the owners/shareholders money. Same as any other magazine.

 

[willgroove2]

I wonder if im valid here to comment. More than half the time, I'm the only white guy onstage...and no that doesnt mean I play coffee shops! I dont think about it, until another fellow member of honkus-colorus comes up to play..I must admit that I think he or she is going to suck. Very wrong.

Oh, and if it really really mattered:
Christina Aguilera's bassist : black
P-Diddy's bassist : Black
Ushers bassist : black
Ce Ce Winans Bass player : Black
Buddy Guys bass player: Black
The guys I sub for or have replaced on some occasions : black
Who ever the &%# Lady Ga Ga is bassist : black

As far as magazines go..its a business, thats all.

Seriously though...who is lady gaga?

Ushers doesn't use a bass player live anymore, hasn't in 2 tours (pro tools) and Buddy Guys bassist for many years was white, but we are not talking about who play's gig's (that is a whole different subject) we are talking about media coverage.

We live in a new media age where physical media,magazines newspaper ect are struggling to stay afloat. My main issue with Bassplayer is the fact that when I skim thru drum magazines they seem to have much more content (And to be fair more ad's). I personally have experienced someone who is Media savvy building relationships to the point were they were declared one of the best bassist in a major Mag and at the time and IMO were not even the best on their local scene which is MY local scene also.

We are actually in a new media age,I have a website,a myspace and a Facebook page with 2 more websites in the works and i feel like I'm behind the curve as far as convergence. There IMO is a slight bias in media but a lot of it has to do with old business models and thinking; you can't tell me that these young church boy are not buying gear and wouldn't be influenced be seeing someone who looks like them in a magazine ad.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

They aren't in the business of "showing love" - they are in the business of selling magazines, and the only reason they want to sell magazines is to sell advertising.

Money.

They aren't around to introduce the world to new players, they are around to make cash - however they can do so. If putting more emphasis on those cats would make them more money, they would do it.

I think every one knows that but the mag is also there to informing the community. At least that's what the mag wanted their targeted demographics to believe in the beginning.

You want to sell more mags and get the advertising dollars(and more of those $'s) make the mags more diverse and rightfully inform the community at the same time.


Whats wrong an in depth issue on the talented and deserving Asian bass players.


Or a serious issue on the history of Brazilian bass players.

People can continue to say it's about advertising but the %'s of coverage show something else. It shows an entire sector that has great contributions past and present and a continuous growing one and it's barely touched.


Bass players of color sell gear,mags,CD's,info,history and experience(s) just like any other bass player.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Has there been any thought that some players really don't emphasize on being in the spotlight, you know, people like this do exist. There will be people that have that kind of personality, one person may see it as glamor, fame fortune or a soapbox....... Another may see it as an actual job and don't sweat the rest of it and do what they do best. Maybe I'm just detached in this aspect, but I could care less about a magazine, ads, endorsements..etc..... I wouldn't bother with superficial aspects if I just did what i loved for a living, that would be enough for me, but that's me.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Has there been any thought that some players really don't emphasize on being in the spotlight, you know, people like this do exist. There will be people that have that kind of personality, one person may see it as glamor, fame fortune or a soapbox....... Another may see it as an actual job and don't sweat the rest of it and do what they do best. Maybe I'm just detached in this aspect, but I could care less about a magazine, ads, endorsements..etc..... I wouldn't bother with superficial aspects if I just did what i loved for a living, that would be enough for me, but that's me.

Have you thought about how many that are featured that never gave it any thought but are?

 

[Rickett Customs]

Have you thought about how many that are featured that never gave it any thought but are?

Yes I did

And it is possible some were pursued, maybe some avoided it. But then again there are so many (unknowns) that will never be listed, that are just as comparable to all the "knowns", that are in the magazines and spotlights. Somewhere in the world there are folks that are too modest for their own good.

Then again Jauqo, you might just be more privy to this than I , I'm sure you know way more cats that have been there done that.

 

[chicago_mike]

Hey Will, I know we've met before, maybe at Lakland?

Anyways, As silly as it sounds to me, technology, while NOT the sole culprit here, does take some of the heat. Like you said, you'll have about 4 or more different websites going. Chuckaluck has his web-mag, I too have a myspace page but now I use facebook and twitter almost exclusively..its crazy..myspace was "first" and was the king, then came facebook, and now twitter..something else will be the next big thing and so on and so forth. Everybody is a star nowadays, or at least blog like one.

newspapers, and print media will at some point die. Less than 100 years, maybe less than...mm..60. And the way we communicate now will be outdated soon enough.

Im still amazed that bass player even made it. You guys know there was a mag before bassplayer? And On the cover of one of the issues, at least I think it was the cover..was jamaaladeen tacuma(sp), and he was playing a 7 string bass. This was in the 80's I think.

 

[aborgman]

I think every one knows that but the mag is also there to informing the community. At least that's what the mag wanted their targeted demographics to believe in the beginning.

No - that may be the lie they tell because they think saying it will sell more magazines, but the only reason they care about "informing" is if "informing" leads to more sales.

You want to sell more mags and get the advertising dollars(and more of those $'s) make the mags more diverse and rightfully inform the community at the same time.

No. You want to sell more advertising. That is it. If being less diverse sells more magazines than being more diverse - you do it... and evidence is, being less diverse sells more magazines.

Whats wrong an in depth issue on the talented and deserving Asian bass players.

Or a serious issue on the history of Brazilian bass players.

It'll sell less copies than putting Les Claypool on the cover for a 223rd time.

Bass players of color sell gear,mags,CD's,info,history and experience(s) just like any other bass player.

"Just like"?

I doubt it. Less famous players will sell less magazines.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Yes I did

And it is possible some were pursued, maybe some avoided it. But then again there are so many (unknowns) that will never be listed, that are just as comparable to all the "knowns", that are in the magazines and spotlights.

Lets not over look the fact that some unknowns became known through mag coverage.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

There IMO is a slight bias in media but a lot of it has to do with old business models and thinking; you can't tell me that these young church boy are not buying gear and wouldn't be influenced be seeing someone who looks like them in a magazine ad.

You hit the nail on the head. Too many assume that Blacks don't buy. I'm sure most Black players have had the experience of going into a shop, wanting to see gear, and the salesman asks, do you know what that costs? Literally, at the same time, I have seen white teenagers casually grab the most expensive things in the store without anyone taking a second glance at them.

I actually think I bought a bass or two just to prove a point when I was younger.

The funny thing is that boutique makers know who buys their stuff. Mike Tobias knows how many young black guys are buying his basses, so does he guy at LowEnd or the folks at Warrior. The same goes for Brubaker. The websites of all those outfits show that they know where their market is.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Lets not over look the fact that some unknowns became known through mag coverage.

This is true, no doubt, but that could also be any mag, for that matter. I certainly agree that If some feel that there is an imbalance to exposure, it's not unwarranted, but it's surely not the only place where it happens either. I think it was also echoed somewhere in this thread regarding sales, which is going to play an invisible factor.

However, do you agree that some folks pay way more their dues than others, who seem to just come along so easily?

 

[nortonrider]

Still complaining about this I see.
I have a suggestion, why don't somebody start up a Black Bass Player magazine?
"Problem" solved.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

However, do you agree that some folks pay way more their dues than others, who seem to just come along so easily?

Yes I do(agree).

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Still complaining about this I see.
I have a suggestion, why don't somebody start up a Black Bass Player magazine?
"Problem" solved.

I see you are still looking. If you think it is a dumb topic, check out something else. I don't agree with all the viewpoints posted here, but I see no problem discussing different points of view. It always irks me that some immediately take a dismissive view if a Black person is the least bit critical.

 

[chicago_mike]

magazine does article on rock player...

some readers ask how about covering a blues guy...

magazine covers a blues guy..

some readers ask...can you cover a hip hop cat?

Magazine covers hip hop cat...

some readers say, I feel too old reading you magazine...

magazine covers 60's rock god...

some readers ask, why are you covering some old fuddy duddy?

magazine covers international pop bassist...

some readers complain magazine has gone too commercial and doesnt care about "real art"

magazine covers session player...

everybody plays nice till next month....

magazine covers rock band....cycle repeats...

 

[nortonrider]

I see you are still looking. If you think it is a dumb topic, check out something else. I don't agree with all the viewpoints posted here, but I see no problem discussing different points of view. It always irks me that some immediately take a dismissive view if a Black person is the least bit critical.

Wrong diagnosis there Dr.
I just threw out a suggestion, why so dismissive of it? don't you think it could be a viable business venture?

 

[willgroove2]

Hey Will, I know we've met before, maybe at Lakland?

Anyways, As silly as it sounds to me, technology, while NOT the sole culprit here, does take some of the heat. Like you said, you'll have about 4 or more different websites going. Chuckaluck has his web-mag, I too have a myspace page but now I use facebook and twitter almost exclusively..its crazy..myspace was "first" and was the king, then came facebook, and now twitter..something else will be the next big thing and so on and so forth. Everybody is a star nowadays, or at least blog like one.

newspapers, and print media will at some point die. Less than 100 years, maybe less than...mm..60. And the way we communicate now will be outdated soon enough.

Im still amazed that bass player even made it. You guys know there was a mag before bassplayer? And On the cover of one of the issues, at least I think it was the cover..was jamaaladeen tacuma(sp), and he was playing a 7 string bass. This was in the 80's I think.

Maybe,I have been to Lakeland twice in my life and the second time was a GTG so I met a bunch a people

 

[aborgman]

Wrong diagnosis there Dr.
I just threw out a suggestion, why so dismissive of it? don't you think it could be a viable business venture?

...and if it wouldn't be a viable business venture, what does that say about why BP chooses the subjects they do choose?

 

[Rickett Customs]

Obviously this thread will help no predetermined notions on race right?

Instead of the OP's title, would have the direction of this discussion had been different if it was:

"Why no hype for the young lesser known players?"

We do all no question have playing bass in common, why the direction of blatant differences?

Cause this subject matter seems to get jaded, once it becomes a matter of color.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

Still complaining about this I see.
I have a suggestion, why don't somebody start up a Black Bass Player magazine?
"Problem" solved.

Ok.

Founded by a black bass player and owned by a black bass player.



Link Removed