Give. Take...take.

SO.

Yeah....this evening I was able to complete a refreshing and invigorating yoga session to the Braveheart movie soundtrack. That's right. During the flowing yoga session, I reflected on a conversation I had moments ago, before the yoga.

I was in jest with a friend of mine who will go unnamed. We were joking around, or at least I thought we were joking, about fun stuff bands do. In particular, a band he is currently a member of. I sincerely think what they're doing is cool and a good time; while being musically entertaining as well. Either way at the completion of the conversation, or, what I thought was the completion of the conversation, he says, "See, I don't view music as a competition."

OK.

It, whether admitted to or not, was directed at me. Context my friends, ...context. It was delivered in a way as to suggest he had A) Recently thought up the concept; the words themselves; the intended target(s). Or B) Someone had recently told that to him and he internalized it. ..It kinda put me back on my heels due to the way it was verbalized, so I said something along the lines of "no shit....I know it's not a competition....wait, are you saying that....etc???" So, basically there was a moment of how-did-this-come-from-out-of-that conversation-??-type of thoughts and responses. From there, he seemed to "buy" my retort and he proceeded to switch gears to someone else that he feels may in fact, be "competing" in music, rather than creating art to the best of their desire and abilities. Someone else who happens to be involved in making music with me....So, it's pretty clear to good ole ZFJ that my good friend's viewpoints about people "competing" in music, had at one point or another landed on my character. Me?? My good friend, who by the way is an excellent musician, was on a pedestal with this viewpoint. Or at least it was delivered that way. Unintentionally, or intentionally.

Not to have my narcissistic personality slighted, I will now go on a bit of a pedestal with my viewpoints. I'll keep it short....no, it'll probably end up long-winded....just skip whole parts if you get tired.

Anyway, I have written a lot of music. I've been able to perform it mostly on my/our terms along the way. I am also blessed to know, have known and to write and play with many great musicians. I have the fulfillment derived from releasing a number of albums I've been part of; Being on other musicians' releases; Memories I helped create...shit, the hard work is and was worth it.....and, that music I helped to create, that I believe in such much....I always want to share it. And I've been able to share it with thousands of people so far. Admittedly, I have graced the lunatic side with regards to promoting my music in the past. Why, numerous times I've sold over a hundred tickets by myself to events I've been part of! Yes readers, that is boasting about lunatic-side promotional efforts. It sucks to harass your friends, families and fans to come out to your show, ten times; a hundred times. I understand this....Point is, if I believe in it, I just want to give it more ,in ways I can give to it....you know?

But I digress....I've been wrapped up with thoughts today, about some things I've experienced since I started doing the booking/promotions at The Elevens (http://musicattheelevens.blogspot.com) See?!? Right there! That's why I get a bad rap. Just. Can't. Help. The...shameless... promotion. Anyway. About the thoughts about things I've been privy to. The thoughts involve some alarmingly consistent patterns, from similar contexts, involving would-be book-ees as well as acts that have been on some show bills.

Now, without further ado, here's the burning topics consuming my brain, from the musical competition portion of my life.

1) Why do out of town bands coming on tours to our area, with minimal credibility, and status-quo music, always ask for sizeable guarantees (a set amount for the performance)?

So I ask back what they can guarantee in draw (people through the door)? They usually get A) Mad. B) Really informative as to why they should get what they want with no idea of who may show up to see them. C) Back way down on their requirements, realizing that the venue is willing to host them, if it's makes sense. So, why can't it make sense for the venue in the first place? Why all the haggling?? If you can, by whatever means, create an event that will do well for you and the venue hosting your event, everybody wins.

Anyway.

2) Why do talented local musical acts, with fresh ideas, sometimes have next to no fans in the room? Lot's of times, actually.


Example: 5 local bands on a bill. Looks promising. They have 35 people in the room. 20 of them are legitimately in the bands, and getting a couple drink tickets each. Again, they had like 15 people there who were not performing. This has nothing to do with their music or them as people. But, well...let's add it up. Let's say the 20 band members individually get 4 friends out to the show. That means there are 80 people in the room. 100 people when you add in the members of the band. At our venue, that would be a very solid draw and would most likely be an exciting environment to perform in. Seems almost amazing that this doesn't happen.

And don't tell me you have less fun when 99 of your friends are reveling in your music with you pal.

Simply, 4 friends come to join in the live performance of music, written and performed to perfection, by their friends. Why not?

So, ...why not?

Why do people get bent out of shape if a show doesn't get booked, or an existing show has to stop because it doesn't do well?? Why can't the venue, who is hosting the event, and therefore incurring operating expenses, be allowed to recoup those expenses?? (more evidence of how I may be "competing" in music --not even pointing that comment at my friend. Ok. Yes I was.) What if the venue was even open to try and make a slight profit while hosting quality entertainment (quality is a relative term)?? Are we getting into the big-mean-corporation angles here? No. We're not. Why can't some people find 4 people to entertain with their music but other people can find hundreds?

Because some people are willing to see both sides of the equation, and they attempt to have it make sense, for everyone. That's why. That's the way to do it folks. In anything you do in your life actually. To see both sides of the equation requires you to get over yourself, put yourself in the other person's shoes, and be objective when you're forming your decisions. But you have to get over yourself first!

Still, the vast majority of people who light up our stage are class acts, fortunately.

Ok. There we go...it had been too long since I spewed out some motivational-speaking-esq drivel about music related stuff. People are so fucking judgemental about things.


~ZFJ

Today. I believed.

Today. I believed.

Like all of you, I really doubt the credibility of the majority of pan-handlers that work the medians around shopping malls, major intersections and most other well trafficed/consumer areas. In our minds, we flash the scenario of a beaten down-clinging-to-a-shred-of-hope, desparate shell of a man. We think, "they may be a traveler in this land...weary and set upon by bad luck. Indeed, a wayward soul with no shelter, no hope, no family to turn to, no luck, other than you, in your car." It hits you that the fifty cents you may give them will help them save up to buy a cheesburger so they may have the energy once again to embark on their long and arduous journey back.......to the next shopping mall median or major intersection. It's right about now when you return from your delusion and find yourself close enough to them to read the tattered, well-calculated sign: "Hungry. Cold. I am homeless. Lost my job...need food. God bless.".

But you just don't buy it.

Your next delusion may be of them working for a very organized and thriving business based out of a regional corporate center located in a large city. They may be a sales representative who just happens to look like a bum because the position requires this. They may have answered a job posting at some point that read:

"Wanted: Outside Sales Representative. We have many open territories for entrepreneurial-minded business devleopment experts with experience in "residential sales". This is an outstanding opportunity to earn a generous six figure income while working Part Time. In this role you will be assigned a daily territory. You will be stationed at a major median in a well populated area. Your role will be to solicit "donations" based on your marketing abilities, ability to quickly establish rapport with prospects, devlopment of marketing materials (i.e. tattered/calculated cardboard sign)and close the sale (i.e. they give you fifty cents). This adds up as you know. Ideal candidates will have a four year college degree from an accredited college or university preferably in Business Development, Acting, Law, and/or Communications, will be proficient in the MS Office suite, will have the ability to convincingly look pathetic, will have balls (or "balls" for female candidates. We ARE a diversity company)and will be motivated to get money from people to support your eventually lavish lifestyle..."

Or something to that effect.

We picture them, now having worked at this company for eight months...maybe even two years? We envision them putting in a tough day of solicitation then meeting up at a local parking lot where their Volvo is parked along with the other sales reps vehicles. They may talk like;

"how'd you do today Jimmy?"

"eh...not to good Bill...fucking cheapskate republican fucks. I think my sign sucked today actually, just wasn't feeling it. Nobody was buying the war veteran angle...whatever. I'm going to get a beer before heading home to the wife. You going to the sales meeting tomorrow?"

"Yeah. Can't fucking wait. I "love" meetings...especially since my sales numbers have been down...love to sit there and hear the same basic fact repeated for 45 minutes. You going?

"Shit yeah I'm going! My numbers aren't exactly the prettiest right now!"
(mutual laughter ensues)

Or perhaps some other work day related banter like that.

And we don't believe anymore. But we want to believe. This feeling that they're not actually bums or down-on-their-luck people but instead are working for some business, it's not a "human" feeling like we want to feel. We can't accept that there are that many actual people who have no money, no food, no hope, no chance...we know everyone has a chance because we can all make a choice. We feel hollow inside as we resign to our fate within the world-as-it-is.

Then something so innocent and real enters your world and unknowingly saves you.

Today I saw a person standing on the median at a local shopping plaza I frequent around mid-afternoon.....anyway it struck me as odd because there is usually no worker ...err, pan-handler on that median. This guy was no fucking professional though. He agressively pointed a cardboard sign at cars. He followed them as they passed with his eyes and body, sometimes even going up to the drivers side window and thrusting the sign in the drivers face as if he couldn't believe they had missed it! He had jittery feet and raw desperation as if he had to piss so bad or something. I saw the beady eyes. The car in front of me gave some money. I saw my chance to pass as he gazed into his hands at the free money he'd just been given. He thinks to himself "IT WORKS!!!" Now he's one step closer to the liquor store? The crack house?? I moved past him and was elated to read the sign that read simply; "please help. neEd moNEy".

Wow.

This shit can't be faked. The "professionals" in that major corporation need to hire this guy. He fucking sells. He doesn't hear the word "no". With his eye on the prize he makes you believe, because he actually IS the real deal. At least I believe again. That guy wasn't a sales rep in some assigned territory working a job. He's not meeting sales quotas and drawing up marketing materials. He wants money to get booze or something and he scribbled basic thoughts on a real piece of fucking cardboard he found, and then pounded the pavement in the hot sun, and got it done. Take that to your sales meeting Jimmy.

~ZFJ