I'm probably not getting this, but...

[silverthorne]

Somehow, these guys here seem to be missing the point; or else I am.

After all, without your fanbase, aren't you just another unpaid person with a cool artistic hobby? If your fans won't vote for you, who will?

Or...I dunno. Are the opinions of your peers more important than the people giving you their money?

What? I don't get it, but it seems kinda...disrespectful (if we're going to throw that word around) to turn your nose up at the people who put you on the map in the first place by being the ones that bought your music and are now 'standing up' for you by voting for you. I mean, really, are the people that listened to the stuff you put out that much less educated than a room full of older peers who have their own unfair rules in place for these sort of things?

...Or am I just too stupid to understand this one? (which is possible)

Comments

[silverthorne.livejournal.com]

I think what got me was the apparent 'you all don't understand how hard it is to make a good song' attitude that came across.

Yes, granted, there are folks out there who think all you have to do is stand in front of a mic and wail out your woes...but in all honesty, anyone I've ever talked to who actually cared more about any song, group, or CD beyond the casual 'oh yeah, I heard that on the radio and it was cool', knows something about music, the process, and yes, just how hard it is to turn three or four starting notes or lyrics into something incredible.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but even though the experts can tell you why that measure was innovative, or this riff just outdid anything (name very skilled guitarist of your choice here) ever did...doesn't make them an expert in what will last, and possibly outlast the artist or band who created it and performed it first.

Knowing how the music works is only one part of the whole reason a song or album is or is not good. There are these little things called playability and longevity with the audience that counts as well. And the best imput for that part?

Is the audience.

**Puts away soapbox**

[rebl1969.livejournal.com]

Well, he also homogenized the audience. While I guess that most of the people who voted for him are not professional musicians, surely some of them must be. I get the feeling by reading his comments that he thinks he was only voted for by waitresses and NASCAR fans.

I mean, for instance, every time we get a survey call at the house, when they ask if anyone in the household works in media or marketing, we have to say yes, and they thank us for our time but we're disqualified. I'm pretty sure that the ACM web site did NOT have a disclaimer that said if you work in the industry you can't vote. It must have been pretty equal-opportunity.

Basically, he dissed his fan base. Bad move.

[silverthorne.livejournal.com]

Way bad move.

It's one thing to be true to your art, even if your fans are not thrilled with it (most generally will give the 'new' stuff a try anyway and you learn from how well it does as to whether or not you should do it again).

It's another to so transparently tell them 'your opinion of my music does not matter'.

Sorry, pal, but really? It does. Because if no one likes it, you're not going to be making enough money for the media folks to be interested in voting you 'best' for anything....