[Harp-L] Entertainment Value

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think the recent discussions come down to that.  How we as listeners  
and musicians view how music should be presented.

I  spent my teen years in the 1970's when theatrics was a big part of  
the rock music scene.  My friends got it. I didn't.  I would rather  
have sat through
a Modern Jazz Quartet concert then go see Alice Cooper or KISS when I  
was 15.  My viewpoint was all the jumping around and stage antics was  
a way to take
 the audience mind off of less then virtuosic musicianship.   Of  
course, now in my 50's I understand the value of showmanship and what  
the acts were
 doing and the people they were reaching out to.

I'm still in the camp that prefers to close their eyes at a concert  
rather then being amused with antics. Give me the Chicago Symphony  
over Trans Siberian Orch. any day.   I don't mind if the performer  
doesn't engage the audience with shout outs and  "how you doing?"  As  
a musician I entertain the way I like to be entertained and I think  
that is the approach most or all of us take when we step on stage.

Those among us that grew up on the "Ratpack" and other Vegas type acts  
aren't as visual on stage as the rockers but they do engage the  
audience much like Smokey Joe described at his gigs.

Some of my local  harp buddies take a different view then me.  They  
were into the heavy theatrics of the 70's rock and funk bands and  
present themselves more as entertainers providing both the aural and  
visual stimuli.  That is fine.  There is a massive MTV crowd that grew  
up on that stimuli.  They attract a larger fan base outside of blues  
then I could because I don't engage the audience the way they do.

There is a large enough fan base out there that will appreciate how  
you present yourself on stage.  It's just a matter of them finding  
you.  I know local musicians with fair musicianship who gets hordes of  
gigs
because they learned to balance their musical skills with  
entertainment skills to create a full package.  Then there are those  
that have talent in both areas.  I'm happy being a sideman to whomever  
is fronting the band.

At the end of the night all we can hope for is that we connected with  
a like minded audience and left them feeling satisfied.


Michael Easton
www.harmonicarepair.com