[Harp-L] Burying, EGOS

[SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx]

For someone to say they will bury anyone that tries to shine on Their stage  
is a bit egotistical, is it not. Maybe one has not traveled the world and been 
 in their small town for too long, to think only a few players will cut their 
 heads off. It is not about that, we are diluting the GIFT that playing harp 
is,  with this "I am better than everyone else stuff". Maybe it is the age, 
but  seasoned players who have traveled know how many great players there are 
that  are not famous, with truly unique styles. I have heard clips of many of 
players  on the list, and each have their own style. So if Dave Barrett comes 
down with  his fog thick tone and you play a thousand notes to his one soulful 
one, is one  better than the other? Embrace each other's gifts, you may find 
peace within  yourself to where you don't feel the need to think that way. Until 
it is taken  from you, we do not know just HOW much of a gift it is to be 
able to play and  perform in front of an audience. I lost my freedom for nearly 
two years and was  not allowed to play harp, but I was forced to look inside 
who I really was and  how I interacted with people. Medical issues may knock you 
out, so lighten up,  look at the big picture. Yes so many on the list play 
extremely well, and I  applaud you. We are all one. When I speak of my 
experiences with the greats it  is not to say look what I did, I am trying to pass 
along experiences that were  truly a blessing, and hopefully some can enjoy them 
and learn from them. If we  want to keep this list alive with REAL content, 
let's put egos aside and talk  harp, technique, experiences, amps, acoustic, 
country, jazz, mics, whatever. One  more note and I will leave, when it comes to 
what Annie did or did not do, SHE  is the only one in her heart that can answer 
that question, and I know her, she  is a fine person. Another issue is I 
don't feel we should put her in the  category of a good "female" player, like she 
is ok, for a woman. She is a great  HARP player, who has had to overcome 
stereotypes that probably pushed her harder  to be the player she is. We must pass 
onto the younger generations what we have  been blessed to have passed onto 
us, not hold it tightly against our chests. I  mean no malice to anyone with 
this post, I have been there. Sonny  Jr.