[Harp-L] Media Editorial - Denver news and video coverage

[icemanle@xxxxxxx]

While I'm of the philosophy that "any exposure is good exposure", it is disappointing to once again see the media focusing on old men wearing silly hats, novelty tunes, a quick shot of long hair dude chugging away, and kids playing harmonicas that sounds like noise.
 
This is exactly what we should be steering the media away from and towards Robert B. doing beautiful classical work and some of the more melodic and sophisticated harmonica approaches to try and change the public's awareness and perception of the harmonica.
 
In the Orlando area, I've been approached by the media (newspaper, TV and most recently, talk radio FM) for stories. I've been able to frankly speak about the bad image focused on in the past with these media types and convinced them to run more responsible stories. The result - 2 beautiful and different articles regarding inspiration and the harmonica and teaching a young harmonica student (RJ) with his own profile/article, and a TV spot that focused on what the harmonica can sound like if you get beyond vaudeville. Most exciting to me is the recent talk radio in yo' face personalities, who began by putting down the harmonica (it's not a real instrument - it's like playing a washboard), and now one of them is taking weekly lessons and talking about positive aspects on the radio.
 
This is the way to preserve and advance the harmonica, as far as media coverage is concerned, IMO.
 
The Iceman
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mce82695@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, 20 Aug 2006 6:52 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Harmonica Lovers Show Off Their Skills In Denver


Check out a short article and long video clip from SPAH. 
ahh! the drone of 200 harpers playing at once. bring back memories of other conventions. 
 
http://cbs4denver.com/topstories/local_story_230210138.html 
 
mike 
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