Re: [Harp-L] Taylor Hicks...

["Suave Blues Man" <res6k2zt@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dear WB,

National television is never a timid entity. I respect Rob and Dolly and all 
of the other musicians mentioned. True, there will not be a mega-popularity 
of harmonicas; but what a difference COULD there be with an American Idol 
backed by even 1% of the fifty million American Idol voters. That's 500,000 
potential new harmonica sales! And those sales could very likely be made to 
aspiring musicians whose parents can't afford those piano lessons, guitar 
lessons or French horn lessons. If 90% give up after six-months that's still 
50,000 remaining people with a harp-in-the-hand and several songs in the 
soul.

Personally, I've held music in high regard for my entire life. (sic) 
(Certainly you've done the same.) And whatever niche is held by guitar, 
piano, oboe, cello, steel guitar, banjo, dobro, ukelele, et alia with the 
support of music sales, television talk show exposure and radio play has 
fueled greater appreciation for music, music sales and instrument outlets 
since time immemorial.

Taylor Hicks? Yeah, he can play a lick. And so can Survivor Man Les Stroud. 
And you can hear more than half of all television advertising with some harp 
wailing in the background.

Resurgence is a funny thing. Many describe it as "everything old is new 
again" or "what goes around comes around". Call it what you will but the 
Woody and the Willy are as much the fabric of our history as is the latest 
(?) Chevy HHR, Dodge this, architechtural that, clothes style, author 
scenario, story line or news report...Well, you COULD say that we've heard 
it all before.

Harmonica. A once and forever wail. (My quote.)

Be Blues,

Suave Blues Man

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "WB" <harptime@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Friday, May 19, 2006 1:24 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Taylor Hicks...


> I don't mean to rain on anybody's parade but reality tells me that one
> American Idol that can blow some decent licks on the harp isn't gonna 
> create
> some sort of harmonica popularity explosion. Think about some of the 
> places
> our very own Rob Paparozzi has been in the last few years. Playing along
> side super stars like Dolly Parton with major TV and radio exposure. There
> are many more examples of killer/quality harp being exposed to the masses.
> For whatever reason the harp just stays in its niche as a "non major"
> instrument  (unlike guitar, piano, drums etc.) The Walters & Sonnys,
> Butterfield, Stevie Wonder, Toots, McCoy, Dylan, Billy Joel, Popper, Neil
> Young, Alanis, Springsteen, Huey Lewis, Norton Buffalo, the Beatles, Led
> Zeppelin, many, many country bands,the list goes on and on. Harp has been
> exposed to the masses in many different ways and from many different 
> levels
> of ability to blow.  The harps level of popularity is not going to go off
> the charts from Taylor Hicks.
>
>
>
> Personally I am glad the harmonica is a niche instrument.  Mega popularity
> isn't always a good thing. Fact is that Hohner sold over 25 million
> harmonicas back in 1925. Since then the world of popular music has
> seen/heard a whole lot of incredible players in many genres. I am not sure
> of the exact number today but it is way, way less than 25 million sold /
> year. This drop coincides with much population growth to boot!
>
>
>
> Besides, Buzz Krantz is the current American Harmonica Idol. Taylor has to
> wait 'til Buzz gives up his throne :-)
>
>
>
> Warren Bee
>
>
>
>
>
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