Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica cutting contest at SPAH

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Jul 27, 2007, at 11:04 PM, George Brooks wrote:

> Sorry if I came down hard, Phil.

I didn't get that impression at all. I also agree with YOU on some of  
your points. They are quite valid.

>   If it's a friendly and low key affair you had in mind, I  
> certainly wouldn't call it a cutting contest.

Agreed.

>   Those two words have an established meaning, and it's anything  
> but friendly and low key.

Agreed.

>   But even putting the label aside, my personal belief is that a  
> formal competition would go against the spirit of SPAH.

Which IS? (spirit I mean)

>   If it were simply a matter of letting the audience form its own  
> opinion about the performances I would have no reservations, but  
> you proposed having judges, who would presumably declare winners  
> (and, by necessary implication, losers).

Agreed. I (personally) don't believe in judges. I have always  
maintained that harmonica players aren't good or bad, but DIFFERENT.  
A good player can have a bad night, a bad player can have a good  
night. I don't believe in judges. In my 27 1/2 years or working with  
the legal system, I have met very few judges that come up to my high  
standards. My first question would be: "Who are these judges"?

Bear with me here for a second. And please don't get the wrong idea.  
This is all hypothetical. I'm not being arrogant. Just making a  
point. Let's say that I play something in jazz. Why should I be  
judged by someone who I consider less accomplished than I (not that I  
AM, you understand). But just saying.  #1. I would want jazz oriented  
judges. #2. What if I do country western?, pop? Same deal. I would  
want judges who understood what I was doing.

I am currently active with 2 groups with 5 to 8 other musicians. I do  
not have a 'singleton' act, I don't use computer generated background  
( or chips). I am not good enough to play alone BUT I don't think I  
could be judged by someone who is not active, and doesn't cover the  
same range of stuff that I do, or is a judge because of past laurels.

>   I do not fault you at all for raising the idea - this forum is  
> all about open discussion.  I just think it's a bad one.
>
> George
>
> p.s.  Smo-Joe is just in favor of the idea because he'd win.

George, you ARE a treasure, but you know that's not true. You have  
heard me.  I love you anyway buddy.
smo-joe
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