Re: [Harp-L] fame

["Rob Paparozzi" <Chromboy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

gg,

  I listened to your mp3 and was quite impressed, you obviously have the 
musical EARS, CHOPS and PHRASING to make a hit record. Unfortunately, as you 
may have seen on the Grammys last night-that is only a SMALL part of was is 
required to "make it" in the mass market.

 Chris Botti played in my band when he 1st came to NY....he is a VERY 
talented Trumpet player but so are a few thousand other Trumpeters in NYC. 
What does Chris have that they don't? Whew we could spend a lot on time on 
all this if we really wanted to analyze it.

   Probably, coming to NY was good start...it's sad but true...your just 
not gonna get to play for those "industry" people in a small town or suburb 
area...you need to BE where the action is.

However, please don't mistake that for a guarantee of success, many have 
made the trek to Nashville, NY and LA with high hopes and TONS of talent, 
only to have their egos crushed by the UGLY side of Music (usually known as 
THE BIZ!)

  The BIZ is about TRENDS & PACKAGING period....thank God though every once 
and a while a TRUE original will come along and break that trend with the 
insight of a GREAT producer. Where are the great producers hiding out???? 
you got it...location location location....and then timing and then a little 
luck won't hurt too,-)


   In Botti's case the producer is ex-Blood Sweat and Tears Drummer, Bobby 
Colomby. Bobby is the one that put Jaco on the map by producer his CBS debut 
lp. He is doing wonderful things with Chris Botti as well.

    Bruce Springsteen grew up here in the New Jersey suburbs....we played 
together in our early 20's but it wasn't til a mutual musician friend of 
ours drove Bruce in to NYC one rainy Sunday to play for an old man with a 
good track record at CBS....that he became the BOSS...that old man was the 
dad a a great bluesman and HARMONICIST(Jr.)-the late John Hammond Sr.

   I don't write all this to discourage but to ENCOURAGE you to KEEP the 
faith, NEVER quit or give up that dream....my philosophy has always been if 
you stay in this BIZ long enough you HAVE made it and good things will 
follow everyday.....forget that fast track crap...it will only frustrate and 
stand in the way of your making GREAT music which should always be your main 
focus....don't go for the GLITZ go for the GOLD....

Follow your HEART the answers in there not on Harp-L but WE will support you 
in anyway you need as we play YOUR instrument....

   My initial reaction is you need a producer and some good 
material.....also, LOSE the attitude the I'm GOOD so I deserve this more 
than anyone... THAT is a "turn off"...be yourself and yes be CONFIDENT and 
respect your comrades we are ALL in this together! I hope you found this a 
bit painful but HELPFUL ,-).....go get 'em!

Love & Peace and GOOD LUCK my Friend
Rob Paparozzi
www.myspace.com/hudsonriverrats


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "groovy gypsy" <groovygypsy@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:49 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] fame


> I was recently flipping channels and came across a concert with Chris 
> Botti.
> My wife says "you could be doing that and your music is much more
> captivating" She's right.
> Some people want aspire to be a great musician or to play with a famous
> musician. I've already accomplished that. What I haven't accomplished is
> touring the world and having thousands of people come to hear my music and
> millions of people buy my CDs.
>
> Hate him all you want but nearly everyone of you has heard of Kenny G. Who
> in the harmonica world has that amount of recognition? Kenny has defied 
> the
> musical barriers and has litterally become a household name. The world of
> harmonica doesn't have a "superstar" why? Some will say that perhaps 
> Stevie
> Wonder could be classified as such but he's not a pure harmonica player,
> he's a musician that applies his genius to the harmonica.
>
> What I believe is needed is somebody who can crossover into the pop world.
> Who do you know that has the ability to do that? Who has a sound that can
> add to pop music? Not ANY of the major blues players IMO.  Bonfilio
> definitely could but that not his focus. There are other players in both 
> the
> diatonic and chromatic world that have had opportunities but because of
> personality and or character issues they have failed.
>
> Think how each and every one of you would benefit from a person that has
> gained credible notoriety in the music world?  The harmonica world needs
> somebody to light the way for the instrument to jump from the toy box to 
> the
> arsenal of top shelf musical producers. I find it very interesting that
> almost all of you rolled your eyes at the possibility that I could 
> actually
> be a good player before you heard the sample. Is it really true that so 
> many
> of you hold such low expectations for your chosen instrument? I put it out
> there for anyone to judge and not one negative comment came back. You are
> should be the most critical so, if that little sample passes your ear then
> it should be a breeze to "wow" the mainstream.
>
> I mentioned before I believe in the power of community. If there is one 
> guy
> that can make it why not help that person achieve the goal for the greater
> good of yourself and the instrument? If you believe I'm the guy then I
> humbly and respectfully ask for your help.  If the consensus thing it's
> somebody else then let's as a community help that person. It's been proven
> the harmonica is a legitimate instrument capable of expression in all 
> genres
> of music, so let's not allow it to sit in the dark any longer. Help me
> become famous and I will light the way for all those that want to follow.
> thank you. gg
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l