Re: Re: [Harp-L] fame

["Bob Laughlin" <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I would pay, not to be Kenny G.

Actually, I have already paid for not being Kenny G.

For if I were Kenny G.

Kenny G. would have to be me.

It's a trade-off.

The cost of being Kenny G. is just more than I can muster. I love my
anonymity too much, and the relative freedoms that come with it.

by the way, the "gas prices" statement was tongue-in-cheek, though I have a
feeling that there's probably a lot of factors driving gas prices. Supply
and demand. More demand, less supply, higher prices. Low demand, high
supply, lower prices.

BL
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 7:34 AM
Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] fame


> Bob Laughlin wrote:
> > Let's assume that the harmonica becomes an instrument of great
> > reknown, and awesome popularity.
> >
> > What effect will that have on harmonica prices worldwide? I kind
> > of wish no one had invented the internal combustion engine. Gas
> > would still be cheap.
>
> I'm sorry, but this doesn't make any sense.  If no one had invented
> the internal combustion engine, you'd be buying gasoline from guys
> with no day job, cranking it out in their garage or bathtub for
> $100/gallon.  It's only because of huge worldwide demand that we
> have an infrastructure that pumps oil out of the ground in one
> place, ships it half way around the world to a refinery to make it
> into gasoline that gets shipped to gas stations on every corner
> where you can buy it.
>
> How much more popular should the harmonica be?  It's already
> arguably the biggest selling instrument in the world.  Just because
> it's popular doesn't mean most people play it well.  Look at all the
> guitars sitting in closets around the world.  I have two guitars and
> I don't play worth a crap.
>
> I agree with GG that the harmonica has never had a breakthrough pop
> personality on the scale of a KennyG (love him or hate him, everyone
> knows his name).  I don't think there are many people who want to be
> that person.  You know, KennyG paid his dues too.  He played for
> years in Barry White's orchestra.  He didn't really become widely
> known until his third or fourth studio album.  And he didn't have to
> legitimize his instrument to the public.
>
> Trouble is, there's a huge community of "I didn't know you could do
> that with a harmonica" people out there.  I see them every time I
> play.  People who wander up and examine my kit to see what it is I'm
> playing, believing it is the microphone or something that's making
> the sound that's not quite like a trumpet or a saxophone or a
> clarinet.
>
> You also have to remember that fame isn't just about the music.
> Women (and probably some men ;-) swooned over KennyG's curly locks
> and romantic demeanor, just like they do with Chris Botti.  It's all
> about marketing.  Want to be famous?  Find a promoter who thinks
> there's something in it for them, and they'll take you for the
> ride.  First stop will be the salon for a makeover and the gym for a
> conditioning workout.  The music part's in the bag (except for some
> minor timing issues); work on the rest of the package.
>
> -tim
>
>
>
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