Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Christelle: THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Hi Christelle...that was a lovely response.  proving even more how  much you 
belong...but i have to explain one point (well two points) where you're  
absolutely not right ;)
 
when you write: "I'm a NO ONE harp  
player. My play is not perfect  at all"
 
first...that is not true.  You ARE very much a harp player of  note.  You're 
now on most people's radar...of favourite players.  I am  not exaggerating, or 
'schmoozing' you by giving you compliments.  I truly,  absolutely love your 
sound..and what you can do with the instrument. I've  attended 8 and this SPAH 
will be my 9th convention...listened to a lot of  players (from all over the 
world, btw)...and I'd rank your ability very highly  on the scale, indeed. You 
may think you're not anything special..and that  humility of yours is 
appreciated, and very nice and sweet...but you're incorrect  when you think you don't 
have a special gift.  You do!
 
I'm going to 'out' him in this post by telling you that after I felt  such a 
thrill by discovering your music, I forwarded some of your  youtube videos to 
SmoJoe.  He wrote back and asked if I'd REALLY listened  to you...not just 
listened but really heard you play...and how he  would cross the street to listen 
to you  even if (a very well-known  and highly respected player over here) 
was on this sidewalk.  He was as  complimentary about your abilities and playing 
as I am.
 
That's high praise indeed  coming from him, because he has very good  ears, 
and I consider him one of the unsung treasures of Spah...I wish HE  would play 
more...but the people who count do know just how good he is.   It's a matter 
of finding the right slot for him..and timing.  So many good  players, but some 
stand out..YOU stand out.  You don't think you do because  you're somewhat 
isolated and not exposed to the people we see and  hear ...at a typical 
convention.  
 
I've heard a lot less talent, versatility and 'gorgeous sound' from many  
previously invited guests of spah...and from people who are continually invited  
as guests...I've heard major 'flubs' or mistakes in their playing of 
particular  songs...no one seems to mind and they keep being invited back to Star 
onstage,  so there still is hope that someone important in the organization will 
hear you  and understand why we so wish you could be on their radar too.
 
Like Smokey...i'm willing to 'pay more' as well...if it meant bringing  
someone of your caliber for us to meet and hear play. I very much like his idea  of 
a 'special fund' to bring people like you to the conventions.  Such as  Jason 
too, since he and his band have never really been subsidized as far as I  
know...(except for 2007 when he was a guest of spah by himself)...but before  
that he had always paid his own way as well as his Band's salary and their stays  
at the Hotel...and they've attended seminars and shows, and played backup for 
 people, despite existing on a very tight budget. So there are deserving 
people  to bring to Spah...and perhaps more of us ordinary people should express 
our  opinions...give input, stop staying on the sidelines and actually  
communicate with those who are running things at Spah...they  can't know unless we 
tell them..
 
  ..and to SmoJoe: there are cheaper fares..I just found some  ranging from 
$1,620 to the $1,900 range round trip from Paris to St. Louis for  those days, 
but I'm not sure Paris is the closest airport...I looked up her town  and it's 
in the Loire valley (if I'm reading the map correctly).
 
I don't know the protocol of finding talent in other countries that  has been 
in effect for a while - someone from SPAH would have to  answer that. 
 
The reality is that most musicians don't make good money in the  States by 
playing harmonica.  Venues here pay very little....and  people who attend shows 
don't want to pay to hear the musicians play...they'd  rather spend their 
money on multiple beers than put money into the tip jar  (which more often than 
not pays for the musicians' food and lodging), or pay a  cover charge. It's a 
'want something for nothing' attitude. Patrons of  clubs and bars seem to 
believe that the music is part of their 'drink'  bill...when the owners of the clubs 
are actually giving ridiculously low  amounts to the bands/groups...sometimes 
barely enough to warrant their gas and  tolls to get to the show.
 
 Occasionally there is someone who plays in a particular town and  does 
continual gigs as a musician for one or two regular  places ...so that works well 
(Randy Singer comes to mind)(you'll like  his music, I believe...smooth jazz on 
a chromatic: 
 
_Click here: Randy Singer -  Harmonicas, Vocals & Guitar_ 
(http://www.randysinger.com/main.html)  
 
 
.....or some who play wedding band gigs who can make a decent enough  living, 
but the average blues player probably has a job during the day to  pay his or 
her bills...or does something else besides playing...such as  customizing 
harmonicas or working with amps. Blues is not on the 'radar' of the  wider public 
here, which is also why I appreciate that you can play not  only Blues but 
just about any other style of song and music you like.   Being versatile is a 
very good thing, to my mind.
 
..I personally love ballads and your approach there has completely altered  
my thinking. Before, I thought most ballads sounded far better on a chromatic.  
Now I realize some people can make them just as beautiful (if not more) on  a 
diatonic.
 
Secondly..Jason would never make comments on your videos 'just to be nice'.  
Trust me about this.  He genuinely thinks you're very good, or would not  have 
said so.  He has the ears of a perfectionist too.  So trust your  
talent..you're brimming over with it. WE are excited by it. You may believe  you're no 
one ..sitting at home alone so far away making these videos for  us...but the 
sound emanating from your harmonica...getting out to the world is  just 
beautiful, and deserves a wider audience.
 
et merci ma jeune amie
 
Elizabeth



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