[Harp-L] contests

David Payne <dmatthew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> · Thu, 5 Nov 2009 09:34:19 -0800 (PST)

I was pretty happy (still am) about getting second place in West Virginia, which is the most important place in the world for me, I'm more proud of that than my first in Ohio, just cause it's my home state. 

But the deal is, it doesn't matter who wins contests, what matters is they exist, because we've got to get the harmonica out in the general public for the community to grow. That's something that needs to be kept in mind both for hosts and competitors. Back when the harmonica was popular, there were contests everywhere. I'm convinced for the instrument to regain its popularity, it needs to get onto the streets and in the county fairs.
 I know situations such as earlier described in the "an accomplishment" thread might keep people from wanting to be the host of a contest, while things like the Hohner championship in Trossingen and Seydel Open in Klingenthal will be around whatever happens, it's the smaller contests that are fading and perhaps most important. I don't have a club, it's just me, along with some great folks who come to judge, putting on my contest. I, as host of it, reserve the right to tell people to shut the hell up if something gets out of hand. But that's never happened. I have never had a major problem with anybody unhappy with a judges decision at my contest, the Ohio River Valley Harmonica Championship, but then I don't know who could second guess with a straight face the judges I had: Jason Ricci (2008) or Phil Caltabellotta and George Miklas (2009). 
I don't think it's so much a problem on the local level. I've never seen anything but smiles at contests, whether my own, or somebody elses.
 It's not easy making a contest happen, but it's vital to the future of the instrument.

Dave
___________________________
www.elkriverharmonicas.com

----- Original Message ----
From: David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wed, November 4, 2009 2:24:42 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: An accomplishment

Well stated, Jerry, I'd rather play with good people than good musicians, if they are not one and the same.  

And I differentiate between mean-ness, on one hand, and petulance/insecurity, on the other.  the former  I find intolerable, the latter is usually  (hopefully) a passing stage of growth.  

We all  know plenty of good people whose egos are  wrapped up in their music, yet are generally nice, generous people, even as they slap at perceived slights.   

Christelle has always been the latter, to me and in my observations, anyhow,  and I don't abide hearsay...

Dave "Due Process" Fertig 

--- On Wed, 11/4/09, Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: An accomplishment
To: "David Fertig" <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 9:40 AM

#yiv436396709 p {margin:0;}Perhaps, but I do support those who (IMO) treat others poorly or are bad actors.

I will never read Mien Kampf regardless of the prose, nor do I  think Roman Polansky should be let off the hook because of his films.  When Mel Gibson came off as an anti-Semite, I avoided his films until I was sure he was contrite, and then with caution.

Send a message with you ears, and do not support those who YOU think are out of line, regardless of their ART.

Jerry
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Fertig" <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 10:13:28 AM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: An accomplishment

Oh, now,  Christelle is no more idiosyncratic than many of us, another issue perhaps but my point is don't confuse the artist with the art, one may listen to her music and ignore  her musings, or be amused by them, although that may seem a bit cruel...but when  one bares one's soul and sensitivity one must accept a few slings and arrows, real or perceived.  And move on, as Christelle will do, she will grow and evolve, if she (and we) gives herself  a chance. "Time heals all wounds, and wounds all heels."

I just listen to the music y'all play, I don't need no heros or monsters in my musicians, just fun, maybe a little magic.

Ok, a lot of magic, as our dear departed Norton Buffalo has shown.

-Dave "Harpdini" Fertig

--- On Wed, 11/4/09, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx <harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Forwarded Message: [Harp-L] Subject: Re: An accomplishment [Harp-L] Subject: Re: An accomplishment
                Tuesday, November 3, 2009 11:01 AM

            From: 
            EGS1217@xxxxxxx

                To: 
                harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
                Not sure if everyone knows, yet...but it seems Ms. Berthon came in 2nd at  
Trossingen. Quite an accomplishment by any harmonica player's standards. I'd 
 guess 75% or better of the players here would be ecstatic by placing 2nd.

However, it seems it wasn't a good enough placement for her. She's very  
upset and stating that she isn't going to play for a long time now due to her  
anger at the judges  denying her what she seems to believe was her  first 
place win - and tells her fans they should blame the judges  (and even write 
to them to complain about being deprived of her music) - or am I  
misunderstanding what's written in the margin? (click on 'more info'  there).

_http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UFD_ImcaU_ 
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UFD_ImcaU) 

The judges were: Joe Filisko, Jerry Portnoy, Carlos del Junco, 'Marcos' and 
 'Henry'. She also expresses her disgruntledness over JJMilteau never  
telling her she was a good musician.

I give up. I've decided that for me, personally...the continuing drama  
isn't worth spending further time watching any videos she might post in the  
future even though I was once a big fan of her playing. So I'm done and  am 
cancelling my subscription to her YouTubes.  

 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4UFD_ImcaU)  

Elizabeth
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