Re: [Harp-L] Pocket full of Soul Kickstarter appeal

[Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

As I recall it, this was the film company that asked professional 
musicians compete against each other to give them free music AND 
surrender all rights to that music.  Now they want us to help kick in 
money, too.

Why do they need Kickstarter money?  Because some people would laugh in 
their face if they asked them to work for free.

I try to maintain a cheery demeanor when posting to Harp-l.  I lose all 
cheer when I hear about this never-ending project.  I don't know if the 
filmmakers are making a quarter from this, or if they ever will.  Heck, 
I don't doubt that they love harmonica.

Advice: when someone says "I can't pay you, but at least you'll get 
exposure!!!" run far away.  And when they add "And we need you to pay 
for the privilege", run across oceans if you have to.

Story: I've done hundreds of free sessions for actual friends, to help 
them get going. When people have gotten deals I have always gotten 
paid.  Some of my friends paid me later, when I didn't even expect it. I 
have probably been paid 'later' a hundred times.

Then there was this one person I had been helping for 20 years. Her 
songs were incredible, her voice was as good as I have ever heard, but 
she had had hard luck in the music business, making three albums for 
major labels that didn't go big.  But she got her shots.  I played on at 
least a dozen demos for her over the years.

One day she called me up and asked me if I'd play on a show she was 
doing at a shopping mall.  That sounded like a paying gig to me, so I 
asked her for more information.  She said she was getting $600 and 
there'd be a five piece band - all amazing players that I knew or knew 
of - and it really sounded like fun.  I asked her how she was splitting 
the take, and she said "Well, that's the thing. I can't afford to pay you."

I responded "You can obviously afford to pay the other guys."

And she said, "Yeah, but I HAVE to pay them."

I had known this woman since we were kids, but I dropped her as a friend 
at that moment.  It kept my head from exploding.

The producers of this documentary aren't getting free work from the 
non-harmonica players.  "We HAVE to pay them!"

And now they're asking you to pay them instead.

Run run run.

I admire Glenn Weiser, and recommend one of his books, the fiddle tunes 
for harmonica book. I recommend it right here and now.

Back when I wrote him to ask how I could get a copy of the book, he 
didn't respond by sending me a freebie.  He sent me information on how 
to send him the full price of the book, which I was more than happy to 
pay, happier after I received the book.  I'm sure he's not making a 
nickel from the filmmakers, he's just doing them a favor.

Buy his book instead of giving those guys any money.

Ken


On 8/22/2013 4:09 PM, Glenn Weiser wrote:
> Folks-
>
>
> I am posting this on behalf of the producer of the upcoming harp documentarty Pocket Full of Soul, who is appealing for Kickstarter funding for this project.
>
>
> Glenn Weiser
> Web: www.celticguitarmusic.com
>
> Glenn:
>
> I am writing for some assistance.  I am the Producer of Pocket Full of
> Soul.  We just launched a Kickstarter campaign and could use some
> support for this harmonica film.  We only have three weeks left.
>
> http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1716059712/pocket-full-of-soul-the-harmonica-documentary
>
>
> Will you help spread the word? Please send emails to your fans, update on
> Facebook, tweet, whatever.  We really need the support.
>
> Our website is www.pocketfullofsoulmovie.com
>
> Thank you,
>
> Todd
>   
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2013.0.3392 / Virus Database: 3209/6340 - Release Date: 05/20/13
> Internal Virus Database is out of date.