The music business should be much bigger than it is. But the old guard running on fumes is running on self-interest and there's no vision. Usually we rely on artists for vision, but as a result of income inequality the best an the brightest don't go into music and the "artists" we do have are brands, the penumbra is more important than the essence. The clothing brand, the fortified water, if you can make a buck, they say yes. Which is kind of interesting, because that's how we got into this snit, because it used to be you could make big bucks in the music industry, whereas today you can't. Sure, you can make millions, but techies and bankers make much more. Then again, they tend to be skilled. The great thing about music is there is no barrier to entry, but that does not mean we need lowest common denominator.
1. The Charts
It's ridiculous. The labels utilize them for bragging rights, it's an insiders' game, but the public is exposed to the chart every week in the media. This is not the pure dollar chart of film, that's the streaming numbers. Rather this is a manipulated chart of streams and sales, but it's even worse, now you get to number one by add-ons, tickets, merch, to the point where the chart is completely meaningless. Truly. It's a disservice to our business, because for many people that's the touchpoint they experience.
2. Streaming Top 50
If streaming is the new radio, isn't there a responsibility to expose the public to new artists?
Oh, they call that the playlist. Where you have to wade through excrement to get to the good stuff.
We need a new chart that will illuminate that which is happening even if it's not streaming tonnage. Don't tell me about the viral chart, the backwaters, I'm talking front page. The streaming service has a responsibility to break artists.
3. Streaming Top 50-2
It's all hip-hop, and fifty percent of the public hates hip-hop. So they're left out?
4. Tour numbers
This is what the public should be seeing. But they don't. Except for year-end totals. If you see something is happening in Denver or across our country, you're inclined to check it out.
5. Tower of Babel
People want to belong, they want to converse about music. But with so many niche acts, however large, this cannot happen.
6. The acts themselves.
No one is shooting for the moon, no one is saying no. I'll say it another time, Adele is so big because she said no. At first she played small buildings, paperless. She turned down sponsorships. And she's still white hot. Sam Smith played arenas on his first tour and suddenly he's ice cold. It's about building a fan base that will support you.
7. Acts 2
The business people run the business, not the acts. I know, I know, we keep paying fealty to the acts, but believe me, no one's so hot that they can't be replaced. Taylor Swift was big before she went pop. Then she lost the plot, she was suddenly me-too. Foo Fighters are working class at best. All the acts listen to their handlers. And the handlers want to get paid! So they tell the act to do things against their interest, the manager can always get another act, as for the act itself...good luck reinventing yourself.
So what we need is a handful of acts that have universal mindshare based on their music. Kanye has turned into a cartoon. It's more about sneakers than tracks. The music needs to stand on its own legs. But we are not encouraging those acts, because we're too involved in milking the past and brand extensions of those with any mindshare. So the music business thinks it's winning, when the truth is it's losing, it keeps edging further and further from top of mind. At best, the music is grease, background for a videogame. It used to be primary, but to be primary the track has to be exceptional and everybody has to get behind promoting it.
The Grammys are completely irrelevant. Because of the Balkanization of the business. No one is a fan of all these acts. Expect ratings to be horrific. The Grammy organization is on its way to cult status, especially after CBS fails to renew its TV contract. There are too many categories with too many awards. But a bright spot is Brandi Carlile. This is the future of the business. She's been around for years, was on a major label and then not.
But then she recorded "The Joke."
It only takes one track, but it's really hard to write and record one. But somehow, despite being a non-player in the traditional infrastructure, the TV, the press, the stuff labels do that is ignored, Brandi succeeded via word of mouth, like Chris Stapleton before her. Meanwhile, everybody in Nashville keeps lauding Stapleton but on the coasts we're into edgy crap that most people can't relate to. But Brandi can sing and wrote a song with a message that she executed extremely well.
This used to be the formula. We were looking for home runs.
Now a bunt suffices. Most of the acts selling few tickets don't deserve to sell more, the music isn't good enough.
As for what we call home runs... It's positively niche.
If Brandi wins, it'll be like Bonnie Raitt thirty years ago. People who had no interest will glom on to the music. But they're not glomming on to most of what we're purveying, ever wonder why?
We're setting our sights too low.
No one is willing to sacrifice.
It's still a street business in a tech era.
We need more acts that can appeal to more people. It's just that simple. And when we've got them, the music business will matter once again. Right now it's cruising along, raining down bucks, but it does not matter.
Not that anybody in the business will acknowledge that.
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Friday, 7 December 2018
Thursday, 6 December 2018
Ticketing Is Broken
Jamie said the customer doesn't want to know about the fees, they're scared off if the fees are baked into the ticket price.
Jake said baby bands can't develop because sometimes the fees are as much as the tickets.
A promoter said he had a show with seven pre-sales, and the end result was thirty tickets sold.
Marc said the biggest issue was awareness, people don't know tickets are available. Meanwhile, Metallica sells fifty percent of their tickets before the general on-sale.
Greetings from Aspen, Colorado, where attendees are experiencing the twenty third iteration of what is now called Aspen Live. It used to be called the Aspen Artist Development Conference, back when labels sent their people and records were the music business driver. I ask you, how can Drake be the streaming victor and be unable to sell tickets in certain markets? Were the prices too high, or is live a separate sphere from recordings.
On the dais was David Marcus, a bigwig at Ticketmaster.
I was the interviewer and first I got his history, going to law school, hustling as a sole practitioner, working for music startups, then gigs at Ticketmaster and Warner, back when Lyor said every deal had to be a 360 one, to getting blown out after Lyor was axed, to working at ScoreBig, which failed. He had to cope with the failure, it's tough. And then going back to Ticketmaster, with a different owner, heading up the concert/artist division.
And David laid out pretty clearly how he was working with acts to further everybody's happiness and career. He said it was about identity, we don't know who our customer is. Amazon does. And if we know who has the ticket and quash the bots...
But the fees are high because the venues take the money, from Ticketmaster, as an advance. The public is clueless as to this.
And the emphasis on the secondary market can halt primary ticket sales. And although Ticketmaster keeps touting the efficacy of Verified Fan, no one outside the company believes in it, and Ticketmaster won't reveal the secret sauce.
So you know who is left out?
THE CONSUMER!
Ticketbastard, that's what it's called.
But Ticketmaster is only one part of the obfuscation food chain. Hell, who knows where they're gonna be a year from now, better to sit at home and buy your ticket on StubHub the day before the show. Sure, you'll pay more, but you'll sit where you want, and you can always get a ticket.
But the public is ignorant too. People think they should be able to sit in the front row for sticker price for every show. IGNORE THEM!
And people buy extra tickets not knowing you cannot compete with the brokers, no way. List your ticket online for $100 and the brokers will underprice you at $99.99, instantly. That's technology folks.
In other words, we've got the business we want, totally opaque, working for us.
But the consumer can't understand it. Never mind the government, which is lobbied by the secondary market whenever policies are questioned.
And there's this belief that we can continue to raise the prices and the public will tolerate it because they need to go and experiences are king.
FOR HOW LONG?
People would rather sit at home and watch the NFL on the big screen. That's what hi-def and 65" screens delivered.
Any business that is consumer unfriendly is headed towards destruction.
That's what Napster taught us. People don't want to pay twenty bucks for one good track on a CD.
Napster gave them an option.
Right now there is no option for tickets.
But the wheel always turns, change always comes.
Look at it this way, while we fought the future we ended up with fifty percent of recorded music revenues. You've got to disrupt yourself. This industry is afraid of change.
Meanwhile, the skiing is great.
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Jake said baby bands can't develop because sometimes the fees are as much as the tickets.
A promoter said he had a show with seven pre-sales, and the end result was thirty tickets sold.
Marc said the biggest issue was awareness, people don't know tickets are available. Meanwhile, Metallica sells fifty percent of their tickets before the general on-sale.
Greetings from Aspen, Colorado, where attendees are experiencing the twenty third iteration of what is now called Aspen Live. It used to be called the Aspen Artist Development Conference, back when labels sent their people and records were the music business driver. I ask you, how can Drake be the streaming victor and be unable to sell tickets in certain markets? Were the prices too high, or is live a separate sphere from recordings.
On the dais was David Marcus, a bigwig at Ticketmaster.
I was the interviewer and first I got his history, going to law school, hustling as a sole practitioner, working for music startups, then gigs at Ticketmaster and Warner, back when Lyor said every deal had to be a 360 one, to getting blown out after Lyor was axed, to working at ScoreBig, which failed. He had to cope with the failure, it's tough. And then going back to Ticketmaster, with a different owner, heading up the concert/artist division.
And David laid out pretty clearly how he was working with acts to further everybody's happiness and career. He said it was about identity, we don't know who our customer is. Amazon does. And if we know who has the ticket and quash the bots...
But the fees are high because the venues take the money, from Ticketmaster, as an advance. The public is clueless as to this.
And the emphasis on the secondary market can halt primary ticket sales. And although Ticketmaster keeps touting the efficacy of Verified Fan, no one outside the company believes in it, and Ticketmaster won't reveal the secret sauce.
So you know who is left out?
THE CONSUMER!
Ticketbastard, that's what it's called.
But Ticketmaster is only one part of the obfuscation food chain. Hell, who knows where they're gonna be a year from now, better to sit at home and buy your ticket on StubHub the day before the show. Sure, you'll pay more, but you'll sit where you want, and you can always get a ticket.
But the public is ignorant too. People think they should be able to sit in the front row for sticker price for every show. IGNORE THEM!
And people buy extra tickets not knowing you cannot compete with the brokers, no way. List your ticket online for $100 and the brokers will underprice you at $99.99, instantly. That's technology folks.
In other words, we've got the business we want, totally opaque, working for us.
But the consumer can't understand it. Never mind the government, which is lobbied by the secondary market whenever policies are questioned.
And there's this belief that we can continue to raise the prices and the public will tolerate it because they need to go and experiences are king.
FOR HOW LONG?
People would rather sit at home and watch the NFL on the big screen. That's what hi-def and 65" screens delivered.
Any business that is consumer unfriendly is headed towards destruction.
That's what Napster taught us. People don't want to pay twenty bucks for one good track on a CD.
Napster gave them an option.
Right now there is no option for tickets.
But the wheel always turns, change always comes.
Look at it this way, while we fought the future we ended up with fifty percent of recorded music revenues. You've got to disrupt yourself. This industry is afraid of change.
Meanwhile, the skiing is great.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
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--
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Tuesday, 4 December 2018
Capturing The Zeitgeist
You had to watch SNL, because it reflected our generation, it was the only place you could go to experience television that had the viewpoint of the boomers, where music was a staple building block and irreverence was baked-in. You felt alone until 11:30 Saturday night. And the time slot was reflective of the dividing line between young and old. The oldsters in charge didn't want to give away a valuable time slot, and the youngsters were still up at that hour, when the oldsters were not.
I was watching SNL Saturday night, because Felice likes to and I was doing my back exercises, and I didn't laugh once. The jokes were broad and the formula the same. That's what makes the show so retro. David Bowie and Madonna reinvented themselves a number of times, while their contemporaries who did not faded away. Maybe Weekend Update has to come first. Maybe there is no musical segment. Maybe it's not about skits.
Meanwhile, Lorne Michaels is lauded by a press that thinks the show has impact, touting its efforts every Sunday and Monday, when the truth is the action is elsewhere.
We're all looking for a home. And we denigrate those who are locked into the past, doing it the usual way. This is why you derided the girls hooked on pop. This is why the vinyl test was given in "Diner," which made the film legendary. And "Animal House" tested limits. And...
Everything today is me-too or is clamoring for undeserved attention.
Nobody involved in the original SNL was inexperienced. Chevy Chase was 32! You could see him and Belushi in "Lemmings" Off-Broadway, and I did. Kinda like the "National Lampoon" itself, when it got it right, it captured the zeitgeist.
As did Live Aid. Which was when the MTV generation was crowned.
Or Michael Jackson with the "Thriller" video on the same channel.
And Ice-T telling us the reality of what was going on in the hood.
Or Mark Zuckerberg creating Facebook. Suddenly, we could all connect!
And then it all fades. Zuckerberg today is a zero, not a hero. And seemingly everybody I know never goes on Facebook anyway.
And not only is Ice-T an actor, rap is pure entertainment with villains and heroes akin to wrestling.
And Michael Jackson lost it as soon as he insisted on being called "The King Of Pop." That's not how it works, WE ANOINT YOU!
And once video became an on demand item online, we deserted MTV and it faltered.
Now for the last twenty years, the internet captured the zeitgeist. We were addicted to gadgets, new platforms, and then it all went kaput. It got consolidated, your old gadgets were good enough. Sure, there are still breakthroughs, but none like the iPod, which had everybody excited.
And then there were the Beatles, who wrote ditties and then amped it up and blew our minds. Unlike SNL, they weren't happy resting on their laurels, repeating themselves, they wanted to explore, and they took the rest of the world with them, to drugs, meditation, a way of looking at the world through glasses our parents couldn't locate.
So what we are missing in music is artists that capture the zeitgeist.
We used to have a slew of them. Kurt Cobain. Alanis Morissette...a woman singing her truth with angst, she owned the airwaves!
But then the delivery method eclipsed the music and for twenty years, music has been a sideshow.
You know who captured the zeitgeist? Donald Trump! He rounded up all those left behind, all those fearful of immigrants, all those angry at minorities, and he said the unsayable, again and again and again. He ended up looking authentic, which Hillary did not. Once again, even though I voted for the woman, when she claimed the Bible was her favorite book, I winced. Don't tell me what you think I want to hear, tell me what you truly feel!
But Hillary is incapable, which is why she could never triumph.
But Trump believes it's the same as it ever was, that what worked two years ago will still work today. But it doesn't, ergo the Blue Wave, the takeover of the House by the Democrats...he's stuck in a rut.
I'm not saying there are not consequences, but he's lost his hold on America. He might win again via the electoral college, like Bill Maher said, he might lose and insist he won, but those states that were crucial to his 2016 victory, like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, they seem to be turning away from him. As they did in usually red Arizona.
Sure, there's a market in retro. Look at all the acts plying the boards playing the hits of yesteryear. They don't dare do something new, for fear of losing status and cash. Then there's Bob Dylan who is reinventing the songs, and Todd Rundgren who refuses to write the ditties that made him famous. I'm not endorsing their new music, but I am endorsing their tacks.
As for the media...
The papers still think they dominate when they don't. And if the "New York Times" writes one more anti-tech column I'm gonna puke. Don't upgrade your cell phone, don't upgrade the operating system of your computer, don't be an early adopter, the virtues of a flip-phone... The Gray Lady has printed all these stories recently, when the public feels just the opposite. I ain't giving up my phone, I love it! I just upgraded! The "Times" prescription leaves one hopelessly lost in the past, and where's that at, if you want me I'll be in the bar.
So for the past two plus years politics has captured the zeitgeist.
But this won't last forever.
What will be next?
Your move.
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I was watching SNL Saturday night, because Felice likes to and I was doing my back exercises, and I didn't laugh once. The jokes were broad and the formula the same. That's what makes the show so retro. David Bowie and Madonna reinvented themselves a number of times, while their contemporaries who did not faded away. Maybe Weekend Update has to come first. Maybe there is no musical segment. Maybe it's not about skits.
Meanwhile, Lorne Michaels is lauded by a press that thinks the show has impact, touting its efforts every Sunday and Monday, when the truth is the action is elsewhere.
We're all looking for a home. And we denigrate those who are locked into the past, doing it the usual way. This is why you derided the girls hooked on pop. This is why the vinyl test was given in "Diner," which made the film legendary. And "Animal House" tested limits. And...
Everything today is me-too or is clamoring for undeserved attention.
Nobody involved in the original SNL was inexperienced. Chevy Chase was 32! You could see him and Belushi in "Lemmings" Off-Broadway, and I did. Kinda like the "National Lampoon" itself, when it got it right, it captured the zeitgeist.
As did Live Aid. Which was when the MTV generation was crowned.
Or Michael Jackson with the "Thriller" video on the same channel.
And Ice-T telling us the reality of what was going on in the hood.
Or Mark Zuckerberg creating Facebook. Suddenly, we could all connect!
And then it all fades. Zuckerberg today is a zero, not a hero. And seemingly everybody I know never goes on Facebook anyway.
And not only is Ice-T an actor, rap is pure entertainment with villains and heroes akin to wrestling.
And Michael Jackson lost it as soon as he insisted on being called "The King Of Pop." That's not how it works, WE ANOINT YOU!
And once video became an on demand item online, we deserted MTV and it faltered.
Now for the last twenty years, the internet captured the zeitgeist. We were addicted to gadgets, new platforms, and then it all went kaput. It got consolidated, your old gadgets were good enough. Sure, there are still breakthroughs, but none like the iPod, which had everybody excited.
And then there were the Beatles, who wrote ditties and then amped it up and blew our minds. Unlike SNL, they weren't happy resting on their laurels, repeating themselves, they wanted to explore, and they took the rest of the world with them, to drugs, meditation, a way of looking at the world through glasses our parents couldn't locate.
So what we are missing in music is artists that capture the zeitgeist.
We used to have a slew of them. Kurt Cobain. Alanis Morissette...a woman singing her truth with angst, she owned the airwaves!
But then the delivery method eclipsed the music and for twenty years, music has been a sideshow.
You know who captured the zeitgeist? Donald Trump! He rounded up all those left behind, all those fearful of immigrants, all those angry at minorities, and he said the unsayable, again and again and again. He ended up looking authentic, which Hillary did not. Once again, even though I voted for the woman, when she claimed the Bible was her favorite book, I winced. Don't tell me what you think I want to hear, tell me what you truly feel!
But Hillary is incapable, which is why she could never triumph.
But Trump believes it's the same as it ever was, that what worked two years ago will still work today. But it doesn't, ergo the Blue Wave, the takeover of the House by the Democrats...he's stuck in a rut.
I'm not saying there are not consequences, but he's lost his hold on America. He might win again via the electoral college, like Bill Maher said, he might lose and insist he won, but those states that were crucial to his 2016 victory, like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, they seem to be turning away from him. As they did in usually red Arizona.
Sure, there's a market in retro. Look at all the acts plying the boards playing the hits of yesteryear. They don't dare do something new, for fear of losing status and cash. Then there's Bob Dylan who is reinventing the songs, and Todd Rundgren who refuses to write the ditties that made him famous. I'm not endorsing their new music, but I am endorsing their tacks.
As for the media...
The papers still think they dominate when they don't. And if the "New York Times" writes one more anti-tech column I'm gonna puke. Don't upgrade your cell phone, don't upgrade the operating system of your computer, don't be an early adopter, the virtues of a flip-phone... The Gray Lady has printed all these stories recently, when the public feels just the opposite. I ain't giving up my phone, I love it! I just upgraded! The "Times" prescription leaves one hopelessly lost in the past, and where's that at, if you want me I'll be in the bar.
So for the past two plus years politics has captured the zeitgeist.
But this won't last forever.
What will be next?
Your move.
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-TuneIn: http://tunein.com/lefsetz
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
--
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--
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From Michael Plen
Dear Bob
Hope you are well. As always, your stories have kept us all alive and motivated for years.
As I was cleaning our house up recently, i found the mimeographed Lefstez letter
that mentioned the Attack Hamster. It was surrounded by all the interesting things you loved and didn't
in a fast pace. A week later, that house was GONE.
We are the victims of the Malibu Woolsey Fire. Everything burned to ashes, Incinerated all the way thru.
Cath, Everette an I escaped with 3 suitcases and our lives. Our entire block is gone along ith 400+ other neighbors
in Malibu. After 14 days we were let back in to find only rubble. Our first view was from the sky from a drone
the 2nd was walking up to it. Heartbreaking.
I've never been one to ask, but if you could pass the GO FUND ME page our friends made for us thru
the Lefsetz world, Cath, Everette and I would be extremely grateful.
My healing is thru the work I'm doing at Ingrooves and their support along with our friends has been unbelievable.
Thank you for reading and for healing thru the years. Your words and recent radio shows have helped many a time.
https://bit.ly/2FuI6DG
sincerely
Michael Plen
--
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--
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Hope you are well. As always, your stories have kept us all alive and motivated for years.
As I was cleaning our house up recently, i found the mimeographed Lefstez letter
that mentioned the Attack Hamster. It was surrounded by all the interesting things you loved and didn't
in a fast pace. A week later, that house was GONE.
We are the victims of the Malibu Woolsey Fire. Everything burned to ashes, Incinerated all the way thru.
Cath, Everette an I escaped with 3 suitcases and our lives. Our entire block is gone along ith 400+ other neighbors
in Malibu. After 14 days we were let back in to find only rubble. Our first view was from the sky from a drone
the 2nd was walking up to it. Heartbreaking.
I've never been one to ask, but if you could pass the GO FUND ME page our friends made for us thru
the Lefsetz world, Cath, Everette and I would be extremely grateful.
My healing is thru the work I'm doing at Ingrooves and their support along with our friends has been unbelievable.
Thank you for reading and for healing thru the years. Your words and recent radio shows have helped many a time.
https://bit.ly/2FuI6DG
sincerely
Michael Plen
--
Visit the archive: http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/
--
Listen to the podcast:
-TuneIn: http://tunein.com/lefsetz
-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp
--
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--
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Monday, 3 December 2018
Unjustifiably Forgotten-SiriusXM This Week
Albums, tracks or acts that have faded into the woodwork that deserve attention/recognition.
Like Blondie Chaplin's "Lonely Traveler," have you heard it? The whole initial solo LP is fine: https://spoti.fi/2EbJmdm
Or Nik Kershaw's "15 Minutes," absolutely brilliant in sound and lyrics and it's not even on Spotify, never mind any other streaming music service! (Although you can find tracks on YouTube.)
Then there are albums by acts like the Rowan Brothers. Their initial Asylum LP was hyped heavily by Jerry Garcia, yet other than the opening track, "Hickory Day," it was positively pedestrian.
Call in or tweet your favorites!
Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday December 4th, on Volume 106, 7 PM East, 4 PM West.
Phone #: 844-6-VOLUME, 844-686-5863
Twitter: @siriusxmvolume/#lefsetzlive
Hear the episode live on SiriusXM VOLUME: siriusxm.us/HearLefsetzLive
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Like Blondie Chaplin's "Lonely Traveler," have you heard it? The whole initial solo LP is fine: https://spoti.fi/2EbJmdm
Or Nik Kershaw's "15 Minutes," absolutely brilliant in sound and lyrics and it's not even on Spotify, never mind any other streaming music service! (Although you can find tracks on YouTube.)
Then there are albums by acts like the Rowan Brothers. Their initial Asylum LP was hyped heavily by Jerry Garcia, yet other than the opening track, "Hickory Day," it was positively pedestrian.
Call in or tweet your favorites!
Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday December 4th, on Volume 106, 7 PM East, 4 PM West.
Phone #: 844-6-VOLUME, 844-686-5863
Twitter: @siriusxmvolume/#lefsetzlive
Hear the episode live on SiriusXM VOLUME: siriusxm.us/HearLefsetzLive
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Bohemian Chanukah
https://bit.ly/2FLOhU4
This is so last decade.
But it's got over a million streams in under a week on YouTube.
Now, is Article 13 gonna prevent these parodies? Beware of what you wish for. Rappers stole samples and then when rightsholders refused to license on reasonable terms, it became all about beats. Every action has a reaction, and we want more freedom, not less. But the truth is the copyright bullies, the movie studios are the worst, but music publishers are pretty bad, have crippled creativity, all in the name of more money. Meanwhile, rightsholders get paid on these YouTube parodies, but it isn't enough, it's never enough.
Now when anti-Semitism is rampant, it takes balls to let your Jewishness fly. Believe me, I've got the e-mail to prove it. But this act Six13 doesn't care, then again, this is their shtick, Jewish songs, but I've never heard of them before today, even though their bio tells me they've been on "The Today Show," "The View," CBS and CNN. Shows the power of those outlets, as in little. You see we live in a word of mouth culture, and we need a trusted filter to get us to check out ANYTHING! In this case, my nephew Blake. I clicked and...
I smiled.
You remember smiling, don't you? Back when music was about pushing limits within the record, as opposed to social media online. When acts as diverse as Allan Sherman and Frank Zappa put out music that rarely got Top Forty play, but owned living rooms and bedrooms for years. Come on, have you listened to Frank's "Status Back Baby"? It still applies today!
And the replication of the original "Bohemian Rhapsody" video...
Shows that they put in some effort. And we appreciate effort, when you take your work seriously. Now, in the big time world, people only put in the effort if they're gonna get paid. But it's those not worried about money who always gain our hearts. Humanity comes through with the creativity
And the air guitar... Obviously this is an a cappella act, they can't play.
But they can sing.
Funny how the voices are so good and the songs singable. This is a bit of what "The Voice" is selling, but the contestants want it so bad, it's a turnoff. We don't like it when you need it, when you grovel, we like it when the performance, the production, the singing, the song, is enough.
In a world of hype, it's those who don't hype, who let the work alone shine and stand for them, that we embrace.
And sure, there was a TV show about a cappella groups, "The Sing-Off," it ran for five years, and one of the winners, Pentatonix, consistently tops the chart. Think about that, they're not like everybody else, but they're winning.
So, this act made a YouTube video and it's connecting, it far outpaces their previous work, then again, they do this every Chanukah, and three years ago they broke seven digits with their "cover" of "Shake It Off," but they've been posting for seven years, that's how long it takes to get recognition in this world, far different from the pre-internet era, where if the label signed you, there was a good chance people would be aware of you, then again, would Six13 ever get signed?
I'll be looking for Six13's Chanukah song next year.
And know that you've got to satisfy yourself, you can see Six13 having fun in this video, they aren't grimacing trying to get it perfect while exhibiting their hours in the gym, they're being human, and once again, humanity resonates.
So they struck at the right time, when Queen and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are top of mind in the public sphere, but they got it right.
You too can get it right, if you stop complaining about money and focus on the art.
Then again, it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n' roll.
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This is so last decade.
But it's got over a million streams in under a week on YouTube.
Now, is Article 13 gonna prevent these parodies? Beware of what you wish for. Rappers stole samples and then when rightsholders refused to license on reasonable terms, it became all about beats. Every action has a reaction, and we want more freedom, not less. But the truth is the copyright bullies, the movie studios are the worst, but music publishers are pretty bad, have crippled creativity, all in the name of more money. Meanwhile, rightsholders get paid on these YouTube parodies, but it isn't enough, it's never enough.
Now when anti-Semitism is rampant, it takes balls to let your Jewishness fly. Believe me, I've got the e-mail to prove it. But this act Six13 doesn't care, then again, this is their shtick, Jewish songs, but I've never heard of them before today, even though their bio tells me they've been on "The Today Show," "The View," CBS and CNN. Shows the power of those outlets, as in little. You see we live in a word of mouth culture, and we need a trusted filter to get us to check out ANYTHING! In this case, my nephew Blake. I clicked and...
I smiled.
You remember smiling, don't you? Back when music was about pushing limits within the record, as opposed to social media online. When acts as diverse as Allan Sherman and Frank Zappa put out music that rarely got Top Forty play, but owned living rooms and bedrooms for years. Come on, have you listened to Frank's "Status Back Baby"? It still applies today!
And the replication of the original "Bohemian Rhapsody" video...
Shows that they put in some effort. And we appreciate effort, when you take your work seriously. Now, in the big time world, people only put in the effort if they're gonna get paid. But it's those not worried about money who always gain our hearts. Humanity comes through with the creativity
And the air guitar... Obviously this is an a cappella act, they can't play.
But they can sing.
Funny how the voices are so good and the songs singable. This is a bit of what "The Voice" is selling, but the contestants want it so bad, it's a turnoff. We don't like it when you need it, when you grovel, we like it when the performance, the production, the singing, the song, is enough.
In a world of hype, it's those who don't hype, who let the work alone shine and stand for them, that we embrace.
And sure, there was a TV show about a cappella groups, "The Sing-Off," it ran for five years, and one of the winners, Pentatonix, consistently tops the chart. Think about that, they're not like everybody else, but they're winning.
So, this act made a YouTube video and it's connecting, it far outpaces their previous work, then again, they do this every Chanukah, and three years ago they broke seven digits with their "cover" of "Shake It Off," but they've been posting for seven years, that's how long it takes to get recognition in this world, far different from the pre-internet era, where if the label signed you, there was a good chance people would be aware of you, then again, would Six13 ever get signed?
I'll be looking for Six13's Chanukah song next year.
And know that you've got to satisfy yourself, you can see Six13 having fun in this video, they aren't grimacing trying to get it perfect while exhibiting their hours in the gym, they're being human, and once again, humanity resonates.
So they struck at the right time, when Queen and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are top of mind in the public sphere, but they got it right.
You too can get it right, if you stop complaining about money and focus on the art.
Then again, it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock n' roll.
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Pushing The Envelope
The rewards are on the edge, but it's easy to fall off.
Everyone who pushes the envelope does so too soon, you always have to wait for the audience to catch up with you.
People are confounded by the new and different before they embrace it.
Legends push the envelope, journeymen don't.
Record labels used to push the envelope, now they're stuck in the present, waiting for "artists" to prove their worth online before they invest. Meanwhile, true artists go it alone, without help and many give up. Record labels are ripe for disruption because of this.
The envelope is pushed live as opposed to on record today, that is where people take risks. More people talk about Beyonce at Coachella than they do about her album "Lemonade." You had to be there, it was an experience. Ditto with David Byrne's tour. The ex-Talking Head has not released a record the masses have embraced in decades, but this tour had huge buzz. Sure, people want to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, but Byrne's a close second.
Speaking of the Boss on the Great White Way, it reinvigorated his career when he was known for playing oldies shows to acolytes. Expect the Netflix special to become legendary, unlike his recent albums and tours. Fans will watch it Day One. Their chatter and press (which works with oldsters, but is not the driver of the Byrne hysteria, that's positively word of mouth, and boomer word of mouth is slow, which is why the Byrne tour is not top of mind like it should be) will get casual fans to tune in and the film of the show will become part of the national fabric.
The more different it is every night, the more buzz you'll get, the more people will want to go. Jam bands proved this eons ago.
Drake's playlist on streaming services pushed the envelope, it made people want to check it out.
Rap beefs pushed the envelope decades ago, with the east coast/west coast wars. Today's kerfuffles are no different from the WWE, albeit with guns.
Using a TR-808 is no longer even retro, it's the epitome of me-tooism, use real drums to stand out.
You can only get away with a substandard voice if you're the best lyricist of all time, i.e. Bob Dylan. If your songs are not this good, get someone else to sing them.
If you cover a song, make it different, Joe Cocker rode this all the way to the bank.
The odds of someone under nineteen having something to say are low, they haven't lived long enough. So they can have cowriters, like Liz Rose, or you can ignore them and see them as "phenoms" jammed down your throat.
Tricks can only be done effectively once, like Radiohead name your own price, or Amanda Palmer with Kickstarter. Best to focus on the music rather than the penumbra.
Licensing or buying beats was pushing the envelope, utilizing the internet to create your music, but that's standard now.
Giving it away for free was pushing the envelope. When there is a sea change in distribution, get onboard. Go where the public is, not where you think it should stay.
Flipping the script is oftentimes revolutionary. If everyone is using machines, use real instruments, and vice versa.
Follow distribution innovations. The major players are stuck in the past, they still want to embrace television and radio, when those formats are moribund. PSY broke on YouTube. Hip-hop dominates Spotify. If there's a new way to get your message out there, employ it, as long as it's not too retro. You hear about the cassette comeback, it's a press story, not enough people have cassette players! And mainstream press is traditionally behind, like it was on Trump. If getting a record deal and your name in the paper gets you off, you're still living in the last century.
Hoovering all the money by selling tchotchkes and doing endorsements is passe. You may make some money, but you'll build cred by saying no, and cred is everything, it's what leads to a long career.
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Everyone who pushes the envelope does so too soon, you always have to wait for the audience to catch up with you.
People are confounded by the new and different before they embrace it.
Legends push the envelope, journeymen don't.
Record labels used to push the envelope, now they're stuck in the present, waiting for "artists" to prove their worth online before they invest. Meanwhile, true artists go it alone, without help and many give up. Record labels are ripe for disruption because of this.
The envelope is pushed live as opposed to on record today, that is where people take risks. More people talk about Beyonce at Coachella than they do about her album "Lemonade." You had to be there, it was an experience. Ditto with David Byrne's tour. The ex-Talking Head has not released a record the masses have embraced in decades, but this tour had huge buzz. Sure, people want to see Bruce Springsteen on Broadway, but Byrne's a close second.
Speaking of the Boss on the Great White Way, it reinvigorated his career when he was known for playing oldies shows to acolytes. Expect the Netflix special to become legendary, unlike his recent albums and tours. Fans will watch it Day One. Their chatter and press (which works with oldsters, but is not the driver of the Byrne hysteria, that's positively word of mouth, and boomer word of mouth is slow, which is why the Byrne tour is not top of mind like it should be) will get casual fans to tune in and the film of the show will become part of the national fabric.
The more different it is every night, the more buzz you'll get, the more people will want to go. Jam bands proved this eons ago.
Drake's playlist on streaming services pushed the envelope, it made people want to check it out.
Rap beefs pushed the envelope decades ago, with the east coast/west coast wars. Today's kerfuffles are no different from the WWE, albeit with guns.
Using a TR-808 is no longer even retro, it's the epitome of me-tooism, use real drums to stand out.
You can only get away with a substandard voice if you're the best lyricist of all time, i.e. Bob Dylan. If your songs are not this good, get someone else to sing them.
If you cover a song, make it different, Joe Cocker rode this all the way to the bank.
The odds of someone under nineteen having something to say are low, they haven't lived long enough. So they can have cowriters, like Liz Rose, or you can ignore them and see them as "phenoms" jammed down your throat.
Tricks can only be done effectively once, like Radiohead name your own price, or Amanda Palmer with Kickstarter. Best to focus on the music rather than the penumbra.
Licensing or buying beats was pushing the envelope, utilizing the internet to create your music, but that's standard now.
Giving it away for free was pushing the envelope. When there is a sea change in distribution, get onboard. Go where the public is, not where you think it should stay.
Flipping the script is oftentimes revolutionary. If everyone is using machines, use real instruments, and vice versa.
Follow distribution innovations. The major players are stuck in the past, they still want to embrace television and radio, when those formats are moribund. PSY broke on YouTube. Hip-hop dominates Spotify. If there's a new way to get your message out there, employ it, as long as it's not too retro. You hear about the cassette comeback, it's a press story, not enough people have cassette players! And mainstream press is traditionally behind, like it was on Trump. If getting a record deal and your name in the paper gets you off, you're still living in the last century.
Hoovering all the money by selling tchotchkes and doing endorsements is passe. You may make some money, but you'll build cred by saying no, and cred is everything, it's what leads to a long career.
--
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Sunday, 2 December 2018
Re-Kid Rock/Joy Behar
I never thought it could happen Bob, but It's official, My parade has been rained on! lol
Remember we started out on the wrong foot years back?
I am sure me and Joy have more in common than not, that is true. Wether I want to spend a morning being grilled by 4 very opinionated women is another story! Maybe if The View makes a donation to one of my favorite charities? I don't know - I have zero interest in TV, interviews, etc, these days. Either way, I understand this is just the news of the hour and in the end, no one really cares! NONE of us are as important as we would like to think.
It does, however, after 30 years, still make me laugh my ass off when people ask for or book Kid Rock…. then he shows up…. and then someones upset!!!
Rock n Roll Never Forgets!!
Cheers.
Robert Ritchie / Kid Rock
___________________________________
Hear hear.
Bob, you and I are on different political spectrums, but I like that you call it no matter what. No censorship bullshit.
I like Kid Rock, more for his persona than his music and I like that he won't go down easy. These left wing media types have the biggest microphones so they think they have the license, literary and artistic, to say whatever the hell they want. And they do, daily and often. So for someone to hit back, well I like that.
The Kid, he's got quite the wit.
Best regards Bob.
Paul Lancia
Turku, Finland
___________________________________
How come no one told me about the White Trash Olympics being held this autumn? Southwest should give her a voucher for an upgrade to a double wide. This is the problem with air travel these days, when you set the prices below a certain point, anyone can fly. And therein lies the problem.
Paul Ciarlo
___________________________________
You know Bob this is why I read your emails, your defending Kid Rock where you know most in your tribe wouldn't.
Today in this crazy fucked up world, that's refreshing.
Doug Gillis
___________________________________
I know off an offspring named Sexual Chocolate.....
(First & middle names)
Just sayin...
Rjg
___________________________________
Been awhile Bob, but here I am, still reading you after all these years... The Abcde name incident made me think of a Frank Zappa quote. He famously named his kids Moon Unit and Dweezil, followed by Ahmet and Diva. Asked during a radio interview whether that peculiar indulgence might be harmful to his children he replied, "Its not their first names which are going to get them into trouble."
Spoken as the true family man he was beneath the veneer of theatrical vulgarity... he was and continues to be simply irreplaceable and greatly missed. But sometimes I think it was merciful that he didn't live to see this era of political correctness run amok.
Whatever it is you're doing here... I'm grateful, please keep doing it!
Don Rose
___________________________________
You nailed it on the name thing! My wife and I are both 1st generation Canadian children of European immigrants. Me of Portuguese ones and her of Croatian ones. When she was pregnant with our second, a boy, we had a few names we both agreed on and one that she wanted that I was dead set against for the reasons you spelled out.
Now mind you it was a traditional Croatian ethnic boy name, but the spelling vs pronunciation of it would mean my son would be going through life CONSTANTLY correcting people, if not dealing with quizzical looks to smirks all his damn life! The name? Mijo, which I know every damn person from teachers onward would say as "my-joe" until he would have to sigh, then correct then that it's pronounced "me-yo".(Eastern European J's are sounded out as a Y)
In the end the name we both settled on? Hugh. Unique enough that's it's not as common as it used to be, but also not destined to give him a headache constantly correcting people the rest of his life!
Michael Moniz
___________________________________
He wrote "Sweet Home Alabama", right? Of course it's better to pretend you're a neocon if your talent-free. When pandering to ignorant bigots you don't really need your own riff. She was right.
B word? Where were the Brits when those 3 cunts were together?
Daniel Dwyer
___________________________________
Hi Bob!
This is one of your best. And the timing is perfect... I was just having a heated discussion yesterday about "hypocrisy and human nature" with a chap that fits your description of Nugent to a tee!
Thanks for sharing!
Greg Malecki
___________________________________
Bravo!
Tom Abts
___________________________________
My mom had a kid in her class named Shithead. They pronounced it "Sh-theed".
Jeff Sackman
___________________________________
Bob,
What the hell are you saying? Jeez, take your meds before hitting the iPad.
Kirk Bonin
___________________________________
Trump's actions and rhetoric have made us all numb...
Unless Kid truly wants a hug from Joy, I think him going on the The View would lead only to water cooler talk (brief at that).
Couldn't agree more with ABCDE, Seinfeld and "Seven" episode;
https://youtu.be/NRUdaWZ4FN0
Cya from Snowy Syracuse
Steve Anderko
___________________________________
Well I certainly agree with O'B on the Abcde name -
Ernie Pinder
___________________________________
Well said Bob!
Bill Jackson
___________________________________
Elton. The B is back,
So what!!!!!
Neil Lasher
___________________________________
Kid Rock is a douchenozzle. Who cares what he says, thinks or "sings"? You call that music!?
Harold Love
___________________________________
1. You're kidding aren't you, being sarcastic, when you label "bitch" the "b-word"? I really hope so.
2. As for the name Abcde, you got it right. The mother was all about her own ego and no consideration for her child going forward. I remember WAY back in the day - when Ann Landers wrote a column about names people give their kids.
She singled out a bunch for criticism including "Appendicitis". She called out the parents (nicely). And published her comments in a column that ran nationally in the papers. People talked about it. And no one sided with the parents. They knew it was wrong.
As for the gate agent who put the name Abcde on social media. The agent was as insensitive and egotistical as the mother. Both got their jollies at the expense of the kid.
John Parikhal
___________________________________
All of these stories are centered around relevancy, and that's the American dream, right? To be relevant!
Mother wants her daughter to be relevant, so she gives her a name that stands out.
Joy Behar wants relevance in the ratings so she picks a fight with Kid Rock.
Truth is no one cares. If you can't handle a little name calling, you don't deserve relevance. And 99% of the population doesn't give a shit.
Brian Martin
___________________________________
Hey, Bob,
Your name is your life.
Larry Butler
___________________________________
So, you've got no time for Ms. Palin because she fails at grasping the issues. Please explain the merits of Kid Rock and his ability to grasp the issues. Examples of his depth and insight would be helpful. He does not deserve your coverage.
As for Mr. Nugent. I'm sure you recall his attraction and interaction with underage girls. Write about that as you see him standing in the Oval Office. Does his presence there seem appropriate? Also, take a few minutes to google his remarks regarding race — especially his remarks about a President Obama. And please remember his love of guns and support for the blood soaked hands of the NRA. He is a shameful man.
I enjoy your writing, but be careful how you write about politics. One wrong sentence has ended careers.
Steve Cole
___________________________________
"Life ain't easy for a boy named Sue."
Clyde Bass
___________________________________
Divide and Conquer.
NO humor in politics or racism. NO one singing about how wrong it all is. ( Gotta be a young person now)
Lies are OK. The truth doesn't matter. Which side are YOU on?
You don't have to be smart to be successful. You don't have to have talent to be famous.
Fame is a lie.
New money burns fast.
The wrong people are in charge.
The blame game is not working.
A Trillion dollars is LOT of money! People don't realize how much. How many TRILLIONS of dollars in Debt is the USA now?
How is this all working out so far?
Aint life a bitch !
Steve Lukather
___________________________________
It's simple, Bob
Biblical
We are all living in the Tower of Babel...
Nick
___________________________________
Bob,
Leave the poor Abcde girl alone. It's a beautiful name and should be celebrated.
Yours truly,
12345
(Doug Epperson)
___________________________________
David Soul! Testing the age range of your audience?
Best Lefsetz Pop Culture Reference of 2018
Ian Lee
___________________________________
Bob,
I read your latest to my dog, LMNOP, and he thought it was great. Keep it up.
Rik Shafer
___________________________________
Wait, now I can't say bitch anymore?
FML,
Michelle Jacobs.
___________________________________
Thanks Bob,another great read.Mtns are getting alot here in CO.Early snow for December.Have a great day,Ted Keane
___________________________________
C'mon Bob Rock got played by Fox's Doocey who primed the pump and then acted surprised when water came out.
David Ray
___________________________________
To quote a prolific blogger, "what kind of fucked up world do we live in" when you can't even call someone a bitch anymore?!?!
And I'm assuming Abcde's parents' names are Dipshit and HeadUpAss. Of course people will make fun of ridiculous names!!! This mom knew that and couldn't wait for some attention as soon as she could pretend to be outraged.
Tim
in Calgary
___________________________________
Would you publicly mock a child for the stupid name their ignorant parent gave them, in front of the child and in public? I know you and you're better than that. It's on par with bullying, not to mention posting on social media afterwards.
Someone's gotta be the adult in the room and this poor kid has no defense except to change their name when old enough. Bullying like this leaves lasting scars.
Melissa Ward
___________________________________
Great email.
Adrian Rice
___________________________________
Where's my like button? Tell it like it is!
Chip Lovitt
___________________________________
Re: the kid named "ABCDE".
Immediately, the Seinfeld episode came to mind, where George Costanza thought he'd like to have a son, and, he'd name him "Seven".
(George is planning to name his 1st child "Seven")
Jerry: Hmmm, "Seven Costanza". Yep, I can see it now: Seven periods of school per day, seven beatings a day, seven stitches per beating, followed by seven years to life.
Cheers
Steve Cossaboom
___________________________________
Right on!
Ron Wilson
___________________________________
Joy Behar is a piece of garbage. Bitch is too kind of a word to describe her. She can trash everyone in Washington who doesn't agree with her but being she's a liberal and a celebrity you can't turn the tables.
This country has become disgusting with the way liberals are allowed to take it over and to hell with anyone who disagrees with them.
She was happy when the White House was burned? I wish the same upon Hollywood.
Peter Boyles
___________________________________
Catch up, Bob! The word Bitch 'belongs' to women just as the 'N' word belongs to blacks. Besides, everyone knows now that the real bitches are all the whiny, entitled, patriarchal males. I love witnessing a female call her male 'friend' a bitch. It cracks me up. I saw this once, and he said to her, "Why do you have to be such a dick?" I laughed out loud right there in front of them, and then pointed out what they had just done. The gender script has been flipped. Chicks are dicks and dudes are bitches!
Like I said, it's their word now! BTW, the real bitches here are Little Lords Fauntleroy aka Kidd Rock, and Nugent (the two least talented rockers in the history of HISTORY! . . . Palin . . . she's just a Dominionist; believes humans and dinosaurs shared caves together. Remember that 1 million years BC movie poster? Now imagine it with Sarah Palin on it. Much more realistic!
Kieron K. McKindle
p.s. To all the politically correct pussies, twats, and cunts out there . . . Suck my dick!!! If we don't stop this soon we're going to have an entire alphabet of words we're not supposed to use. The 'a' word to the 'z' word. Fuck that! Trigger warnings, participation trophies, safe zones . . . I want a pet robot warrior! Preferably the velociraptor version! Here, Fido . . . sick 'em!!!
___________________________________
The first amendment means that people are free to express themselves. But it doesn't mean that they are free from any consequences of that speech. Yes, sometimes I do think political correctness is carried a bit too far. However, as someone who is relatively privileged in our society, perhaps I'm not always the best judge.
Amy Primeaux
Houston, TX
___________________________________
Not cool to laugh at any 5 year old. You'd know if you had kids.
Is Chastity any better?
Stu Cohen
___________________________________
I'm no fan of trump nor Kid Rock or the gratuitous use as an insult of the "b-word" as you say - I think Kid Rock was uncouth for calling Joy that word - but would it have made a difference if it was the reverse and someone called a guy a "prick," or should I say the "p-word"? Or should the only insult allowed be "a-hole" as everyone has one?
Also, the Stones song doesn't refer to a woman as a "bitch." Read the lyrics.
"Yeah, you got to mix it child
You got to fix it must be love
It's a bitch, yeah
You got to mix it child
You got to fix it but love
It's a bitch, alright
Nonetheless, your column is highly engaging!
-- Greg Debonne
___________________________________
I have no interest in these people, but a great commentary overall on the state of modern/stupid society.
Andy Argyrakis
___________________________________
That certainly makes sense. If I gave a rat's ass about either one of them, I might care.
Thanks, Bob. I always enjoy the newsletter.
Al Moss
___________________________________
I'll go Kid Rock one better. I'll call Joy Behar the C-word. She's nothing but a loud-mouthed blowhard who, along with most of her co-hosts, only seems interesting in spewing out her disdain for anything and anyone who doesn't lean left. And if you want to refer to Ted Nugent as "myopic" and being someone "who believes whatever he believes is right, and just can't fathom being uninformed or someone else having another opinion" that's fine too, but please remember to include people like Maxine Waters, Alissa Milano, Joy Behar, Whoopie Goldberg... you know, all of the 'morally superior progressives' who think they are so much smarter and know so much more and that their opinions count more than the rest of us.
You're not an idiot and I'm not hurt, Bob. But these people are. They are still smoldering that their entitled queen is not currently sitting on her throne at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They are the ones that openly advocate violence against people with other opinions and call for harrassment in public of conservatives who don't share the same values.
I agree - enough with all the political correctness and 'trigger warnings' - you nailed it with the statement that "this is supposed to be the land of the free, and suddenly it's not." An honest assessment will reveal where the real opposition to freedom is coming from, and it's coming from the left.
Happy Holidays
B. C. Celello
___________________________________
When you don't have the balls to say "bitch" then we are all in trouble. Throw away that copy of Sticky Fingers if you are that correct.
Joy Behar has a bully platform and has embarrassed herself eight ways to Shavuous.
Good on Kid Rock.
Jonathan Gross
___________________________________
A win for both Kid Rock and Behar & The View crew. Like you said Bob, TV is about ratings and everyone is paying attention because that's what's for sale this day.....
As far as the mom naming her kid the first 5 letters of the Alphabet, it's another attention grabber and I'm sure she was counting the days before it would pay off and she would get to go viral. I feel sorry for the kid because I'm sure she's already had her share of teasing and her parents should have been a little more sensitive to that becoming the norm for their little sweetheart.
Gen Me and very selfish people have become these days......'Sad'........
mmpoppa1
___________________________________
ABCDE story. Saw it, Saw it is pronounced abcity. I went down to the comments, which are frequently more interesting than the story. About ten comments in, I read one that said:
ABCDE has a brother. His name is pronounced Hijack and he can't fly anywhere!
D. Mark MacGillvray
___________________________________
Bob
So, we're now calling it the "B" word?
Anyone who thinks Kid Rock calling Joy Behar a "B" is "controversial" clearly hasn't spent any time reading his lyrics, specifically from his earlier work.
In one of his biggest hits (Cowboy) Rock boasts that he's going to paint the sheriff's town red and, "Paint his wife white."
Hell, Google the lyrics to that song. This was a major radio hit and was on the tamer side as far has his lyrics were concerned.
I'm a huge fan of Kid Rock. What you see is what you get.
The current liberal mindset is that, "We can say anything we want. We can deride anyone we see fit because our opinions are rooted in 'fact'. But you, sir. You watch your P's and Q's when you talk to me."
They spend their entire day blasting Trump on social media.
I have friends who are (presumably) employed, yet find time to sit on Facebook all day critiquing everything he does and tirelessly making fun of him.
And these are the same people who are STILL shocked at how this country elects a man POTUS who gets involved in Twitter wars and name calling.
I keep waiting for a lightning rod to appear.
A rock star who doesn't give a fuck about political correctness.
An old school delinquent who is so unaware of what's right or wrong and just operates on pure emotion.
And apologizes for none of it.
We need to shaken out of our stupor.
Disclaimer: I am not a sexist or any other ist. I belong to the party of common sense.
Neil Johnson
___________________________________
Bob- You're right about people retreating to their corners. Trump figured out that partisanship sells, and he can drive folks to his corner with nationalism and naked appeals to self interests using his ego to shield racism, sexism and xenophobic nationalism. In Trump, America gets the Ego it sees as power. For all those speaking truth to power, the rest of the folks just want actual power; to feel it, to smell it, and mostly to see it being used on those they deem unworthy (those PC idiots fit that mold, but so what if Ted Nugent calls obama a subhuman mongrel or trump calls the porn lady a horseface or a black female reporter stupid). They want to feel power and revel in signs of being used to show they have it too.
Now Mr Rock plays along with all that, but somehow got sacrificed on the fluffiest show. The oddity is that he got checked on Fox!!! The same network where Ted Nugent called Obama a mongrel and a Fox anchor called the Obamas trash, or nicknamed someone a "creepy porn lawyer". A Fox network anchor turned on Mr. Rock when he thought he was playing their game and they used him to appear fair. He went after a soft target who had taken a jab at him and got called out on it. Huh? Fox can't fact check a politician but can PC check Kid Rock on Joy Behar. C'mon! They used him.
If only Kid Rock had called Nancy Pelosi a bitch or called Elizabeth Warren a name or, called Maxine Waters stupid or demeaned a pornstar Trump had sex with, they would have chuckled and said whoa buddy. But nope, he settled a score with Joy Behar whose show most folks can't remember.
No surprise that Kid Rock folks are standing up to defend him. They know how Fox works and Rock was coloring inside the Fox lines. The surprise is that a soft Fox anchor called him out at the moment. Why would Fox care? Was Joy Behar not on the depth chart of those used to stoke fear and outrage that day? Kid's mistake was missing the fear mongering target of the day.
But don't worry, I fully expect the whataboutism police to exhume some incident where Joy Behar called someone a name or went to far and then excuse Rock and blame the left. Nevermind the Fox apology. Hell I bet someone on Fox will actually say Fox should retract the apology and that Joy had it coming.
Kid got used by Fox and it is still somehow the left's fault.
Trevor
___________________________________
And...in the spirit of "you can't make this shit up" Kid Rock is replaced as the Grand Marshal in the Nashville Christmas Parade by the Waffle House hero the day after the video Waffle House Christmas starring Kid Rock is released.
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Remember we started out on the wrong foot years back?
I am sure me and Joy have more in common than not, that is true. Wether I want to spend a morning being grilled by 4 very opinionated women is another story! Maybe if The View makes a donation to one of my favorite charities? I don't know - I have zero interest in TV, interviews, etc, these days. Either way, I understand this is just the news of the hour and in the end, no one really cares! NONE of us are as important as we would like to think.
It does, however, after 30 years, still make me laugh my ass off when people ask for or book Kid Rock…. then he shows up…. and then someones upset!!!
Rock n Roll Never Forgets!!
Cheers.
Robert Ritchie / Kid Rock
___________________________________
Hear hear.
Bob, you and I are on different political spectrums, but I like that you call it no matter what. No censorship bullshit.
I like Kid Rock, more for his persona than his music and I like that he won't go down easy. These left wing media types have the biggest microphones so they think they have the license, literary and artistic, to say whatever the hell they want. And they do, daily and often. So for someone to hit back, well I like that.
The Kid, he's got quite the wit.
Best regards Bob.
Paul Lancia
Turku, Finland
___________________________________
How come no one told me about the White Trash Olympics being held this autumn? Southwest should give her a voucher for an upgrade to a double wide. This is the problem with air travel these days, when you set the prices below a certain point, anyone can fly. And therein lies the problem.
Paul Ciarlo
___________________________________
You know Bob this is why I read your emails, your defending Kid Rock where you know most in your tribe wouldn't.
Today in this crazy fucked up world, that's refreshing.
Doug Gillis
___________________________________
I know off an offspring named Sexual Chocolate.....
(First & middle names)
Just sayin...
Rjg
___________________________________
Been awhile Bob, but here I am, still reading you after all these years... The Abcde name incident made me think of a Frank Zappa quote. He famously named his kids Moon Unit and Dweezil, followed by Ahmet and Diva. Asked during a radio interview whether that peculiar indulgence might be harmful to his children he replied, "Its not their first names which are going to get them into trouble."
Spoken as the true family man he was beneath the veneer of theatrical vulgarity... he was and continues to be simply irreplaceable and greatly missed. But sometimes I think it was merciful that he didn't live to see this era of political correctness run amok.
Whatever it is you're doing here... I'm grateful, please keep doing it!
Don Rose
___________________________________
You nailed it on the name thing! My wife and I are both 1st generation Canadian children of European immigrants. Me of Portuguese ones and her of Croatian ones. When she was pregnant with our second, a boy, we had a few names we both agreed on and one that she wanted that I was dead set against for the reasons you spelled out.
Now mind you it was a traditional Croatian ethnic boy name, but the spelling vs pronunciation of it would mean my son would be going through life CONSTANTLY correcting people, if not dealing with quizzical looks to smirks all his damn life! The name? Mijo, which I know every damn person from teachers onward would say as "my-joe" until he would have to sigh, then correct then that it's pronounced "me-yo".(Eastern European J's are sounded out as a Y)
In the end the name we both settled on? Hugh. Unique enough that's it's not as common as it used to be, but also not destined to give him a headache constantly correcting people the rest of his life!
Michael Moniz
___________________________________
He wrote "Sweet Home Alabama", right? Of course it's better to pretend you're a neocon if your talent-free. When pandering to ignorant bigots you don't really need your own riff. She was right.
B word? Where were the Brits when those 3 cunts were together?
Daniel Dwyer
___________________________________
Hi Bob!
This is one of your best. And the timing is perfect... I was just having a heated discussion yesterday about "hypocrisy and human nature" with a chap that fits your description of Nugent to a tee!
Thanks for sharing!
Greg Malecki
___________________________________
Bravo!
Tom Abts
___________________________________
My mom had a kid in her class named Shithead. They pronounced it "Sh-theed".
Jeff Sackman
___________________________________
Bob,
What the hell are you saying? Jeez, take your meds before hitting the iPad.
Kirk Bonin
___________________________________
Trump's actions and rhetoric have made us all numb...
Unless Kid truly wants a hug from Joy, I think him going on the The View would lead only to water cooler talk (brief at that).
Couldn't agree more with ABCDE, Seinfeld and "Seven" episode;
https://youtu.be/NRUdaWZ4FN0
Cya from Snowy Syracuse
Steve Anderko
___________________________________
Well I certainly agree with O'B on the Abcde name -
Ernie Pinder
___________________________________
Well said Bob!
Bill Jackson
___________________________________
Elton. The B is back,
So what!!!!!
Neil Lasher
___________________________________
Kid Rock is a douchenozzle. Who cares what he says, thinks or "sings"? You call that music!?
Harold Love
___________________________________
1. You're kidding aren't you, being sarcastic, when you label "bitch" the "b-word"? I really hope so.
2. As for the name Abcde, you got it right. The mother was all about her own ego and no consideration for her child going forward. I remember WAY back in the day - when Ann Landers wrote a column about names people give their kids.
She singled out a bunch for criticism including "Appendicitis". She called out the parents (nicely). And published her comments in a column that ran nationally in the papers. People talked about it. And no one sided with the parents. They knew it was wrong.
As for the gate agent who put the name Abcde on social media. The agent was as insensitive and egotistical as the mother. Both got their jollies at the expense of the kid.
John Parikhal
___________________________________
All of these stories are centered around relevancy, and that's the American dream, right? To be relevant!
Mother wants her daughter to be relevant, so she gives her a name that stands out.
Joy Behar wants relevance in the ratings so she picks a fight with Kid Rock.
Truth is no one cares. If you can't handle a little name calling, you don't deserve relevance. And 99% of the population doesn't give a shit.
Brian Martin
___________________________________
Hey, Bob,
Your name is your life.
Larry Butler
___________________________________
So, you've got no time for Ms. Palin because she fails at grasping the issues. Please explain the merits of Kid Rock and his ability to grasp the issues. Examples of his depth and insight would be helpful. He does not deserve your coverage.
As for Mr. Nugent. I'm sure you recall his attraction and interaction with underage girls. Write about that as you see him standing in the Oval Office. Does his presence there seem appropriate? Also, take a few minutes to google his remarks regarding race — especially his remarks about a President Obama. And please remember his love of guns and support for the blood soaked hands of the NRA. He is a shameful man.
I enjoy your writing, but be careful how you write about politics. One wrong sentence has ended careers.
Steve Cole
___________________________________
"Life ain't easy for a boy named Sue."
Clyde Bass
___________________________________
Divide and Conquer.
NO humor in politics or racism. NO one singing about how wrong it all is. ( Gotta be a young person now)
Lies are OK. The truth doesn't matter. Which side are YOU on?
You don't have to be smart to be successful. You don't have to have talent to be famous.
Fame is a lie.
New money burns fast.
The wrong people are in charge.
The blame game is not working.
A Trillion dollars is LOT of money! People don't realize how much. How many TRILLIONS of dollars in Debt is the USA now?
How is this all working out so far?
Aint life a bitch !
Steve Lukather
___________________________________
It's simple, Bob
Biblical
We are all living in the Tower of Babel...
Nick
___________________________________
Bob,
Leave the poor Abcde girl alone. It's a beautiful name and should be celebrated.
Yours truly,
12345
(Doug Epperson)
___________________________________
David Soul! Testing the age range of your audience?
Best Lefsetz Pop Culture Reference of 2018
Ian Lee
___________________________________
Bob,
I read your latest to my dog, LMNOP, and he thought it was great. Keep it up.
Rik Shafer
___________________________________
Wait, now I can't say bitch anymore?
FML,
Michelle Jacobs.
___________________________________
Thanks Bob,another great read.Mtns are getting alot here in CO.Early snow for December.Have a great day,Ted Keane
___________________________________
C'mon Bob Rock got played by Fox's Doocey who primed the pump and then acted surprised when water came out.
David Ray
___________________________________
To quote a prolific blogger, "what kind of fucked up world do we live in" when you can't even call someone a bitch anymore?!?!
And I'm assuming Abcde's parents' names are Dipshit and HeadUpAss. Of course people will make fun of ridiculous names!!! This mom knew that and couldn't wait for some attention as soon as she could pretend to be outraged.
Tim
in Calgary
___________________________________
Would you publicly mock a child for the stupid name their ignorant parent gave them, in front of the child and in public? I know you and you're better than that. It's on par with bullying, not to mention posting on social media afterwards.
Someone's gotta be the adult in the room and this poor kid has no defense except to change their name when old enough. Bullying like this leaves lasting scars.
Melissa Ward
___________________________________
Great email.
Adrian Rice
___________________________________
Where's my like button? Tell it like it is!
Chip Lovitt
___________________________________
Re: the kid named "ABCDE".
Immediately, the Seinfeld episode came to mind, where George Costanza thought he'd like to have a son, and, he'd name him "Seven".
(George is planning to name his 1st child "Seven")
Jerry: Hmmm, "Seven Costanza". Yep, I can see it now: Seven periods of school per day, seven beatings a day, seven stitches per beating, followed by seven years to life.
Cheers
Steve Cossaboom
___________________________________
Right on!
Ron Wilson
___________________________________
Joy Behar is a piece of garbage. Bitch is too kind of a word to describe her. She can trash everyone in Washington who doesn't agree with her but being she's a liberal and a celebrity you can't turn the tables.
This country has become disgusting with the way liberals are allowed to take it over and to hell with anyone who disagrees with them.
She was happy when the White House was burned? I wish the same upon Hollywood.
Peter Boyles
___________________________________
Catch up, Bob! The word Bitch 'belongs' to women just as the 'N' word belongs to blacks. Besides, everyone knows now that the real bitches are all the whiny, entitled, patriarchal males. I love witnessing a female call her male 'friend' a bitch. It cracks me up. I saw this once, and he said to her, "Why do you have to be such a dick?" I laughed out loud right there in front of them, and then pointed out what they had just done. The gender script has been flipped. Chicks are dicks and dudes are bitches!
Like I said, it's their word now! BTW, the real bitches here are Little Lords Fauntleroy aka Kidd Rock, and Nugent (the two least talented rockers in the history of HISTORY! . . . Palin . . . she's just a Dominionist; believes humans and dinosaurs shared caves together. Remember that 1 million years BC movie poster? Now imagine it with Sarah Palin on it. Much more realistic!
Kieron K. McKindle
p.s. To all the politically correct pussies, twats, and cunts out there . . . Suck my dick!!! If we don't stop this soon we're going to have an entire alphabet of words we're not supposed to use. The 'a' word to the 'z' word. Fuck that! Trigger warnings, participation trophies, safe zones . . . I want a pet robot warrior! Preferably the velociraptor version! Here, Fido . . . sick 'em!!!
___________________________________
The first amendment means that people are free to express themselves. But it doesn't mean that they are free from any consequences of that speech. Yes, sometimes I do think political correctness is carried a bit too far. However, as someone who is relatively privileged in our society, perhaps I'm not always the best judge.
Amy Primeaux
Houston, TX
___________________________________
Not cool to laugh at any 5 year old. You'd know if you had kids.
Is Chastity any better?
Stu Cohen
___________________________________
I'm no fan of trump nor Kid Rock or the gratuitous use as an insult of the "b-word" as you say - I think Kid Rock was uncouth for calling Joy that word - but would it have made a difference if it was the reverse and someone called a guy a "prick," or should I say the "p-word"? Or should the only insult allowed be "a-hole" as everyone has one?
Also, the Stones song doesn't refer to a woman as a "bitch." Read the lyrics.
"Yeah, you got to mix it child
You got to fix it must be love
It's a bitch, yeah
You got to mix it child
You got to fix it but love
It's a bitch, alright
Nonetheless, your column is highly engaging!
-- Greg Debonne
___________________________________
I have no interest in these people, but a great commentary overall on the state of modern/stupid society.
Andy Argyrakis
___________________________________
That certainly makes sense. If I gave a rat's ass about either one of them, I might care.
Thanks, Bob. I always enjoy the newsletter.
Al Moss
___________________________________
I'll go Kid Rock one better. I'll call Joy Behar the C-word. She's nothing but a loud-mouthed blowhard who, along with most of her co-hosts, only seems interesting in spewing out her disdain for anything and anyone who doesn't lean left. And if you want to refer to Ted Nugent as "myopic" and being someone "who believes whatever he believes is right, and just can't fathom being uninformed or someone else having another opinion" that's fine too, but please remember to include people like Maxine Waters, Alissa Milano, Joy Behar, Whoopie Goldberg... you know, all of the 'morally superior progressives' who think they are so much smarter and know so much more and that their opinions count more than the rest of us.
You're not an idiot and I'm not hurt, Bob. But these people are. They are still smoldering that their entitled queen is not currently sitting on her throne at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. They are the ones that openly advocate violence against people with other opinions and call for harrassment in public of conservatives who don't share the same values.
I agree - enough with all the political correctness and 'trigger warnings' - you nailed it with the statement that "this is supposed to be the land of the free, and suddenly it's not." An honest assessment will reveal where the real opposition to freedom is coming from, and it's coming from the left.
Happy Holidays
B. C. Celello
___________________________________
When you don't have the balls to say "bitch" then we are all in trouble. Throw away that copy of Sticky Fingers if you are that correct.
Joy Behar has a bully platform and has embarrassed herself eight ways to Shavuous.
Good on Kid Rock.
Jonathan Gross
___________________________________
A win for both Kid Rock and Behar & The View crew. Like you said Bob, TV is about ratings and everyone is paying attention because that's what's for sale this day.....
As far as the mom naming her kid the first 5 letters of the Alphabet, it's another attention grabber and I'm sure she was counting the days before it would pay off and she would get to go viral. I feel sorry for the kid because I'm sure she's already had her share of teasing and her parents should have been a little more sensitive to that becoming the norm for their little sweetheart.
Gen Me and very selfish people have become these days......'Sad'........
mmpoppa1
___________________________________
ABCDE story. Saw it, Saw it is pronounced abcity. I went down to the comments, which are frequently more interesting than the story. About ten comments in, I read one that said:
ABCDE has a brother. His name is pronounced Hijack and he can't fly anywhere!
D. Mark MacGillvray
___________________________________
Bob
So, we're now calling it the "B" word?
Anyone who thinks Kid Rock calling Joy Behar a "B" is "controversial" clearly hasn't spent any time reading his lyrics, specifically from his earlier work.
In one of his biggest hits (Cowboy) Rock boasts that he's going to paint the sheriff's town red and, "Paint his wife white."
Hell, Google the lyrics to that song. This was a major radio hit and was on the tamer side as far has his lyrics were concerned.
I'm a huge fan of Kid Rock. What you see is what you get.
The current liberal mindset is that, "We can say anything we want. We can deride anyone we see fit because our opinions are rooted in 'fact'. But you, sir. You watch your P's and Q's when you talk to me."
They spend their entire day blasting Trump on social media.
I have friends who are (presumably) employed, yet find time to sit on Facebook all day critiquing everything he does and tirelessly making fun of him.
And these are the same people who are STILL shocked at how this country elects a man POTUS who gets involved in Twitter wars and name calling.
I keep waiting for a lightning rod to appear.
A rock star who doesn't give a fuck about political correctness.
An old school delinquent who is so unaware of what's right or wrong and just operates on pure emotion.
And apologizes for none of it.
We need to shaken out of our stupor.
Disclaimer: I am not a sexist or any other ist. I belong to the party of common sense.
Neil Johnson
___________________________________
Bob- You're right about people retreating to their corners. Trump figured out that partisanship sells, and he can drive folks to his corner with nationalism and naked appeals to self interests using his ego to shield racism, sexism and xenophobic nationalism. In Trump, America gets the Ego it sees as power. For all those speaking truth to power, the rest of the folks just want actual power; to feel it, to smell it, and mostly to see it being used on those they deem unworthy (those PC idiots fit that mold, but so what if Ted Nugent calls obama a subhuman mongrel or trump calls the porn lady a horseface or a black female reporter stupid). They want to feel power and revel in signs of being used to show they have it too.
Now Mr Rock plays along with all that, but somehow got sacrificed on the fluffiest show. The oddity is that he got checked on Fox!!! The same network where Ted Nugent called Obama a mongrel and a Fox anchor called the Obamas trash, or nicknamed someone a "creepy porn lawyer". A Fox network anchor turned on Mr. Rock when he thought he was playing their game and they used him to appear fair. He went after a soft target who had taken a jab at him and got called out on it. Huh? Fox can't fact check a politician but can PC check Kid Rock on Joy Behar. C'mon! They used him.
If only Kid Rock had called Nancy Pelosi a bitch or called Elizabeth Warren a name or, called Maxine Waters stupid or demeaned a pornstar Trump had sex with, they would have chuckled and said whoa buddy. But nope, he settled a score with Joy Behar whose show most folks can't remember.
No surprise that Kid Rock folks are standing up to defend him. They know how Fox works and Rock was coloring inside the Fox lines. The surprise is that a soft Fox anchor called him out at the moment. Why would Fox care? Was Joy Behar not on the depth chart of those used to stoke fear and outrage that day? Kid's mistake was missing the fear mongering target of the day.
But don't worry, I fully expect the whataboutism police to exhume some incident where Joy Behar called someone a name or went to far and then excuse Rock and blame the left. Nevermind the Fox apology. Hell I bet someone on Fox will actually say Fox should retract the apology and that Joy had it coming.
Kid got used by Fox and it is still somehow the left's fault.
Trevor
___________________________________
And...in the spirit of "you can't make this shit up" Kid Rock is replaced as the Grand Marshal in the Nashville Christmas Parade by the Waffle House hero the day after the video Waffle House Christmas starring Kid Rock is released.
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