If you've posted in forums you might remember writing some decent responses. I usually spend a lot of time polishing my discussion forum responses depending on the subject or who I am talking to. Often I want to remember what I said about something, but finding the original post can be difficult. So it makes sense to capture the better responses for later review. Welcome to Clint's Reposts.Thursday, August 05, 2004
When musicians talk politics
In response to this post:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=79106&messageid=1091756226
Very good Brad. I had not considered the viewpoint that Springsteen and company are at least being upfront about staging political song fests instead of sliding politics into their concerts unannouced, as Dixie Chicks and Linda R. and some others did.
I admit to being miffed that some song artists I previously admired would taint their craft with political blah, blah, blah. I thought to myself "how can they be so freaking stupid to not support an all out assault on terrorism." But your position made me think about it a bit deeper.
Regarding unannounced politicizing in general - if I were to, for instance, go out on a job for a company I work for, and during the job continually brought up what an ass Bush or Kerry was, I doubt I would last long working for that company.
Self employed musicians of course have the luxury to say whatever they want, when they want on stage (or off); but please let's not hear them whine about their sponsor shutting them down when they are doing a job for a sponsor and continue to spout a polarized viewpoint. If they want to do their own anti Bush gigs like Springsteen, fine, I support their right to do so.
But alas, the damage is done with me regarding some musicians. Several have forever been diminished to me because of their political position. Whenever I hear them, I can't help but think about who they are via their politics. The excellence of their music starts to take a back seat to their political position. That sucks.
I suppose it's human to feel that way.
-Clint
http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=79106&messageid=1091756226
Very good Brad. I had not considered the viewpoint that Springsteen and company are at least being upfront about staging political song fests instead of sliding politics into their concerts unannouced, as Dixie Chicks and Linda R. and some others did.
I admit to being miffed that some song artists I previously admired would taint their craft with political blah, blah, blah. I thought to myself "how can they be so freaking stupid to not support an all out assault on terrorism." But your position made me think about it a bit deeper.
Regarding unannounced politicizing in general - if I were to, for instance, go out on a job for a company I work for, and during the job continually brought up what an ass Bush or Kerry was, I doubt I would last long working for that company.
Self employed musicians of course have the luxury to say whatever they want, when they want on stage (or off); but please let's not hear them whine about their sponsor shutting them down when they are doing a job for a sponsor and continue to spout a polarized viewpoint. If they want to do their own anti Bush gigs like Springsteen, fine, I support their right to do so.
But alas, the damage is done with me regarding some musicians. Several have forever been diminished to me because of their political position. Whenever I hear them, I can't help but think about who they are via their politics. The excellence of their music starts to take a back seat to their political position. That sucks.
I suppose it's human to feel that way.
-Clint
