Guess I Touched a Nerve (Fear and Loathing on the Melodica Bulletin Board)
Well, I guess it had to happen sooner or later, I've been flamed. My post "Why Only Germany Gets to Hear the Hooters" resulted in this seemingly over-reacting response.
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:19:08 -0400
From: Name Omitted at Writer's Request
Subject: A COMPLETE OUTRAGE!!!!!
Personally, - I really don't think that Rob or Eric should have to address anyone about their personal financial business - especially on the internet. Where does anyone on this list come off asking that Rob & Eric should have to answer questions about how much they get paid for shows. That is a completely out of line question. Back when I did bookings for my friend Blake's band - If you asked me how much we got for a show and were someone just off the street (fan or not) and even slightly pushed about it I would tell you to "kiss me $#+". Bottom line. You did far worse that quoting a source without permission - you made a completely baseless statement that comes from an outright biased disgruntled source with no confirmation of any of the facts. DAN RATHER!!!! This all goes back to that pressure and desperation from some of you that you are putting on this band and it is really sad........Sorry but that is how I feel. Leave it alone and be cool. Keep all this up and they might just not play anywhere around here ever again. I can't believe that you would pull a Dan Rather and print something here that you have no valid proof of other that what some knucklehead at U of Penn would tell you. The person that told you all this stuff - is this someone that has been hounding Cornerstone for the last couple of years and is mad because they don't want to deal with him and quoted him a super high price to get him to leave them alone.??? Who cares whether they're committed to the music. What does that even mean? They are committed to their art; their craft which means that they play music (and do it for a living). It also means moving on with your craft and moving on in life and trying different things. Come on - Rob & Eric are like 50 years old each with families / children - the whole 9 yards. What do you want from them. It's an outrage (I feel like Johnnie Cochran here..) that you would ask that they explain their financial activities out in the open. Some of you out there still feel that this band (who hasn't had a new studio album outin 12 years) owes you something. Take some time and think about it......This is really negative attitude kickin from some people here..................Be Cool...That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...........
**********************************************************************
I should note here that after my original post, I received a private email from another member of the bulletin board suggesting that I send my question directly to the band members and provided their email addresses. I thought this was a good idea and so I did send a note to Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman. I never did hear back from them personally, but one or both of their emails apparently went directly to Cornerstone Management who replied within the hour with a fairly lengthy response that they specifically requested not be posted to the bulletin board. Although Cornerstone stated that the dollar figure I had quoted was incorrect and made the case that the economics of live performance are more complicated than it would seem to an outsider, they said nothing to dispute the notion that a high price is the reason for no local gigs.
After further consideration of being flamed and of the discussion that ensued, I posted this final thought on the matter.
From: "William Kates" <wkates@hotmail.com>
To: <Melodica@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 11:54 PM
Subject: Why Only Germany Gets to Hear the Hooters
I sincerely apologize to anyone who took offense to my last post. If not for the strong and loyal support of their Philadelphia area fans in the early years, there might not have been a CBS contract, MTV airplay, and the resulting international distribution that allowed them to develop the large German and European audiences that made the last two summers' reunion tours possible. In light of two summer tours overseas with no local shows, I think the local audience has cause to feel abandoned, without being called crybabies and worse. I'm not asking to know anything about the group's finances, however it's been mentioned on this board more than once that the band would like to play locally but the economics will not allow it. I do regret mentioning the unverified dollar figure, but regardless of the exact amount, what I heard is totally consistent with the previous posts here on this board. I'm well aware of the potentially complex economics of mounting a tour, but as someone who has seen many a great club show, I'm sure the guys know that they don't need tractor trailer loads of sound and lighting equipment to play live - there are probably a dozen or more local venues where the band could just bring their instruments and play, and I can't believe it would not be profitable to all concerned. As a long time fan of these musicians and their music I wish them only the best, I don't wish to invade anyone's privacy and I certainly never meant to offend anyone, but I also don't think it's in any way out of line to want to know why only Germany gets to hear the Hooters.
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 27 Oct 2004 20:19:08 -0400
From: Name Omitted at Writer's Request
Subject: A COMPLETE OUTRAGE!!!!!
Personally, - I really don't think that Rob or Eric should have to address anyone about their personal financial business - especially on the internet. Where does anyone on this list come off asking that Rob & Eric should have to answer questions about how much they get paid for shows. That is a completely out of line question. Back when I did bookings for my friend Blake's band - If you asked me how much we got for a show and were someone just off the street (fan or not) and even slightly pushed about it I would tell you to "kiss me $#+". Bottom line. You did far worse that quoting a source without permission - you made a completely baseless statement that comes from an outright biased disgruntled source with no confirmation of any of the facts. DAN RATHER!!!! This all goes back to that pressure and desperation from some of you that you are putting on this band and it is really sad........Sorry but that is how I feel. Leave it alone and be cool. Keep all this up and they might just not play anywhere around here ever again. I can't believe that you would pull a Dan Rather and print something here that you have no valid proof of other that what some knucklehead at U of Penn would tell you. The person that told you all this stuff - is this someone that has been hounding Cornerstone for the last couple of years and is mad because they don't want to deal with him and quoted him a super high price to get him to leave them alone.??? Who cares whether they're committed to the music. What does that even mean? They are committed to their art; their craft which means that they play music (and do it for a living). It also means moving on with your craft and moving on in life and trying different things. Come on - Rob & Eric are like 50 years old each with families / children - the whole 9 yards. What do you want from them. It's an outrage (I feel like Johnnie Cochran here..) that you would ask that they explain their financial activities out in the open. Some of you out there still feel that this band (who hasn't had a new studio album outin 12 years) owes you something. Take some time and think about it......This is really negative attitude kickin from some people here..................Be Cool...That's my story and I'm stickin' to it...........
**********************************************************************
I should note here that after my original post, I received a private email from another member of the bulletin board suggesting that I send my question directly to the band members and provided their email addresses. I thought this was a good idea and so I did send a note to Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman. I never did hear back from them personally, but one or both of their emails apparently went directly to Cornerstone Management who replied within the hour with a fairly lengthy response that they specifically requested not be posted to the bulletin board. Although Cornerstone stated that the dollar figure I had quoted was incorrect and made the case that the economics of live performance are more complicated than it would seem to an outsider, they said nothing to dispute the notion that a high price is the reason for no local gigs.
After further consideration of being flamed and of the discussion that ensued, I posted this final thought on the matter.
From: "William Kates" <wkates@hotmail.com>
To: <Melodica@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 11:54 PM
Subject: Why Only Germany Gets to Hear the Hooters
I sincerely apologize to anyone who took offense to my last post. If not for the strong and loyal support of their Philadelphia area fans in the early years, there might not have been a CBS contract, MTV airplay, and the resulting international distribution that allowed them to develop the large German and European audiences that made the last two summers' reunion tours possible. In light of two summer tours overseas with no local shows, I think the local audience has cause to feel abandoned, without being called crybabies and worse. I'm not asking to know anything about the group's finances, however it's been mentioned on this board more than once that the band would like to play locally but the economics will not allow it. I do regret mentioning the unverified dollar figure, but regardless of the exact amount, what I heard is totally consistent with the previous posts here on this board. I'm well aware of the potentially complex economics of mounting a tour, but as someone who has seen many a great club show, I'm sure the guys know that they don't need tractor trailer loads of sound and lighting equipment to play live - there are probably a dozen or more local venues where the band could just bring their instruments and play, and I can't believe it would not be profitable to all concerned. As a long time fan of these musicians and their music I wish them only the best, I don't wish to invade anyone's privacy and I certainly never meant to offend anyone, but I also don't think it's in any way out of line to want to know why only Germany gets to hear the Hooters.
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