I think the open mic was terrible!

[mazz]

I agree with Jimi's post above.Come to think of it, in years past they did put on a surprise concert, last year was Steve Seskin and the lady that wrote "I Hope You Dance" (her name escapes me now, sorry) and her husband. They went on about 9, played for an hour and then back to the open mic. It was very cool and inspiring. Maybe that could come back next year?Mazz

[daniel481]

I just wanted to chime in and say that Jon Brion would be awesome Maybe Jason Falkner, too??

[sgs4u]

Quote:Casey and Ted, if it will make you feel better I'll gladly go back up and delete my posts. If nothing else you've helped me understand a little better what the point of that open mic is supposed to be... and it's clearly not what I thought it was going to be as a Rally newbie. I hope you guys got to know me enough at the Rally to know I'm not out to knock anyone else down. -b Steve Sticking up for Stick. . I don't go to open mics. I know exactly what I'm missing. When music I really don't like is playing, it's like barbed fish hooks are sinking into my skin, and I have to remove them (painfully) before I can get back to work. Everyone has a right to believe in themselves, but I don't have to listen. Nor am I required by law, or etiquette, to say anything nice about it. Stick didn't say anything nasty, he simply expanded on a thread and gave his version of what he witnessd. If you remember, Stick even offered to play piano for any forumers, before we all went to LA. I thought that was a brilliant idea, and I felt strangely envious & competitive. Some people get bent out of shape easily, that obviously includes me. But let's save the circling shark mentality, for the knobs, that truly deserve it. Get off the scapegoat bandwagon. For all of you who think our friend was too harsh, relax a bit before you condemn someone who brings a ton of clout, information and love to this forum. We're all a bit giddy from last weekend, and all pumped up. I can admit, I was subjected to more than a few bits of music I didn't enjoy. I was pretty quick to raise my hand to turn them off, too... Is it a really surprise that open mic participants chosen at random, are a cross section of performers that is less exciting to listen to, than what lifer musicians wanna be around? Hardly... Perhaps you think some of us full-time musicians live in musical glass towers. I can't speak for Brian, but I paid enough of those kinds of dues. So, here I stand, a far more out-spoken and easier, rounder target to aim at. Wanna make something of it...? It's hard to hit Stick, he lives up to his name, and he's a prince of a human being. (and I'm quite positive he'd rather have this subject disappear quietly, than for me have to take any of you outside....)

[sgs4u]

Ooh, what a fabulous song that is. My wife made a screen saver thingy to that song with pics of our family. We all cry when the chorus starts... I'm very sorry I missed their performance, but I had a few opportunities to swap fish stories, if ya know what I mean.Doh, that was last year... my bad. I was way too dumb last year, and didn't know much about the rally, except for a premonition of this weird and delightful "Rally Love", which I'm happy to now be part of.Quote:Quote:...and the lady that wrote "I Hope You Dance" (her name escapes me now, sorry) and her husband....You mean Tia Sillers and Mark Selby:http://markselby.com/tia.html&http://ww ... sillersTia wrote IHYD with Mark D. Sanders

[Casey H]

Quote:Guys, I'm sorry to be coming off like I must be... I'm really not trying to be a jerk about this. (FWIW, I didn't start the thread, but thoughtlessly jumped on the bandwagon.) Of course it's good for inexperienced performers to gain experience. Of course not everyone is going to be awesome. Of course you learn about yourself and others when you put yourself out there. My hang up is the choice of venue for putting yourself out there. Is the TAXI convention with hundreds of musicians the best place to try out a song for the first time? The place to figure out where the cord goes into your guitar? The place to play a song with your guitar frightfully out of tune? Yeah, all these happened while I was sitting there watching. Casey and Ted, if it will make you feel better I'll gladly go back up and delete my posts. In fact I'm going to just edit out my poorly chosen language and leave the ideas for something that would be more interesting TO ME in place of that time at the Rally. I certainly don't want to be discouraging to anyone, but encouraging to those that are trying to get better. And I'm at the top of that list. If nothing else you've helped me understand a little better what the point of that open mic is supposed to be... and it's clearly not what I thought it was going to be as a Rally newbie. I do appreciate that we can discuss and help each other understand even with the communication barrier that this style of conversation imposes. I hope you guys got to know me enough at the Rally to know I'm not out to knock anyone else down. -bStick: No worries, my friend. Even good friends sometimes see things differently... sometimes for a moment in time on a message board. It was so great to meet you at the rally. And, as you said, you didn't start the thread. Please don't feel attacked. I was "stick"-ing up for those who played at the open mics and the people (TAXI-folk) who organized them.Steve: Thanks for "stick"-ing up for the Stick... Casey

[Casey H]

Quote:Well, one day I'm gonna make it to the Rally so I guess I'm curious......what is everyone's expecations of the open mic? I thought an open mic was simply a place where anyone could get up and do their bit. Maybe drawing from a hat somehow changed that expectation? We would expect YOU to play the piano with 8 arms, or don't even bother showing up... Casey

[Casey H]

Quote:ok so some of u are upset, but why should we all lie that everyone is good or made the effort.in my life i only get told the truth. so thats the way it should be. does simon cowells tell the bad acts on american idol that they're good for effort.... nah, not in the real world.only your families will like your efforts... no-one else.so if your good keep doing what u do.if your bad then dont give up the day job. Simon's JOB is to give that type of feedback and the performers come there expecting it.You were not giving honest feedback to a friend who asked for it. You broadly said the whole thing was "terrible", to use your word.There is a difference between honesty and knowing when not to say anything at all... e.g:"Hi Honey... Your hair looks like sh*t today and those pants make you look fat...[** SMACK **].... But honey, I was just sharing honest, open communication with you..." (He never heard the shot) Casey

[squidlips]

Quote:Quote:Well, one day I'm gonna make it to the Rally so I guess I'm curious......what is everyone's expecations of the open mic? I thought an open mic was simply a place where anyone could get up and do their bit. Maybe drawing from a hat somehow changed that expectation? We would expect YOU to play the piano with 8 arms, or don't even bother showing up... CaseyOkay, okay, I'll stay home. Is anyone gonna post pics, ever, do you think? I'm kinda wondering what all y'all look like when you're not squished in an avatar.

[squidlips]

Quote:ok so some of u are upset, but why should we all lie that everyone is good or made the effort.in my life i only get told the truth. so thats the way it should be. does simon cowells tell the bad acts on american idol that they're good for effort.... nah, not in the real world.only your families will like your efforts... no-one else.so if your good keep doing what u do.if your bad then dont give up the day job. Truth changes from one person to the next and is based on perception. Music is subjective. Simon might have a grasp of what is professional but he's not long on imagination. For evidence of that, you can check out chits post ("for anyone who gets discouraged") on this same forum. In regard to the open mic, it sounds like people went to it with different expectations and were alternately disappointed (like you) or satisfied (like Ted) with the results. Perhaps Taxi can change that but honestly, I wouldn't go changing things around to suit every person's whims. Maybe a one-night pro open mic for those who find newbie songwriters to be a grind but then you'd miss the debut of someone really great. It's an interesting situation. Songwriters aren't often great singers but I must say, I agree with stick in that at least the guitars should be in tune. At least the song should be somewhere in the neighborhood of a submission if they're performing live for potential deal-makers (I don't know if any were sitting in the audience but I'm assuming that's why people volunteered for the open mic).

[Casey H]

Quote: Is anyone gonna post pics, ever, do you think? I'm kinda wondering what all y'all look like when you're not squished in an avatar. Well, I will tell you that when you meet Stick in person, you find that he really does have both eyes open. Casey