Jackson Free Press

Im really just venting here, but Im mad as HELL. As an artist that fights vigorously for the careers of our local and regional artists here (of ALL genres), its CRIMINAL that we continue to allow events like the Crafish Boil to come to town and not support our local talent. From what I can tell from reading the schedule there is NO local band playing this year's event. I believe last year they had ONE.
The bulk of the sponsors of this event are local businesses or businesses with branches here (93.9, Miller Lite etc.) and its time we as artists and Jacksonians start letting these folks know that they either need to support our bands or do business elsewhere. Im sick of this! Thousands of people will grace the fair grounds this weekend. They will spend god-knows how much money on food, beer, and merchadising and NOT ONE Mississippi band will get the opportunity to gain that much needed exposure!
If you're reading this and are an artist I urge you to boycott this event this year. It may be nothing more than a symbolic gesture because Im sure this event will be well atteneded but perhaps enough voices will cause some type of change next year.. This is a slap in the face to bands like Storage 24, Living Better electrically, Abscense of concern, no Lesser Beauty, Circus of the Seed, The outsiders, Try Force, and I could name more.

....Daniel, are ya out there? Im a committee member of the collective now and we need to DO something about this!!!!!

Previous Comments

ID

112590

Comment

This is really a travestty people and it affects the entertainement scene as a whole. It sets us back everytime something like this happens. To the untrained eye, it may not be THAT big of a deal but indeed it is! If these festivals, radio stations, and the like are NOT giving a platform to home-grown talent...they need to go!

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-03T10:15:32-06:00

ID

112591

Comment

considering Jackson is off the concert path and we rarely get national acts here......................

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-03T10:19:01-06:00

ID

112592

Comment

This is a package show going to three cities put together by a Birmingham promoter. Check out the schedule on their website. Same name for the event, website and nearly the same lineups for Jackson, Birmingham, and Nashville. A local band would have to make a very strong case for their drawing power to get on a show like this.

Author

Drexel73

Date

2007-05-03T11:10:21-06:00

ID

112593

Comment

Its not an issue of making a strong case at all. the fact that this pkg or any other that comes to this town is going to be making a substantial amount of money off this city. Local acts, especially those with established drawing power, should not have to ASK to be included on a pkg of this sort especially when the sponsors (rock 93.9) in particular are here everyday. It's a cop out in my opinion. we should require them to do it as a service to our talent. This definitely NOT the way to promote art or artists from here. the radio station shouldnt have let it slide and the other sponsors shouldnt have allowed without saying "Hold up, you MUST do this" ..We get national acts here often 'Fish. Rock AND rap. it's just that local promoters end up falling over their own feet like giddy schoolgirls when talking to established acts. they turn into groupies and fall for any line band's promoters throw. It should be deemed a privelege for these acts to be asked to come here and play. Letting a few local bands open is a small thing to ask. Plus it helps that band gain more fans that could actually catipult him/them to that next level.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-03T11:30:47-06:00

ID

112594

Comment

"..We get national acts here often 'Fish. Rock AND rap" Wait, what???? What do you consider national?

Author

colby

Date

2007-05-03T12:25:07-06:00

ID

112595

Comment

how many concerts did we have at the coliseum last year?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-03T12:37:38-06:00

ID

112596

Comment

how many concerts did we have at the coliseum last year? kingfish If I may add... That weren't Country or Rap. ;-)

Author

pikersam

Date

2007-05-03T12:51:07-06:00

ID

112597

Comment

We'll never get Alice Cooper here at this rate. :(

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2007-05-03T13:14:47-06:00

ID

112598

Comment

For starters, No promoter should have to put any band he doesnt want on any bill he doesnt want to put them on. the crawfish boil is all private money, the city of jackson doesnt have one cent invested into it. as for as rock 93 being a local sponsor......the dont play local bands at all, they played absence of concern last year for a very short time & they do some crappy show for 15 minutes on saturday nights at 11pm when most people are already in the club. And for that point, the people of jackson dont get out and support local bands on a weekely basis so why should a major promoter waste his time & money putting them on a show? Dont get me wrong I own a club here and book local acts all the time and im personally friends with you and most every local band here in town. But last month i had a band booked every week in april and lost money on every show because people in this town are like sheep and would rather run and go see a cover band at fire than a good original band anywere else. also in these type situations, the production issues that adding local bands cause to a show that already has national acts with major production can be a fucking nightmare. heres a solution for this problem. they should get more local sponsors to pay for a smaller secondary stage to put the local on in between the main stage acts and then charge the bands to play just like rappers charge opening acts to play......Id sponsor that stage!! oh yeah rock 93 sucks!! I hope i didnt come across like i was trying to be an ass, i just wanted togive you the other side of that story..

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-03T14:20:39-06:00

ID

112599

Comment

you're right clay no promoter should be forced to do something when its their money. But STRONGLY suggesting that they do so can be done. and on the club level its a different scenario. but im speaking on shows the magnitude of the Crawfish Boil or Jubilee Jam or farish St. fesitval where national names are already going to draw a crowd. It is there that it is crucial that we encourage those folks to give opportunity to home-grown bands. the exposure will be priceless. Im against charging ANYONE to play anywhere and have spoken out against the practice. It's simply not right to have to PAY to play anywhere. But clay, you've reallybeen trying to help that and have been for years. You're a part of the solution. Im not fond of cover bands myself. To me, why the hell would I want to seesome knockoffs play KISS songs for example. If I cant see KISS meaning Gene, Paul, Ace, and Peter then I dont need to hear em. And yes Rock 93.9 is criminal in their lack of support for local bands. they are part of the problem and the reasonfolks look on local bands with disdain.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-03T15:42:13-06:00

ID

112600

Comment

I dunno. Collective Soul plays ozzy better than Ozzy right now.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-03T16:03:18-06:00

ID

112601

Comment

Cool, im glad I didnt come across the wrong way in that statement, damn blogs & message boards take any and all personality and compassion out of your voice when you type on these things. Im defanitely against the pay to play option, the one option that i do like is giving the bands or groups a certain amount of tickets to sell for each of there performances or in a situation were you can get good exposure offer to sell the band a certain number of tix at half price to sell to there fans, friends & family. I know i personally hate giving a local band gaurunteed money because they seem to get lazy and think the dont have to promote anymore. too many groups think they can just postit on myspace and that all it takes. i wanna see people back on the streets with real flyers talking to real people!!

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-03T16:23:45-06:00

ID

112602

Comment

yeah but collective soul doesnt make a living playing other peoples songs, speaking of which... I think its so messed up that venues are the ones that have to pay the ascap/bmi fees when its the cover bands that are making the fortune off playing other peoples music.... sorry, just a quick rant

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-03T16:28:40-06:00

ID

112603

Comment

I'm just surprised Collective Soul is playing in Jackson again. When they played Jubilee Jam a few years back, some idiot threw a beer can and hit the lead singer.

Author

James Hester

Date

2007-05-03T20:08:49-06:00

ID

112604

Comment

Same guy that hit David Lee Roth when van halen played here decades ago? :D

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-05-03T20:25:00-06:00

ID

112605

Comment

typical for Jackson. these dumbass rednecks throw crap at the bands. Why do you pay 30 bucks a ticket and then throw objects at them? I was at Aerosmith when someone spit on Tyler. Then there were the fights and the stabbing at Bon Jovi. Or AC/DC where they were throwing stuff at the band.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-03T20:27:15-06:00

ID

112606

Comment

I remember jon bon jovi getting hit with a bottle and saying they would never come back and they havent, that was on the slippery when wet tour. last year at the crawfish boil some dumbass kid threw something at the singer of p.o.d and they jumped in the crowd on him.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-03T23:35:50-06:00

ID

112607

Comment

I remeber a huge brawl at the cinderella concert on the long cold winter tour. Then there was another brawl at the RATT concert at the coliseum also. All these rednecks with no home training just dont know how to act in public. dont get me wrong, i've had my moments of stupidity but I like the bands i go see in concert and would never throw anythng at any of them.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-03T23:38:35-06:00

ID

112608

Comment

the funny part is I go to concerts in La. where they sell alcee-hol at the concerts, no problems. I go to them here where it is banned and the necks don't know how to act.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-04T07:11:48-06:00

ID

112609

Comment

I think you would see less stupidity if they sold aclohol here instead of people getting so loaded in the parking lot and loosing there buzz about half way thru a concert. if they sold alcohol inside the coliseum people could attempt at drinking in moderation

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-04T10:11:35-06:00

ID

112610

Comment

that has always been my theory.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-04T10:24:56-06:00

ID

112611

Comment

Kamikaze, have you considered starting an event of your own where you could feature local bands? Maybe it would work for you since you're already in the business.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-04T11:29:35-06:00

ID

112612

Comment

And Rap concerts get all the bad press for being violent. Interesting...

Author

urbangypsy

Date

2007-05-04T11:47:22-06:00

ID

112613

Comment

Hey, urbangypsy. Haven't heard from you in a while. Whazzup? :-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-04T12:02:59-06:00

ID

112614

Comment

HEY LW! I have been swamped at work. You know- no rest for the do gooders. But I will officailly be resurfacing at the Chick Ball. I have been trying to keep up with all the blogs though. Just to frustrated to comment. My last comment was meant to be tongue cheek btw. well, sort of...

Author

urbangypsy

Date

2007-05-04T13:33:35-06:00

ID

112615

Comment

HA!!! you punks don't know what a violent concert is. hell's angels

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-04T13:42:33-06:00

ID

112616

Comment

Ray: here ya go. sammy great number by him. Save it if you like it. No telling when youtube will take it down. Its been on there before and been removed.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-04T14:35:15-06:00

ID

112617

Comment

..."Kamikaze, have you considered starting an event of your own where you could feature local bands? Maybe it would work for you since you're already in the business." ..L.W. I HAVE and DO. frequently. Its my personal crusade and one of the goals of the MAP coalition to shine more light on our local talent. One of those things is the new open mic night Ive started at Total. But there must be a symbiotic type of relationship with club owners and big venue promoters to give local bands a chance to get on in front of big crowds. They simply have to do better and one way to make them understand is to hurt their pocketbooks. by bans and boycotts of some venues and certain "radio stations" which has been discussed. You can't keep taking our money and throwing us scraps.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-04T15:53:40-06:00

ID

112618

Comment

There's another way for bands to do it: get better.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-04T15:57:17-06:00

ID

112619

Comment

..L.W. I HAVE and DO. frequently. Its my personal crusade and one of the goals of the MAP coalition to shine more light on our local talent. One of those things is the new open mic night Ive started at Total. But there must be a symbiotic type of relationship with club owners and big venue promoters to give local bands a chance to get on in front of big crowds. They simply have to do better and one way to make them understand is to hurt their pocketbooks. by bans and boycotts of some venues and certain "radio stations" which has been discussed. You can't keep taking our money and throwing us scraps. Oh, okay. I was not sure if your coalition did something like that already or not.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-04T19:13:45-06:00

ID

112620

Comment

Here's my thought. Local bands are....LOCAL. You can see them every weekend at a dozen different bars and clubs. If you want people to turn out in big crowds at festivals and spend money, you've got to have national acts. My favorite memories of Jubilee Jam involve Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, etc.

Author

James Hester

Date

2007-05-04T21:07:02-06:00

ID

112621

Comment

'Fish...Balderdash! There are MANY great bands here who on a weekly basis put the groups they are opening for to shame. They ARE good and just as good as the bands that get thousands to come here and play. The only difference is they have a major deal and bands here do not. Can't let you diss 'em like that. Ill put Storage 24, Abscence of concern, and Colour Revolt up against any band on that bill! The problem is their not given the platform flat out. It has nothing to do with their talent 'Fish. try again.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-06T12:24:59-06:00

ID

112622

Comment

And James, you necessarily have to have a lot of national acts for a festival to be successful. The fact that Local bands can be seen every week is a misnomer. To me its an excuse not to give them billing on events like the crawfish boil. Its all about the confidence and hype that promoters and local radio stations put on events. Im in the biz and fans for the most part can be told what to like and what's hot. You probably know as well as I do. If radio and clubs here started treating the talent with the respect they deserve(and I mean the GOOD ones with actual ability to make it on the next level)then you will see folks flocking to see them regardless of how many times they play. They simply need to do better.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-06T12:28:49-06:00

ID

112623

Comment

A good topic Kaze - first off - Fish, that remark was cold man. We have some pretty amazing local acts, some of which are touring nationally as we speak...the funny thing is they are blowin up in other cities and drawing tiny crowds here at home. There is a habit here among consumers to denounce their own local cultural before they even experience it. It is simply common knowledge that anything coming out of MS is behind the times or rehash. Little do people realize that the music scene in Jackson is incredibly diverse and thanks to the size of our community, different genres of entertainers actually know each other and collaborate. As for promoters being forced to include a band...well...they shouldn't be forced by the local government. (The local government should be to busy promoting their culture to bother.) People who are advertising should note it as a condition of their advertising or not advertise. We as artist can possibly help to make local business more aware of the benefits that arise from being a well-known cultural hot spot. If business owners realize that they have a vested interest in seeing their local community expend time and money among their local artists (this will make those outside your community wonder what's so happening and come over to see) then business owners will do what they can to promote local artists. What if a local business doesn't care? Call them on the phone and let them know that you will not be frequenting their establishment because it has come to your attention that they are promoting outside artistic interests out of balance with their community investments. Imus was fired because his advertisers were pulling out. Promoters are going to listen keenly to the interests of their advertisers. A second stage can be an easy sell when attached to the right strings... You know - local businesses should consider where there advertising dollars are going period. Local businesses should only advertise with local media. And if that is too difficult at least do it with a company who is not actively squashing local media. No local business should be advertising with Gannett or Clear Channel for sure. There are some businesses who already do this. Local bands should be given opportunities. Radio stations and festival organizers should always be seeking to offer opportunity from the platform they are creating. It is not so much a right of the underdog - but a recognition of the benefits gained from helping community-based groups to reach a larger audience within their community. We should expect people and corporations to help strengthen the local character of the communities they inhabit. If they don't we should discourage their existence in our communities by pulling our support from them.

Author

daniel johnson

Date

2007-05-06T14:47:35-06:00

ID

112624

Comment

I agree with Fish, the reason the local bands weren't invited is cause the all really suck. I mean how long has living better electronically been a "local" band. And Absence of Concern is terrible, I think even 93.9 stopped their love affair with them after people called in and complained that the played that horrific song of theirs too much.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-06T16:10:31-06:00

ID

112625

Comment

hm.... i'm tired of hearing people attack our local artists. What sparks the need to condescend toward our cultural leaders in our Capitol City? Why are people like Gaius Julius Melton and KingFish not interested in going out to hear local bands and local atmosphere until they hear stuff they like? What is it with disinterest? What are people doing every night? Watching TV? If someone enjoys music - i garuntee there is someone local who is actively creating and performing who you would enjoy hearing or seeing and would likewise want to support. Unfortunately people get it in their head that there is nothing of interest locally so why bother availing themselves with crappy local music when they can go see second-rate cover bands. And why is discussion of local music an opportunity to insult one of our best examples of MS talent? Living Better Electrically are enjoyed in cities as disparate as New York and Austin. They're music is obviously the work of contientious, talented musicians. Their execution of their material equals flawless performance. The fact that acts such as Colour Revolt, Living Better Electrically, Skipp Coon, Kamikaze, Goodman County, Circus of the Seed, and Red Hill City have to leave our city to get real recognition is a testament to the lack of value our community bestows on its cultural resources. The worst is when bands have to go away to be recognized and then they don't even list MS as where they are from because they don't owe anything to our community. Our community turned their backs on them before they even got a chance to listen.

Author

daniel johnson

Date

2007-05-06T16:38:21-06:00

ID

112626

Comment

I was pulling Kaze's chain a little. I know there are good bands around here. However, there have been festivals before that had a plethora of local bands. Z Fest was one. However, I think there can be such a thing as band fatigue. When you see the bands over and over for years here, their appeal is somewhat diminished. Something along the lines of familiarity breeds contempt. Having said that, a case can be made for what I said about getting better. Promoters are in the business to make money. As Kaze and DJ know, its all about the bottom line for the most part in that business. Promoters are responding to perceived demand by the public. When we don't have well known national acts at Jubilee Jam, the attendance declines. The Crawfish Boil promoter probably should've included one or two local acts. I seriously doubt that doing so would've hurt ticket sales at all and on that point, I do agree with The Artist named after Tojo's carrier of death. However, when I tongue in cheek say the bands should get better, what I mean is, as a band gets better and catches on with the public, demand for it increases. Promoters will notice bands that are drawing a larger and larger following. I love two bands out of New Orleans, Bag of Donuts and Molly Ringwalds. They sell out whereever they play and charge night clubs 6 grand and up a pop for one night and get it. They get included in alot of festivals because they sell out and have a large following. That is what promoters pay attention to among other things. Good discussion going here. We haven't even touched on the incest between Clearchannel, SFX Entertainment, and Premier Radio Networks. That is alot of your problem right there.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-06T16:49:43-06:00

ID

112627

Comment

Daniel: Where did I say I do not like to get out and hear local bands play? where did I say that? gimme a quote.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-06T16:55:00-06:00

ID

112628

Comment

Local bands or no local bands, I thoroughly enjoyed the show this year. And there were a LOT of people there! Has anyone heard any crowd totals?

Author

Michele

Date

2007-05-06T18:08:55-06:00

ID

112629

Comment

GJM has taken a little haterade..but such is the climate that local/regional artists have to deal with. That mentality is truly counter-productive to the mission of promoting the arts in MS. And the premise that all local bands suck is insanity. AOC was offered fools' gold at 93.9. they were given a few spins in rotation but not the stuff that gets deals. THAT is what Im driving at...promoters and radio stations here need to help MAKE stars. Storage 24 is one of the most kick-ass bands in the nation and they'll be at Jam. so is Jonzetta. Im a testament to a homegrown talent who can draw crowds in Jackson, but I prefer giggin out of town because they ALWAYS pay my rate. HERE? PLEASE! Id starve if this was the only place I could play. LBE, AOC, and the like are gaining popularity OUTSIDE of their home base first and that's sad. We even have a band here signed to a major label (King's Elemetary at Capital) and NO station plays them. Ridiculous! ..And DJ this cover band phenomenon is amazing to me too. Such would NEVER be tolerated in the hiphop world. Imposters playing other artists songs?cmon? Imagine a Run DmC cover group. or a guy named Half-Dollar doing covers of 50 cent records. He'd get literally run out of town.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-06T18:43:25-06:00

ID

112630

Comment

You guys will see at Jam this year. Storage 24 is playing and so is Jonzetta...and me. And Im bringing the live band this year. We'll show just how Jackson talent DOESNT suck!

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-06T18:45:00-06:00

ID

112631

Comment

The problem as you well know, at radio stations, is that there is no local control whatsoever. Half the time, the DJ is in another state. It is all computerized now. The DJ's usually can not play a song off of a cd even if they wanted to do so. They can deviate from the playlist, but first they have to fill out a form. There are even firms that monitor how closely dj's stick to the playlists. Then there is the matter of selecting playlists. Rarely is it done through request and sales. Usually its done through focus groups. Yes, they get a focus group of their target demographic and use that data to select the playlist. radio consolidation has ruined radio support for local acts.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-06T19:47:40-06:00

ID

112632

Comment

I think that I am gonna call my bookie & place a bet that AOC, Living better Electronically (who I thought has been stuck in Jackson for years) and the majority of the rest of the local crap bands, won't achieve any national success. He prolly won't take that bet though cause its a sure loser.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-07T09:06:57-06:00

ID

112633

Comment

GJM..Ill take that bet...but only if you got $1000 on it and the keys to whatever you driving. Haterism is a curable disease. I gave you the cure a little earlier, just come out June 15 and 16th and you'll see. and 'Fish...don't even get me started on these radio stations. I'd gather we'd have no less than 5 rap acts with major deals and 4 bands on mtv if they would play their part. Clear Channel is the devil LOL.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-07T09:53:57-06:00

ID

112634

Comment

ygm on myspace.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-07T10:21:11-06:00

ID

112635

Comment

Ok Kaze, I will give you $1000 bucks & the keys to my Lexus if that ever happens, I mean they have only been hanging around Jackson since I was at Millsaps and that was like 10 years ago. Bright future.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-07T15:01:23-06:00

ID

112636

Comment

You not getting off that easy GJM. That's for LBE, AOC, Storage 24, and the "majority of the other crappy bands" remember? Still wanna take that bet? It took me 7 years before I got my first major label deal. sometimes things take time. But our day here is coming. And in the not too distant future we will have some major rap and rock stars in this city. Trust.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-07T15:41:58-06:00

ID

112637

Comment

And who has ever heard of you. Dude its time to get a real paying job like the rest of us. These guys playing in the same "local" band need to realize that high school is over & maybe college would have been a good idea.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T13:38:36-06:00

ID

112638

Comment

best music created by po musicians cuz they don't get corrupted by money. So knock it off Caligula.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T13:46:32-06:00

ID

112639

Comment

Some unfortunate comments here. Gaius, you're ever the gentleman, as always. LBE is moving to Austin, BTW. And they all did have "real paying jobs"—they also had a passion for their art and did what it took to make it. You just sound unhappy, friend. I promise you, though, that tearing down others isn't going to help that any. Otherwise, I'm all for local bands, but I don't think that every event in town has to feature them if the promoter doesn't want to. It's up to them, and it's not a "slap in the face." Sounds like a huge event this weekend. Very cool.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T13:49:16-06:00

ID

112640

Comment

Caligula, most musicians I know DO have jobs. I've yet to know many who try to support themselves with their music alone unless they "make it".

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T13:55:46-06:00

ID

112641

Comment

Nice try GTM, but no ones taking the bait. Im blessed to be one of those artists who does music for a living. Rap is how I feed the kids and pay the bills and trust me there has been times when it wasnt glamorous. You obviouslyare either trying to be funny(and failing) or..you don't know the kamikaze of which you speak LOL. anyhow. it took me quite a while before I was able to do music as a career and trust me it took a looong while. Now GJM I probably make as much as you do every two weeks for 20 min worth of work 3-4 nights a week. methinks thou does protest too much. Plus My job is something I LOVE doing and there are many folks who arent as fortunate. And I defintely root for the artist that works a 9-5 and doeshis music. Hell, its THEM I root for the most! and it's them I FIGHT for the most. And in that fight donna is where I must disagree. It IS a slap in the face. If these promoters of these larger shows plan on getting fat off the $ of mississippians, then they need to support homegrown. They ask that we come patronize and support THEIR events "Support your local businessman" they say then turn right around and exclude us from those big events. ...Kinda like Jackson or MS having a state journalism award show or convention and not inviting JFP because in their eyes you're a "small, weekly, local paper". when your articles are just as good or better. fan base just as strong, and support for the city undeniable. It would be disrespectful.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T15:34:09-06:00

ID

112642

Comment

I disagree with your analogy on the promoters, Kaze. It's not the same as the Mississippi Press Association excluding the JFP. This was never billed as a show with local artists; they are a private business, and they don't have to include local artists if they don't want to. I'm just not buying your "disrespectful" argument on this one. Not every big music event if going to book Storage 24 or LBE, and they shouldn't be trashed because they don't. For the record, I think this is different than you complaining about Jubilee JAM not booking hip-hop acts. I was with you on that one, as you well know from my efforts then.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:04:53-06:00

ID

112643

Comment

Yeah I am sure you do Kaze LOL! Donna, I am not unhappy and I am not tearing anyone down. I just happen to be of the opinion that the majority of the local bands around here are terrible. I mean doesn't everyone have a right to express a personal opinon when it comes to musical taste. apparently not here. And yes they were excluded from the show cause no one wanted to see them there, I don't think all those people would have shown up to see AOC open for LBE, now do you?

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:05:23-06:00

ID

112644

Comment

I am not unhappy and I am not tearing anyone down. I just happen to be of the opinion that the majority of the local bands around here are terrible. That's the first Quote o' the Week this week. LOL. Stop your martyristic whinin', Gaius. I didn't say you didn't "have a right" to trash local acts. I just matched your opinion with one of my own—that you sound like a real downer jerk when you say stuff like this. It's funny how I can disagree with Kamikaze's argument without trashing all local acts, eh? And for the record, you don't have the "right" to post a word on this site. No one does. We offer you the privilege of making an a$$ out of yourself. You're welcome.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:08:38-06:00

ID

112645

Comment

I tend to do a wonderful job of making an ass out of myself

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:12:41-06:00

ID

112646

Comment

Its not "tearing em down" to call the terrible. It might inspire them to practice more, you might say that I am being supportive of local bands lol. And to the community as a whole, in order to rid us of noise pollution.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:15:18-06:00

ID

112647

Comment

Its not "tearing em down" to call the terrible. It might inspire them to practice more Sounds a lot like when a man calls his wife a fat hog to get her to lose weight. Yeah, that'll learn her.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2007-05-08T16:17:57-06:00

ID

112648

Comment

Neener, neener, neener. (Thanks, Lady Havoc, for that earlier. It's a perfect way to stoop to Gauis' level.) Right, it's not "tearing down" to blast one blanket insult out to every "local" act in Jackson (many of whom work nationally and are some of the best musicians I've ever heard.) Dude, it's not like you're writing an intelligent review of a particular act here and giving cogent criticisms. Get over yourself. You're just being a jerk. Oh, and it happens that you're violating the User Agreement with these kinds of stereotypes. So I suggest you rein it in, or you might just lose that privilege to post on this here private Web site after all. Grow up. Fast.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:20:47-06:00

ID

112649

Comment

...And they consequently changed their tune...Or hell was gonna break loose again. Whether it was hiphop acts or homegrown acts period. I made tha point clear to John Lawrence two years ago and once he saw what I stink we could make, saw a way to make EVERYONE happy. and I applaud him. He has been very accomodating. And if the same has to happen with these local promoters then so be it. If they are going to operate inside these city limits then they need to support homegrown period. It doesnt have to be Storage or LBE. But it needs to be someone. they will get trashed and I will continue to call for boycotts even if NO ONE stays at home. The point must be made. ..Plus it was not a show billed as one with "local" aritsts. It was a festival billed with rock bands. And the first damn thing that needs to be done is to take that "local" moniker off these. Because it has become more of a derogatory term than one used to describe where a band is from. It was a ROCK show, we have kick-ass ROCK BANDS here, so some of them should have been included. BTW Donna..GTM's probably in or been in a band and is probably a little bitter..seen it before.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T16:21:36-06:00

ID

112650

Comment

Ok if you go listen to a band and then call them terrible, how is that a "stereotype?" I am just wondering, isn't that an opinon.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:22:41-06:00

ID

112651

Comment

sorry Donna...that last post was responding to your 5:04 post and the last sentence about Jam...that's where i started.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T16:23:40-06:00

ID

112652

Comment

GTM I doubt you've listened to EVERY band in Jackson and the surrounding areas. And I find it hard to fathom that all of them were terrible. I agree there are some that suck. Just as there are rappers here who suck...really suck...But the goods ones (bands and rappers) are VERY good. And are some of the ones you named.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T16:26:09-06:00

ID

112653

Comment

No Kaze, not in band and I don't have "band envy" either lol. That sounds like a pretty incurable sad disease actually.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:28:48-06:00

ID

112654

Comment

Where I might concede to you Kaze that LBE is not altogether that bad (I was just being an ass earlier) but I stand by my statement that AOC is horrible & horrible with an ego to boot.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:30:30-06:00

ID

112655

Comment

Understood, Kaze. Notice I didn't say you shouldn't express your opinion on this. I just don't agree about this particular show. Just because it was billed as a line-up of "rock bands" does not mean the promoters should have to book local rock bands. As I understand it, this was privately funded. They can book whomever they want. As for GTM ... his posts speak for themselves. There's one in every crowd. Now to Gauis; you just wrote: Ok if you go listen to a band and then call them terrible, how is Can you read your own posts above, you goob? You weren't criticizing a particular act; you were trashing—or stereotyping—them all. Now to whine about being called out on it it is really precious. Everybody can read what you wrote. The advice is to think before you post, and you wouldn't look so bad so often, I would think.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:32:03-06:00

ID

112656

Comment

And to this comment of yours: I am just wondering, isn't that an opinon. How can I say this gently? Do you not know that a bigoted statement or a stereotype is *also* "an opinion"? Let's see; what if I said: "If is my opinion that all white men in Jackson are terrible bigots." See the problem here? Yes, I can find a terrible white bigot or two in Jackson, but making it sound like every man in town is one would make me sound like a moron, no?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:33:33-06:00

ID

112657

Comment

I don't think its a stretch to say the level of talent among local bands is lower than that of other larger metropolitan areas while allowing for the fact that there are individual acts that measure up to those of other areas.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T16:34:50-06:00

ID

112658

Comment

Actually, I'm not sure I would agree with that statement, 'Fish. It's better than Giaus', but still a generalization about Jackson compared to all other metropolitan areas. For instance, some of the worst local acts I've ever seen were in New York City—because they drew in the bridge-and-tunnel hairspray crowd and made money for the clubs. With due respect, some of you attorneys need to go take a refresher course in logic and how to argue, with all these fallacies you could drive an F-150 through.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:37:46-06:00

ID

112659

Comment

I said "a" band, if one goes and sees "a" band, I never said all of em were terrible. So if one goes and sees "a" band and thinks that paticular band is terrible, than that is an opinion and not a stereotype.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:39:09-06:00

ID

112660

Comment

Yeah as I recall the arguements we attorneys made regarding the Melton trial came out to be exactly as I and a few others said they would and we were dead on right. You couldn't drive an F-150 through that logic.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T16:42:31-06:00

ID

112661

Comment

No 'Fish the level of talent here (and Ive got a pretty good frame of reference for this) far surpasses what Ive seen in other cities this size. Actually per capita, we've got a huge pool of great bands and rappers. Most folks here sadly sadly suffer from that self-loathing that mississippi kids are taught coming up. "If you're from MS, you can't achieve anything." and trust when I go talk to kids, that mindset is prevalent. "If _______is from mississippi, he/she can't be good. their song cant be that good if its from here" That's what we're up against. so no, i won't concede that the level is lower here its just that we lack venues, support, and the support of concert promoters and radio stations to make us a music hotbed. ..and yes GJM, I cant believe Im agreeing with you but AOC does boast a grand ego LOL...They're good but that ego..sheesh far surpasses that LOL. But you know what? for MS..I think we need a little swagger. So I still won't knock 'em. I think an LBE, AOC, Storage 24 show would pack any club here..to complete capacity. but who has the forsight to do it?

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T16:48:11-06:00

ID

112662

Comment

Don't you mean ... "... through that jury nullification." It didn't take master logic to predict that one. Otherwise, see your generalized statements above about "local" acts. At this point, I am done feeding this particular troll. I've fed you enough crumbs.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:50:55-06:00

ID

112663

Comment

Better hurry on that "capacity" show. LBE is movin' on up. Come to their goodbye show Friday night.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T16:52:04-06:00

ID

112664

Comment

I'm speaking from experience. I travel alot in my job and get out quite a bit and just making observations based upon what I've seen and heard. I've seen really bad bands everywhere. HOwever, some blues bands, like King Edward and his band, were pretty hard to beat anywhere. Now I'm going to throw in something else here. How often do we know the bands we are listening to are local? Unless you tend to be a follower of that particular band, usually its because you heard them at a club or festival. Then its a question of if they are not local, then how much is the club/promoter paying for the band. I mentioned two bands I love out of N.O., Bag of Donuts and Molly Ringwalds. Much better than anything I've heard in a club in Jackson in a long time. However, they also charge 6 grand and up for their fee for one night. I bet if a club here was willing to pay that much for a band, they would get a better sounding band as well. My point is, once again, it comes down to economics and what is paid for a band to appear. If a club or promoter doesn't shell out much money for an act, surprise, the better ones that can command the higher fees go elsewhere. Which goes back to what I said, alot of times when we think we are hearing a band, do we really know how local they are?

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T16:52:22-06:00

ID

112665

Comment

Kaze, in regards to your last statement, I think most people are aware of the musical talent that has come out of Mississippi and don't automatically think that just because a band is from here it is "bad".

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T16:55:25-06:00

ID

112666

Comment

I beg to differ 'Fish...not these kids...and mainly because they aren't taught. Hell, if an artist is not on the radio or on bet or mtv, these kids won't give you the time of day...thaaaaaat's when they call you "local". We need to educate them about our rich musical history so they won't be influenced to think that an artist is only relevant if hes on radio or tv.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-08T17:08:20-06:00

ID

112667

Comment

now you are changing debate terms on us.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T17:13:26-06:00

ID

112668

Comment

Dude, as a promoter and club owner It would be in my best intrest to keep my mouth shut about this subject, but I have never been one to keep my opinion to myself. The local talent pool here in jackson is very thin on bands I would actually pay to go see. Most of the local cover bands are a bunch of middle aged rednecks that should be playing skynard but think there cool because they play alice in chains & stone temple pilots (which both suck in my opinion... I hated grunge & rock music got a breathe of fresh air the day kirk cobian put a bullet in his head)!! As for as the local original modern rock bands go i.e. S-24 & aoc, I've been promoting them both since I owned crazy 8 and in my opinon..... S-24 needs to work with outside songwriters and actually use a rock producer (not the guy at rich boy studios) nothing against them but there specialty is hip hop not rock!! also they could use an image consultant becasue theres no consitancy with any of the guys looks, there awsome musicians which im proud to call friends and they are an incedible live band that just about anyone who see's enjoys and they by for draw the largest crowds of any local band when properly promoted! AOC- I've been friends with these guys a while (especially jon dray) I even went out and paid for there cd at be-bop to show my support for them. now with that said, theres nothing that stands out about them. there song was spun nearly 500 times on rock 93.9 just last year and now they wont play them at all. speaking of rock 93 there not a local media either, there owned by a smaller version of clear channel called backyard broadcasting.....anyway, I liked there song "everytime i try" & "goodbye". If they were'nt able to get signed behind the strength of either one of those I cant imagine it happening. looks like there window of oppurtunity is closing. then throw in the fact that there manager is a complete ass that i'll never work with again and I can see why there not invited to play on any show if he has anything to do with the booking of it. as for as rap goes, the biggest problem with that entire genre is the fact that most of those guys are so misguided & unprofessional that there impossible to work with. neartly everytime that i book a local rap act with kamikaze being the exception to the rule I have to deal with them all thinking that there superstars, they wont to let there entire fan base in free and call them there "crew", none of them have any concept as to what a door deal is and they all want gaurnunteed money and a guest list a mile long. I was gonna do a show with a local group who's name I wont mention but they stood me up on a meeting we had set up because they decided going and meeting with rich boy studios was more important than atleast picking up the phone and calling me to tell me they couldnt make it. If local rap groups want to get booked at any of the main stream clubs heres a list at what they need to understand: 1. learn what a door deal is, if your as popular as you thik you are you'll make alot more money 2. learn the differance between your "crew" & your fan base, If you let all 50 of your friends in for free the promoter doesnt make any money so therefore you dont get a re-peat gig. 3. just because you got a song being spun on lacal radio your not worth $3,000. if you think you are you need to refer back to example #1 4. I never wanna hear "do my fellas/ladies run this mutha fucka" ever again, please think of something new. 5. please rap about something other than money, hoes & clothes. its all been done and its just getting worse and worse kamikaze, I respect what your doing & the example your setting for your genre of music. you defanitely got you head & heart in the right place and it will pay off for you one day. you should take my advice back to one of your m.a.p.p meetings & tell your counter parts that they could learn alot from how local rock bands pay there dues.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-08T20:28:41-06:00

ID

112669

Comment

Oh its "jury nullification" now is it Donna. Man you just can't stand to be wrong and I thought I was a sore loser.

Author

snowjob

Date

2007-05-08T20:40:41-06:00

ID

112670

Comment

Wow, what a post, Clay. You might stir up some controversy, but at least you're saying something along the way. You make a very, very important point that there is a huge difference between having some raw talent and knowing how to market/present yourself. This applies across the artistic spectrum and needs to be said. The young (and some older) writers I meet you think they are too good to be edited come to mind. I think you're saying stuff that needs to be said. I remember some events we've hosted where artists think they can show up anytime they want and still be included. Such unprofessionalism will be their downfall, no matter how much talent they're hiding inside. Be careful, though, Clay. Keep this up, and you'll end up with a blog. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T20:45:52-06:00

ID

112671

Comment

(Gaius, we've moved back to the point of the thread here. But I wasn't "wrong"; I never said Melton would be convicted. I said he should be convicted. And being that they didn't deny that he broke the law, it's a bit hard to understand how I'm "wrong" about the jury nullification, and you damn well know it. However, if you want to try to pick a Melton fight, there are many, many Melton threads to do that on. Pick one. Back to band talk here.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-08T20:48:57-06:00

ID

112672

Comment

Thanks ladd!! Ive actually mentioned to stephen that id like to write a blog for you guys. feel free to hit me up anytime. I dont want to stir up anything negative, Im a huge supporter of local acts. everytime i book a national show I like to make sure i put homegrown talent on the bill, the only time i dont is if its a 3 band package and there isnt room because of production issues. I only wish i had half the talent as these guys do. thy get on stage and do there thing and I respect it.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-08T20:52:10-06:00

ID

112673

Comment

blog 'im. come on Ladd, give the kid a chance. let him blog.

Author

Kingfish

Date

2007-05-08T21:26:34-06:00

ID

112674

Comment

Oh, Fiddle. Let 'em toss a few Moltov's around. :)

Author

Ironghost

Date

2007-05-08T21:28:26-06:00

ID

112675

Comment

oh yeah, someone asked how many people showed up for the crawfish boil. friday night- 17,500 saturday- 22,000 these were the rough estimates the promoter told me saturday night after the show, so they did nearly 40,000 over 2 days which nearly doubled last years attendance. im proud of jackson for getting off there butts and supporting something. hopefully this is the start of something good.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T06:12:24-06:00

ID

112676

Comment

Great turnout...I can only hope that Jam mirrors those numbers..But just imagine the shot in the arm that would have been for some of our top tier homegrown bands if they were able to play in front of those numbers on Friday or Sat. imagine the boost in record sales. Imgaine the number of cd's they could have sold at the event(merchandising). Imagine the traffic they would have had coming to their myspace pages. I dont think for one second those numbes would have been down had the promoter included at least 3 homegrown bands on that bill. The folks STILL would have come out. And the exposure would have been priceless. But instead they are pushed to the backburner. If you want bands from here to make it big you have to put them in situations. that's not doing the work for them..it's just giving a needed boost when applicable. But alas..they did 40,000 folks, made a s--tload of money, and all that without showing any love to the town(other than having the event here...thanks) so next year Im sure they'll do the same...but Im gonna scream much louder next year to make sure my point is heard. It may be an ant challenging a giant by that point but hey...Jubilee Jam realized its errors and will better for it this year. I think the crawfish boil will be too.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-09T09:20:35-06:00

ID

112677

Comment

and just to add...I agree totally with the rap critiques. This thread was started in support of our local ROCK bands. Most of the rappers 'round here are unprofessional and lack the desire to learn. So I agree. Why do you think I prefer gigging at Rock clubs now. the artists arent professional and guess what? the club owners in those spots are unprofessional. Truth be told clay, they're a part of the reason some of these new-jacks think they're stars already. and by the time they deal with a real businessman they're like a fish out of water. But as far as Rock goes...these guys are getting far less opportunities. How the hell are these good bands getting beat out and paid less than damn cover bands. $6000 for a damn cover band who couldnt make an original hit if one was lent to them by a more famous band? THAT is disrespectful... FYI the engineer at RichBoy, Ryan actually started as Rock engineer/producer thats his area of expertise Clay. there just wasnt any work recording bands around here so he had to go where the money was. Its 10,000 rappers in MS compared to far less rock bands that actually record so...

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2007-05-09T09:28:55-06:00

ID

112678

Comment

>friday night- 17,500 >saturday- 22,000 Thanks Clay, I really was curious about that - my crowd estimation skills suck!

Author

Michele

Date

2007-05-09T09:47:18-06:00

ID

112679

Comment

Oh, and Kaze, I second Clay's comment about you working so hard to professionalize the local rap community. I've seen it first hand, and I applaud you for your efforts.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-09T10:14:13-06:00

ID

112680

Comment

yeah kaze i didnt mean to get all off into the rap thing i was just ranting about the music scene all togather. i agree wih you 110% about it not hurting to put some locals bands on the crawfish boil bill. anyone who thinks that it would have hurt the show to a"add" some local bands to an already great bill needs to quit drinking & blogging at the same time

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T16:02:18-06:00

ID

112681

Comment

I don't think it would have hurt to, either. I'm all about "local." However, I don't think *not* doing it means the promoters should be condemned. But the more noise about "local," the better, in my book. And we can definitely count on Kaze to make noise. ;-) (And that's a compliment.)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2007-05-09T16:06:44-06:00

ID

112682

Comment

I do tend to agree wih ladd on that. you can only raise so much hell that you hurt your cause more than you help it.

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T18:57:15-06:00

ID

112683

Comment

speaking of drinking and blogging, you'd think i needed to practice that with all my mis-spelling

Author

clay e.

Date

2007-05-09T19:18:40-06:00

ID

112684

Comment

To the jackass that started all this.. is three doors down not a local band? I mean I might be mistaken but i just assumed that a band from mississippi, (for the most part), would be a local band.. please inform me if I'm wrong but is the same damn state not local or regional? Get your facts staight before you bump them gums pimpin..

Author

yomama

Date

2008-04-07T01:21:13-06:00

ID

112685

Comment

This thread was started over a year ago before the LAST crawfish boil so it appears YOURE the jackass sir. And for clarification 3 Doors Down is not local by promoter definition. They are a muti-platinum band that has international acclaim. Yes they are from Mississippi but David Banner is too and HE is no longer considered local. So by definition there are no local bands on this years bill either. No Weeks, No Redneck Trucker, none of the many kick-ass bands that repesent here. And we've gotta stop that trend.

Author

Kamikaze

Date

2008-04-07T05:36:36-06:00