It never ceases to amaze me how much talent there is in local bands and individual songwriters. In clubs and pubs all across America and the world, local and visiting artist are playing their hearts out for themselves and others. Sadly though, a lot of the talent goes unnoticed by far too many people who claim to love music.
Maybe it’s just me. I’m doing good to play a radio. Maybe that’s why the talents behind these artists astound me. But if someone like me, who doesn’t play, can appreciate the effort behind the stage show, why don’t others. I hear far too often that this band sucks, or that songwriter needs to go back to the drawing board, from people who have never been on stage. Why is it that those who don’t, feel so qualified to criticize those who do? Maybe because it’s easier to bitch than it is to do something.
Of course these are the same people who sit at home complaining that there is nothing to do, while shows are going on all over town. But we’re too lazy to pick up a newspaper or telephone to find out what is going on; instead we’ll just sit at home and complain. Why? Because it’s easier. And the human race is basically lazy.
The real kicker is that when clubs see that local music doesn’t bring in the money that "darts" or "Karaoke" does, we blame the club owner. Isn’t it really our own fault for not going to see the local artists when they were there? How often have we thanked the owners for showcasing unknown talent? How often have we even picked our butts up off the couch and paid to see the talent that’s there? How long do we expect these venues to stay around if we don’t go see them?
So what’s your excuse? Do you appreciate what is happening on the local scene, or just complain about it? How do you think national acts got that way? By playing local clubs all over the country, that’s how. How many of us will pay $20 or more to see a national act but won’t pay $5 to see an unknown act? Does that really make sense? I don’t think so, but hey, that’s me. And that’s the way I C it.
