October 2004

I don’t fool much with email lists, but I do have a couple I stop into from time to time. Yesterday I wondered into the Broward Folk Club’s unofficial email list and responded to a number of folks outraged that someone from the local Mensa group had posted to the list for someone to play at a function, for no money. There was a lot of mudslinging, mostly about “how dare you ask for someone to play for free.” I responded, as I rarely do on that list, that I’ve seen posting for political events that most of the list members support, and no one seems to complain about that. I got a couple of off-list responses, here’s one I’d like to share. The sender’s email address has been changed:

If this were a political rally people would be asked to play for “free”

and no one would blink an eye. And it’s not like the Democrats or

Republicans couldn’t afford to pay the musicians. Maybe there’s someone

out there that believes in this organization as much as other believe in

politics or some other lost cause and would love to play for free. Then

again, I can’t understand how a group of geniuses can’t figure out a way

to pay some folk singer with a GED.

John Ford LSMFT

“…Some folk singer with a GED…”??? How very condescending of you, Ford!

Isn’t this the second time in as many months that Ms. XXXX has posted a

request for FREE music, on these forums?

Hmmm.

Sorry, but to my way of thinking, this is disrespectful to any of us who make

our actual LIVINGS as musicians…versus the hobbyists with day-gigs as

lawyers, or whatever, who can afford the “charity”.

Don’t get me wrong: I’ve played for benefits I believed in…but ‘Mensa’???

I don’t think so!

XXXXXXXXXX,

A Crass Materialist

—

Dear XXXX,

That was in jest. I hope you took it that way.

jf

On Oct 19, 2004, at 6:53 PM, XXXXXXX wrote:

“…Some folk singer with a GED…”??? How very condescending of you,

Ford!

“XXXX”???

Again: how condescending of you!!!

Obviously, you have a healthy “respect” for real musicians!

(What is it that you do, again, to make YOUR steady paycheck??? Obviously, not

music!)

XXXXX

—

Quoting John Ford :

I remember now, I gave up months ago on having a civil conversation

with you. I came to the conclusion that it’s pretty much impossible.

jf

—-

You are correct, sir. With people, like you: “…pretty much impossible…”,

indeed!

XXXXXXX

—

(and my final response)

Bless you sir.

jf

————-

Man,

There sure is a lot of love in this world. Especially in the Folk Music circles.

JF

If you’ve been wondering if you should spend 25 bucks on this first book
in Dylan’s autobiographical trilogy… the answer is yes. It’s really,
really good. Sort of reads like Tarantula with some structure and history.
As you read it you get the feeling that everything he has ever told
everyone in any interview before now was all just pure BS. (after all he’s
good at BS). Lot’s of inside stuff, imaginative history, real clues on his
discovery of the muse and it’s loaded with the same imagery his songs are,
in fact it reads like a song. I figured it would either really suck or be
just another stolen moment from Zimmy, but it feels and reads like he’s
been thinking and musing over this for quite some time.

The first chapter is magical. He takes you back to the village in the early ’60s. And if you know the geography, it’s even more magical. The second chapter revolves around the insanity of his life in the late ’60s, where he just wants to be a songwriter and make records, and the rest of the world wants him to be their saviour. The third chapter revolves around making “New Morning” and getting his life back by turning his back on the insane counter-culture of the late ‘60′ and early ’70s and making country recrods to drive the fans, and the lunatics, away. Chapter 4 is in some ways the least compelling, but for songwriters and musicians, it might be the most interesting. He chronicles the making of “Oh Mercy”, from songwriting to recording with Daniel Lanois. Songwriters, even if you’re not a Dylan fan, you should read this book.