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