Blues societies = blues nazis???

[Son Lewis]

In a message dated 11/21/2004 12:22:26 PM Eastern Standard Time,
maxdog-blues-l@comcast.net writes:

How do  you keep a blues society from turning into Blues Nazis? OK, that's a
loaded  question. Are there any suggestions of ways to keep some blues society
members  from over stepping on the toes of other blues activities in their
area?



I think by it's very nature a "society" brings people together that have
diverse viewpoints on the Blues.  If they are willing to "join in" to an
aggregation of like minded people it means they are somewhat biased toward
involvement.  To me, that means they are likely to bring their diverse  viewpoints into
conflict with other diverse viewpoints.  This has happened  in virtually
every Blues society that I have had experience with and it can  possibly create
conflict or interpersonal relationships or scheduling of  events.   I don't
think there is any easy answer to your  question...  If you have scheduling
conflicts on events then the folks  involved need to be reminded that 1/2 a crowd is
less successful than a full  crowd... basic economics?

If you have multiple societies like we do here in the NJ/NY area (United
Jersey Blues Network, NY Jazz and Blues Foundation and Jersey Shore Jazz and
Blues Foundation) then you have to have a meeting of the "don's" and agree how
you can work in harmony to promote the music in the region to the maximum
benefit.  THIS is not easy due to territorial issues of "turf" and the  tightness
of membership money but UJBN and NYJBF sat down last week and agreed  that we
have to work together because we (and the Blues community at large)  cannot
afford the constant competition.

To classify those in our community whose taste leans more toward  traditional
or classic forms of the music as "nazis" is rather unfair and  certainly
offensive to certain people. I myself tend toward more classic  representations of
the musical form (vs. the "new Blues" of SRV or the North  Mississippi
Allstars, etc.) and if I am strongly vocal about it then how am I  different (or
more rigid) than someone who thinks that Chris Thomas King, Fat  Possum  or NMA
is the only way to for the music to move forward?

Son  Lewis
Blues vocalist/guitarist
_Silk  City Recording Artist_ (http://www.sonlewis.com/)

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