So, I've had a youtube channel for years. Thousands of hits. I have never gotten a thumbs down until I looked this morning. I now have 3...on 3 different songs. Ironic that I post my vids on a forum, and bam! the next day...player haters! Of course there is no comment to go along with it. If you don't like my voice, my playing, my hair...whatever...just have the stones to say so. I now have two songs with 100% dislikes, because some asshat ran out of sugar for his coffee and now he has to take it out on the cyberworld. I used to have a boss like that. You could never please him. You say good afternoon, he'd grunt at you. I have never clicked dislike on youtube. If I don't like it, I just move on. That's just me. If it makes you feel better about yourself to put me down...or give me a thumbs down...have at it. I have been through enough crap in my life to toughen me up and give me thick skin. The music business is no place for weaklings...and I've been doing it for 14 years. I've always been the encouraging type. I run an all female jam called The Clam Jam...our goal is to provide a place for female players of all levels of experience to come jam, and pitch a few clams with us. No, none of us "shred", but we DO kick ass! We do take risks. Sometimes, it works out, sometimes, it doesn't. But whatever happens, you get applause and an invite to return. When the Clam Jam started in September, that's when I started playing lead. I think for 8 months of playing lead...I'm doin alright. Anyone who thinks otherwise...well, you are entitled to your opinion, and I did put my videos out there for scrutiny. I just think you should have the courage to post why you don't like it, if you're gonna click dislike. Give some constructive criticism. I truly believe there are people who click dislike on every video they watch. Every Setzer video has several...so I guess I'm in good company!

Give us a link to your vids - thumbs-up all round!!!! ;-)

huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh Clam Jam huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhuh

agreed on your points.

If all you've gotten up to now is positive feedback it sounds like your starting to reach a wider audience and there is no such thing as bad publicity of course. ;)

They are in the Songs in the Key of Gretsch section. Ironic too, that all three thumbs downs were songs I posted here yesterday. I must have rubbed somebody the wrong way. That didn't take long...but then it usually doesn't!

Don't worry to much about it. The dislike button doesn't bother me. I have some of those on my videos posted on the tube. What does bother me are the vitriolic statements of hate and trolling that goes on in the comment sections. Most of them don't have talent or don't quite understand what the video's about and they get overly critical or just say dumb things. And they're prolly jealous. You got to learn to ignore them. Since my videos don't get viewed a lot, there are not that many comments, so one day I responded to all of them individually. It was fun.

Howdy, StrayKitten!

Hope you'll forgive me if you've done this already, but: How about you post your YouTube channel for us to check out your jams for ourselves? Heck: I'll probably click thumbs up at you from every desktop in my office building, just because!

Unfortunately, the Inter-webs are chock-full of creeps and trolls that we just have to deal with. While your rant has not fallen on deaf ears (eyes?), I do believe these experiences are better viewed as opportunities. I hear (read?) your pain about morons who have nothing better to do than attempt to annoy and aggravate the c#@p out of everybody, but don't let 'em beat ya! Keep on jammin' and showing off your skills. Yes: This/these idiots are cowards to knock and run, but their just idiots with no stick, no stones and no brains to come up with words or thought or opinions. If you ignore 'em, they'll go away and look for their next target.

If this is the first time in years that you've gotten thumbs down, then count yourself lucky: I don't know if I've every seen a forum/post/YT channel where somebody - at some point - didn't troll around to bash on a parade, just for kicks. It even happens here on Gretsch-Talk.

Anyway: Hope you feel better about things soon and allow yourself to forget about such fools. Have a happy Friday/weekend/summer and get on with the jams!

Cheers
-OpenMike

How about you post your YouTube channel for us to check out your jams for ourselves?

If this is the first time in years that you've gotten thumbs down, then count yourself lucky: I don't know if I've every seen a forum/post/YT channel where somebody - at some point - didn't troll around to bash on a parade, just for kicks. It even happens here on Gretsch-Talk.

Anyway: Hope you feel better about things soon and allow yourself to forget about such fools. Have a happy Friday/weekend/summer and get on with the jams!

Cheers
-OpenMike

Thanks everybody for the kind words. I really am ok. I'm not crying in my coffee or anything. It's just a pet peeve.

Here's the link to my channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gldeluca?feature=mhsn

Click whatever thumb makes you happy :)

Yes, I suppose I am very lucky to have gotten my first thumbsdown today...it means I HAVE ARRIVED! lol!!

Oh my...the powers that be do work in mysterious ways. A drummer friend of mine just sent me a text (as I was typing the above)...for no apparent reason...saying
"I believe in you!! You are one of the greats! Plus down to earth and cool"
Next text from him
"Sometimes people need to hear that ya know"
Me:
"You have no idea how perfect your timing is"
Him:
"That's cuz I play drums haha"

Heh...all smiles at a hug from the universe :D

Gina, your playing + singing is awsome!!!!!

I wonder how good player + singer is a person who left these 'thumbs down'?

I subscribed for your future tube vids, after you posted them here, but no comments or anything, I don't do that.

I hate that 'thumbs-up-down-like-don't like-facebook' communication. Who cares what I like or not?!

Cheers,
Darko

Seems like you received many positive and supportive responses to your videos here. I admit that it seems a pretty big coincidence that the negative responses appeared after you posted here, but even if we grant the vast likelihood that a forum member did that (a lame move for sure) the positives have far out-weighed these very few negatives. So don't worry about it. Outliers lack validity. I was recently accused by an undergrad student of focusing too much on religion in a Renaissance lit. course I taught that featured Marlowe's Faustus, Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, and Milton's Paradise Lost (which retells the opening chapters of Genesis, for crying out loud). What're you gonna do. No undergrad course and no forum or site on the internet is kook proof. For that matter, perfectly reasonable people occasionally turn a bit kooky on the web. I've been known to retract a comment and shamefacedly apologize myself.

Enjoy the warm welcome you are receiving and channel the angst into your your guitar instead of re-circulating it into cyber-space.

And I tip my hat to you for the jam you run. Rock 'n Roll has suffered from under-representation of female artists beyond certain stereo-typical roles and a few excellent exceptions. More women playing more kinds of music expands all kinds of opportunities, expands the tradition, and enriches "the conversation."

With great respect,

Strum

"I have never clicked dislike on youtube. If I don't like it, I just move on. That's just me. If it makes you feel better about yourself to put me down...or give me a thumbs down...have at it. I have been through enough crap in my life to toughen me up and give me thick skin."

- no offense but it doesn't sound like thick skin.
now, i was not one of the people who commented one way or another. i saw one of your vids, and i liked it! Good job!

i agree that with a wider audience you'll get move views on your stuff. if you put it out there you really can't expect all will like it or say nothing. some may not like it and other, as you said are really just haters. it sucks but it's reality. I say keep posting despite any negative comments. you have skills, if some people don't appreciate it, forget 'em and take pride that many more people do appreciate it. that said i'm going to check out more of your stuff.

Seems like you received many positive and supportive responses to your videos here. I admit that it seems a pretty big coincidence that the negative responses appeared after you posted here, but even if we grant the vast likelihood that a forum member did that (a lame move for sure) the positives have far out-weighed these very few negatives. So don't worry about it. Enjoy the warm welcome you are receiving and channel the angst into your your guitar instead of re-circulating it into cyber-space.

And I tip my hat to you for the jam you run. Rock 'n Roll has suffered from under-representation of female artists beyond certain stereo-typical roles and a few excellent exceptions. More women playing more kinds of music expands all kinds of opportunities, expands the tradition, and enriches "the conversation."

With great respect,

Strum

To the top paragraph I say:
THANK YOU! For the warm welcome. It has been a warm reception indeed. Everyone has been very nice. I have noticed there are a few anti-Setzer folks around here (and on GDP) and I have made my pledge of allegience to him pretty, em, obvious. Could have been that...or anything. There's always one in every crowd. He's probably the guy who yells Freebird at a gospel concert. :)

To the second paragraph:
Well said sir!!! I could not have said that better myself! May I quote you on our webpage?

Well said sir!!! I could not have said that better myself! May I quote you on our webpage?

I'd be honored.

Have a good weekend, with plenty of music time.

It goes back to this quote I love:

"the more people I meet, the more I like my dogs".

People man. I thought you sounded real good SK.

Yeah, truthfully I wouldn't be too concerned about it. It's going to happen, especially on the internet. People grow balls when they can be anonymous.

If you believe in yourself, then don't waste any time worrying about it. You know what you want to achieve and that's all that matters.

"- no offense but it doesn't sound like thick skin.


Believe me, I am not heartbroken about this. It's just a pet peeve. Like someone cutting me off while I'm driving or not saying thank you when you hold a door for them. I was just venting/ offering my opinion. I actually feel sorry for people who are so miserable, they have to rain on someone else's parade to feel a little sunshine. They are not happy people...and that's sad.

Every time I go on YouTube and I see all of the cruel and ridiculous comments it always makes me wonder who would say or write such garbage. I can't be certain, but there's a very good possibility that most of that comes from very young and inexperienced kids. I remember when I was that young, and I would say and do things just to get the adults riled up--I would guess that the internet is a good place for such teenage (or younger) angst these days. Thumbs down is just another tool for these youngsters to blindly release their aggressions.

So all that said, keep doing what you do….it’s great! A few thumbs down here and are pretty much the norm. I have wanted to put a bunch of stuff on YouTube for a while, but I always make excuses not to do so. Good for you that you are doin’ the thang. :cool:

"or not saying thank you when you hold a door for them."

lol ya i hate that too!

OOOwaaaaah! I definitely hit a nerve...someone went through and clicked dislike on all my videos. LMAO! C'mon, put on your big girl panties and man up!

BTW...Thanks for raising my play count. :D

Well singing and playing isnt easy. Standing up and playing isnt easy for me so u did a great job. May the Gretsch be with you.

Now that is the definition of lame. And petty.

That's the anti-thesis of the ethos we strive for here.

There are much more pleasurable outlets for aggression.

Doesn't matter who it is at this point. Thanks for a pristine example of human ridiculousness.

Youtube brings out the 13 year old in adults in the worst way. So many people will choose to be negative given the slightest opportunity. And it only proves their own insecurity (bringing someone else down). I bet if you had a crystal ball and could see these loosers, you'd change from being hurt by them to feeling sorry for them. I really believe that the folks who bother to 'hate' on youtube are likely some of the sorriest losers out there. Normal people couldn't be bothered with it, even if they didn't particularly like what they saw. Normal folks would be apathetic at worst, not haters. Haters have something else going on - usually their own issues. Forget em. See them for what they really are and forget em. Keep doing what you're doing. If it really bothers you(hey, I can be really guilty of being sensitive at times), turn off the comments and let the forums provide you feedback. Or else, hate to say it, your opening your self up and haters love to hate. The successful ones are the ones who find ways to shut out the negativity and keep doing what they want to do.

But what I really feel bad for is teenagers who end up bearing the brunt of the horrible side of youtube culture and don't know how to brush it off. It has to be scarring and potentially devastating to an impressionable kid who is going through that period where we are struggling for acceptance. Most of the haters where probably the ones being picked on at one time.

Youtube brings out the 13 year old in adults in the worst way. So many people will choose to be negative given the slightest opportunity. And it only proves their own insecurity (bringing someone else down). I bet if you had a crystal ball and could see these loosers, you'd change from being hurt by them to feeling sorry for them. I really believe that the folks who bother to 'hate' on youtube are likely some of the sorriest losers out there. Normal people couldn't be bothered with it, even if they didn't particularly like what they saw. Normal folks would be apathetic at worst, not haters. Haters have something else going on - usually their own issues. Forget em. See them for what they really are and forget em. Keep doing what you're doing. If it really bothers you(hey, I can be really guilty of being sensitive at times), turn off the comments and let the forums provide you feedback. Or else, hate to say it, your opening your self up and haters love to hate. The successful ones are the ones who find ways to shut out the negativity and keep doing what they want to do.

But what I really feel bad for is teenagers who end up bearing the brunt of the horrible side of youtube culture and don't know how to brush it off. It has to be scarring and potentially devastating to an impressionable kid who is going through that period where we are struggling for acceptance. Most of the haters where probably the ones being picked on at one time.

I'm not hurt...and I do feel sad for them. They are clearly unhappy. And yes, I also feel bad for the kids who get cyberbullied so to speak. I've been playing full time for 14 years...you can't do that without toughening up. I just thought it was funny...I actually laughed out loud...that they gave a thumbsdown to every song. If you didn't like the first song, why listen to the other 10? It's just silly...and bad karma. :p

I actually feel sorry for people who are so miserable, they have to rain on someone else's parade to feel a little sunshine. They are not happy people...and that's sad.

There is a possibility that they aren't miserable and unhappy. Maybe they just didn't like it. I liked your videos that I saw, but some people don't like the kind of music we like. I do agree they could have moved on without responding, or at least left a comment why.

I would hate to see the results if I posted something on youtube. I definitely wouldn't expect everyone to like it. The dislikes would motivate me to keep on keepin' on.

EDIT: I guess if they don't like Setzer covers they shouldn't have searched for them on youtube. I kinda see your point. Keep rockin.

I would hate to see the results if I posted something on youtube. I definitely wouldn't expect everyone to like it. The dislikes would motivate me to keep on keepin' on.

Attaboy. Now that's PUNK ROCK. Take the negativity and make it an engine of creativity.

There is a possibility that they aren't miserable and unhappy. Maybe they just didn't like it. .

Sure, I could see that on one video, click dislike and move on. But every video? If you didn't like the first one, why click on the next 10 just to give it a thumbs down? Answer: who gives a crap? lol! I am secure with the level of my abilities. I'm not gonna let the man get me down...especially one with a tiny mind, and probably a very tiny....em...tube amp. :rolleyes:

Anyone who has time to go through all those videos in order to give'm a "thumbs down" is obviously devoid of any kind of social life.
Petty douchebags notwithstanding, why publish your vids on the biggest videosharing website in the world, with a multimillion wide audience, and complain about one or two douches making less favourable comments...I mean, really?
Now excuse me while I fetch me some extra sugar for my coffee.

Petty douchebags notwithstanding, why publish your vids on the biggest videosharing website in the world, with a multimillion wide audience, and complain about one or two douches making less favourable comments...I mean, really?
Now excuse me while I fetch me some extra sugar for my coffee.

It was more a commentary on that particular sect of douchbaggery. Also, no negative comments...just thumbsdown. I'm open to constructive critisism. However, I am no fool...I know that posting opens you up to all critisism. Just like I know that if I hop on I-95, some douchenozzle is going to cut me off within the first mile. Just cuz I know it's going to happen, doesn't make it less annoying.

"Now excuse me while I fetch me some extra sugar for my coffee."
I see....:)

i found over the years that alot of guys just dont like girl bands. why?

probably because there insecure and feel threatened.

thats my opinion. my point of view has always been if you dont like my music try another channel. btw i thought the 3 vids i saw were very good.

i found over the years that alot of guys just dont like girl bands. why?

I read one time that it is the frequency of the female voice. Most men have a hard time understanding the lyrics unless the female singer is a raspy voice type. That might be why they say we never listen them in real life...

Gina, (my ex-wife's name) I've seen your
videos that you've posted on this site. I
think they are very good.

Not trying to stir anything up, but is this
the only site you've posted them on ? Just
trying to go through the process of elimination
to get to the bottom of this.

I have an analytical mind.

Some people just don't have any class to do that
without any reason why. We call them cowards.

=========================================

<><> Raspy <><>

Gina, (my ex-wife's name) I've seen your
videos that you've posted on this site. I
think they are very good.

Not trying to stir anything up, but is this
the only site you've posted them on ? Just
trying to go through the process of elimination
to get to the bottom of this.

I have an analytical mind.

Some people just don't have any class to do that
without any reason why. We call them cowards.

=========================================

<><> Raspy <><>

Yes raspy. This and GDP are the two places I posted yesterday. It's fine. Not everyone has to like me...I just don't understand going out of your way to click dislike on ALL my videos. It is not my job to understand them. I gave up my psych major long ago. My job now is to make music. And whether the haters like me or not, someone is paying me to pitch clams tonight...while the haters can watch youporn with sandpaper gloves. :)

You honestly don't understand why someone would go through every song and click dislike if they don't like the first song? I think it's pretty obviously not about the music at all, rather it's likely about the persona you have presented on this forum in your short arrival. (I haven't happened to check the other one, which I read a little less frequently than this one)

I watched a few seconds of each of your videos as they popped up in the recent threads. Without having any opinion whatsoever on your musical ability I can see how "making a big splash" and "announcing yourself" in such a way may come across as annoying to some people.

This is more than "hi guys, check out this song I did." it's more like "Look at me everybody!" And then post after post whining because of one thumbs down?

No, I didn't dislike your videos. I have never been to your channel. I'm sure you are a nice person and anybody who likes Gretsches is ok in my book.

But come on, don't sit there and pontificate in post after post about how lame it is to give a thumbs down on a YouTube video. That's lame. That's the opposite of thick skin. In fact, I submit that if you were a guy and posted the exact same stuff, you'd have plenty of negatives and you sure wouldn't have every poster kissing your ass just for showing up.

For the record, at my job I make viral type videos everyday and have seen them get every type of comment imaginable.

Chill StrayKitten, everythings fine!

The Internet makes contumely too easy; it has become the spineless enemy: Jelly Back. Too often, it's easy to click a button rather than offer up helpful criticism. I often find it quite telling that an average cruise through the television stations will land you eventually on a program called something like "Music's Most Embarrassing Moments" or some such. People love talking about these things. The irony that seems to escape our conversations, however, is the parade of talking heads who are actually making money to poke fun at others. Often, those talking heads have no other jobs to speak of, which means of course that the only thing THEY are good at is making wry comments about other people. Great gig, eh?

Gina, you have a great attitude about this. Keep at it. By and large, the folks who speak out are the ones who aren't spending the time they should be spending doing something constructive...such as making music.

I wouldn't worry too much about it.
its probably some person who can't play like you. ;3
Though I have gotten a thumbs down on one of my videos...Still hurts a little ;c;
..no, not really.

Gina

"Last call for a bar brawl" friggin' rules! I got so in to it that my mouse slipped and I hit dislike! Sorry.

Just kidding.

Hi, Gina,

I have seen many YouTube videos of good musicians who get cruel reviews and/or thumbs down. It's all to do with jealousy I think. In my 30 years of playing guitar, I have seen so many nasty, jealous people who rubbish other people's music, and then you hear them play (if they do play at all) and you realise they're not all that great themselves. I have learnt that good musicians who know their stuff will give you encouragement. It's the wannabes, would-be's and never-were's that put you down.
I had a look at your YouTube channel, and take it from someone who has been around, you're doing great! Please don't give up.

Regards,
Scott

Every Setzer video has several...so I guess I'm in good company!

Just out of curiosity, has anyone read til the end of the post?

I had one of the top 5 gigs of my life tonight. So good, the owner offered us a pay increase after our first gig. I know I put out a good product. And the haters can hate all they want. Do I want a potential booker to see thumbs down? Of course not! I'd be an idiot if I didn't think that mattered. (and shame on anyone who gig-blocks me just to teach me a lesson). I have worked VERY hard to get to where I am ... And I am not easily discouraged. I LOVE what I do. I feel like the luckiest girl
in the world. I write songs that get covered by international artists. I sang the national anthem for my favorite baseball team. I do what I love, and I make a respectable living at it. What is there to ***** about? Y'all don't really know me...yet...so I can see why it may have seemed like whining. It was not. It was more "if you don't like it, please, tell me why". I don't really care what youtubers think. My reputation and my "product" speak for themselves. I draw a crowd and I *keep* them. That's all I need to let me know where I stand.

It takes Balls to put your art in front of people... chances are, some may not like it, that's the chance you take. Waddaya gonna do? Guitar is a solitary pursuit, like most art, but our joy comes in sharing it with others - in a band or not, we, "shed wood" to get better at our craft - all alone, for the most part. Haters will hate, no doubt, but YOU must believe in what you're doing - if that's the case, who gives two ****s about what anyone else thinks? Youtube is full of bored, college and high school kids waiting to comment negatively on posts. Who cares? It's the intertubes! For the record, I think what you're doing is great, very impressive. Setzer rules ass. Who the fook cares what some anonymous douche on youtube thinks? Do what ya do, and get on.



//end of rant//

Don't get too worked up SK. [easy to say I know]. Your vids are really good. As a dopey old duffer, it never ceases amaze me how various forums [fora?] seem to attract the dregs of society. Keep on pickin'. Arf

Thank you for posting your vids SK, you are a great singer and player and it takes balls to step up front, especially with original music. You pull it off with the contagious conviction of a pro. But like everyone said, if you take the stage, there is always gonna be haters and even though they are minority, they often make more noise than the happy majority.

As a "bar" player, the one thing that made me come to peace with the seldom booers or the loud drunken piss off commentaries is watching Stevie Ray Vaughan's dvd of his first Montreux jazz festival gig. Watching a young and fierce SRV play like his life depends on it and hearing the boohs geting louder and louder song after song is extremely troubling. And reassuring at the same time. If the greatest blues kid of his generation can receive this kind of treatment from a crowd, no big deal if I get a booh or two once in a while !

Keep up with your work, you are on the way of something great !

SK, sounded good to me. ;)

I've been watching this thread. How many people who are not members can access this site and watch your video's ? You seem to be blaming someone on the member list for this terrible thing that was done to you. It may be a member or just someone passing through. Get over it.
Sounds harsh huh? Well maybe it is but your talking about a very large crowd, the WWW. Lot's of people on it.
I liked your video's and I subscribed to your channel but you need to understand that not everyone plays fair and there are a lot of troll's who just like to cause trouble.

Keep singing and playin';)
Tim

I just want to add that in my limited experience with this group I find it to be a very nice group of people and not prone to petty actions or words.
This is a nice place with good people and I myself doubt that it was a member who did the dirty deed:rolleyes:

I agree, I don't normally make negative comments, I just move on. Any performance, short of a national caliber musician, can probably be torn apart with criticism but that doesn't mean that the performance is bad. Most of us play music as a sideline and as such we don't have the time it takes to play as proficiently as, say, Brian Setzer. That doesn't mean that an honest effort is any less legitimate.

I saw nothing in that video of Too Hip to make it an antenna for negative comments. You didn't present it as being a huge professional accomplishment but you stated honestly that you were fairly new to lead playing and that this was something you had worked on. I enjoyed it and feel that you are well on your way.

I saw a cartoon a few years back that showed two dogs sitting in front of a computer. The first dog said to the second: "On the Internet, no on knows you're a dog". It serves as a pretty good model for all Internet communication, you often don't really know just who you are dealing with. Many people, probably most people, are at least basically honest about themselves on the 'net but it's almost impossible to tell who is who. I know for a fact that there's a Facebook page for someone called Scary Bob, a medical mannequin. :)

So, when it comes to votes up or down on a YouTube video there is no correlation between the count and reality unless/until the number of votes gets pretty high, 500 at a minimum. What probably happened is that someone went to your channel, entered a negative comment and then call upon a couple of friends to do the same. So what?! I've been playing for over 45 years, made my living in music at one time and I enjoyed what you did. Is Setzer going to lose any sleep worrying that you'll knock him off his hill? Probably not, but it's a good effort and in another 9 months of playing you'll probably advance further and continue to grow and learn musically.

If you put your work up for public scrutiny, you cannot control the response.

Led Zepplin never got a favorable review from Rolling Stone magazine and it didn't hurt their bookings.

I work with several bookers and they would not care if someone on youtube didn't like you... they would watch and decide for themselves if they thought your music would work for them or not... that is why they are in that business.

In a long career in the public eye, you will get lots of discouragement. Some of it will be honest, some will be mean spirited or jealous, it is best to not try to figure which is which and unless someone you respect tells you that you need to do something different, it is not very helpful.

Your posts here would discourage me from sharing what I thought you could improve because you appear to be defensive and ready for a battle rather than constructive criticism. I have not heard your songs, nor visited your youtube site and probably won't... It is all just a little bit 'over the top' for my taste and, like someone wrote above, the attitude (especially among people who are fellow musicians) incites negativity.

You are right, we don't know you... but, go back and re read your posts on this thread... is that how you really want to be introduced?

Could be worse: http://youtu.be/lPGud5z_SHE

Gina, you rawk and yeah, the anonymous jerk-wads online are just that. Why waste the energy?

Could be worse: http://youtu.be/lPGud5z_SHE

Gina, you rawk and yeah, the anonymous jerk-wads online are just that. Why waste the energy?

Hahaha.

Stray Kitten,

I've seen your flurry of enthusiastic posts both here and on GDP, and I must admit that initially, I just figured you for another rabid "newbie"...

However, I just now took the time to visit your youtube channel and your website.

I was dead wrong.
You sure ain't no "newbie". On top of that, you now have a new fan. Great work on both your covers and original material. Especially the original material! And although you somewhere described your voice as "rough", I prefer the term "naturally smoky"... at least that's what people say about mine! :D
Keep up the great work!

It is all just a little bit 'over the top' for my taste and, like someone wrote above, the attitude (especially among people who are fellow musicians) incites negativity.

You are right, we don't know you... but, go back and re read your posts on this thread... is that how you really want to be introduced?

The attitude. Good point getbent. Different than days of old. Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones, The Animals and a few others had a big stack of attitude. . Play a couple of their early videos on youtube. Did they act like they cared what you thought? And people went nuts over them.

But it was a different kind of attitude than what we hear today.

interesting comparison.

The stones didn't have a discussion forum to hang out at. The attitude was at their gigs and bands like the sex pistols came along trying to regain the attitude of the early stones and kinks etc....

but, it seems to me, you can't have it both ways. You can't have the "ram it clowny, this is my song" thing followed by the sally field "they like me, they really like me" thing....

If you play in earnest, some folks are gonna dig you and some aren't. Neither one is right... for the artist, they can act like it doesn't matter (and for many, it doesn't) or they can act like it does matter if people like them... but, either way, people, if they even look at all, get to react however they want to and there is not much to be done about that.

If you don't care what people think and you know you kick ass and are great, there is no reason to comment. If you do care and don't want negative feedback, turn off comments.

If an artist's ego craves compliments and is crushed by any negativity, then it isn't about the art, it is about vanity and ego. I think Mick and Keith truly believed they were great.. so why would the worry about a few wankers who might be negative.. they didn't matter.

In the end, we're just bangin' out a few tunes on our guitars, it isn't like we're painting the sistine chapel or something...

but, it seems to me, you can't have it both ways. You can't have the "ram it clowny, this is my song" thing followed by the sally field "they like me, they really like me" thing....

If an artist's ego craves compliments and is crushed by any negativity, then it isn't about the art, it is about vanity and ego.

The fact that these two positions/attitudes are contradictory doesn't mean one can't hold both in conflict. I think many artists do. For instance, the novelist George Eliot found negative reviews so debilitating that her partner, George Henry Lewes, would cut all the negative responses out of the papers before she read them. Her novel Middlemarch is considered one of the finest ever written in English. Virginia Woolf called it one of the few novels written for grown-ups. I think plenty of artists vacillate between massive, fist in the face of the universe self-assertion and confidence, and craving public validation. Beethoven seems a pretty well known musical example of this.

The fact that these two positions/attitudes are contradictory doesn't mean one can't hold both in conflict. I think many artists do. For instance, the novelist George Eliot found negative reviews so debilitating that her partner, George Henry Lewes, would cut all the negative responses out of the papers before she read them. Her novel Middlemarch is considered one of the finest ever written in English. Virginia Woolf called it one of the few novels written for grown-ups. I think plenty of artists vacillate between massive, fist in the face of the universe self-assertion and confidence, and craving public validation. Beethoven seems a pretty well known musical example of this.

I don't disagree, but the vanity behind it has nothing to do with the art and the 'weakness' of that is not a flattering part of the artist's persona....

also, the artist did not write the local paper and ask 'hey, what is up with the negative review' in cases where artists HAVE done that, it did not end favorably for the artist...

In the internet age, if you bang out a couple of tunes and record them and put them on a public site viewable and commentable by every person who can buy a computer (or get access at work or the library) you either need to 'cut out' the comments or accept some criticism that may be groundless...

I've been on gigs where the same guy thinks I'm the worst and best guitar player ever in the course of the same night. In both cases, I am gracious and smile and thank him for his input and don't give it much consideration either way...

I don't disagree, but the vanity behind it has nothing to do with the art and the 'weakness' of that is not a flattering part of the artist's persona....

In the internet age, if you bang out a couple of tunes and record them and put them on a public site viewable and commentable by every person who can buy a computer (or get access at work or the library) you either need to 'cut out' the comments or accept some criticism that may be groundless...

Who's to say which part of the creative process or performance is driven by which psychic mechanism? What inhibits and what drives? Whether it's a flattering part or not, it's pretty hard to parse these things.

But I agree wholeheartedly with the second paragraph.

I think you are right... it is hard to parse those things fo sho!

Really interesting points guys, thanks. I have performed and been around performers for years (not music) in a very subjective field. I have been complimented and scoffed at, and even though a professional I respect gave me one of my most favorable comments, it was the insult from someone I don't even respect that stayed with me longer. It hurts when you put yourself out there and you get slammed.

Or at least it does until that one day that you truly realize that no matter how excellent you become or no matter how many people love what you do, there will always be a ton of people who think it's utter garbage. Then, when that day happens, everything becomes a lot easier.

"or not saying thank you when you hold a door for them."

lol ya i hate that too!

If you do a good deed expecting recognition, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

I have to comment a second time on this one.

I can honestly say I hate no person on this earth. I have no time for hate. What a waste of energy.

But when I hear someone say "that old lady didn't even thank me for opening the door" I think "what a waste of resources". Doing charity for the sake of self gratification is the worst form of ego known to man.

As for the videos, I'm with Bent. If you'd have never said anything about the thumbs down comments, it would have been a much more graceful entrance. And I'm sure any of us that did wander over to view them wouldn't have even noticed that anyone made a negative comment at all. It would have been a non-item, if not for your mention.

Youtube is known for this kind of stuff. There are tons of kids that cruise youtube for the sole purpose of slamming people. They somehow get a kick out of it. There is even a term for them they're called trolls. you may have been trolled or someone may have legitimately not liked your songs and decided to express it. I believe most of the people here on this site were probably raised as I was, If you don't have anything positive to say don't say anything. I really doubt your youtube slams came from here. And I have only been here a very short time.
You probably just got trolled.

I don't disagree, but the vanity behind it has nothing to do with the art and the 'weakness' of that is not a flattering part of the artist's persona....

also, the artist did not write the local paper and ask 'hey, what is up with the negative review' in cases where artists HAVE done that, it did not end favorably for the artist...

In the internet age, if you bang out a couple of tunes and record them and put them on a public site viewable and commentable by every person who can buy a computer (or get access at work or the library) you either need to 'cut out' the comments or accept some criticism that may be groundless...

I've been on gigs where the same guy thinks I'm the worst and best guitar player ever in the course of the same night. In both cases, I am gracious and smile and thank him for his input and don't give it much consideration either way...

this is probably the best advice anyone could give you.:)

"If you do a good deed expecting recognition, you are doing it for the wrong reasons."

- you're assuming too much here. why would you think you have any understanding about my motivations? if i open a door (or any similar action) for somebody, i don't do it for recognition or a pat on the back. i was brought up like that. so in that situation, it's the first thing that comes to my head and i do it. but it's after the fact that i notice the person doesn't say thanks. it's not polite behaviour. and just as you have no time for hate, i have no time for rude people. life is too short to waste it on folks like that. it's not like it's the kind of thing that'll ruin my day. but in the moment that's how i feel. and a split second later i'm on with my life. get it?

No, I don't get it.

Just open up the door and leave it at that. You did your part. It shouldn't matter what their reaction is.

I hold doors open for people whether they're rude or not. Not my problem. My job is to be polite.

In fact, I love holding doors open for rude people. Maybe my kind little gesture will affect them in a postive way.

AND ANOTHER THING

Sometimes people are rude because a loved one just died. Or their dog. Or they got turned down for the 17th time, the house payments done, and unemployment won't cover the monthly nut.

I love rude people. They need it most.

"In fact, I love holding doors open for rude people. Maybe my kind little gesture will affect them in a postive way."

- and that's partly what it's about for me, moving positive energy. ya maybe there is something to that, maybe rude people do need it more. i still don't like rude behaviour. it bothers me just as much (for about a second) when i see it between two other people as well. it is what it is. but back to my point, i don't do it for "self gratification ".

and now... it's a beautiful day in Vancouver BC and i'm taking my son to the beach. but i'll be back later this afternoon if you'd like to chat on this some more. 'till then, have a great day :)

Enjoy the beach ! I'm off to soccer with the daughter, than a quick 2 hour bike ride, then back home to the pool with both kids. Sorry if I got preachy.

There will be some rude people at the pool, guaranteed. I'm gonna be ESPECIALLY nice to them, just to mess with their heads!!!

41 miles in the wind and 85F temps.

Now off to the pool with the kids (the wife has to work tonight), then probably ice cream and then to bed. Once the kids fall asleep I'll have to sneak out of bed, come downstairs, and do homework.

Pulled several posts that were against the rules....

in the words of John Lennon "No religion too" is the rule around here...

in the words of Jeff0, don't make me pull this car over!

I wanna hear about the ice cream jefe... I've had a terrible cold for a few weeks now, we had a gig last night and today and I feel just absolutely wiped out.. the whole band is sick.. but, we played like champs... our steel player has such a bad ear infection he couldn't hear at all today and we started calling him beethoven.. he played okay, but man, a couple of times his intonation was NOT happening... he is a total perfectionist (all steel players that don't suck are perfectionists) and so it drove him crazy....

I hope no one says mean stuff about him on youtube! either way, I made money for both gigs, and that is how they tell you they love you!

http://screamingmajority.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Young-Frankenstein.jpg

"I'm off to soccer with the daughter, than a quick 2 hour bike ride, then back home to the pool with both kids."

- wow full day! a quick 2 hour bike ride??? lol i think my legs would be rubber after an hour. haven't been on a bike in years

we had a good time at the beach, then i got a work out moewing the lawn... then we payed in the back yard. a nice sunday :)

2 hours, 10 minutes, 41 miles, 18.2 mph average. It was hot and windy. The 2 things I dislike most, followed closely by hills...and octogenarians that pass me and I can't catch.

@Getbent

I don't know about other states, but Michigan has been in a big BUY MICHIGAN mode for the past several years.

As such, local dairy is fresh...and AWESOME. Our milk is from cows barely 5 miles away, and the same dairy makes the BEST ice cream. If you go right to the parlor at the dairy, the servings are big enough to choke a rhino.

We go to the parlor on the corner. The kids each get a huge hand dipped scoop. Stas likes something chocolate in sugar cone, Valerie usually goes for cookie batter in a cake cone. Me - I get the fat free / sugar free frozen yogurt. I have them put a scoop of fresh strawberries, a whole banana, and then make a flurry. Healthy, and good!

As such, local dairy is fresh...and AWESOME. Our milk is from cows barely 5 miles away, and the same dairy makes the BEST ice cream. If you go right to the parlor at the dairy, the servings are big enough to choke a rhino.

We go to the parlor on the corner. The kids each get a huge hand dipped scoop. Stas likes something chocolate in sugar cone, Valerie usually goes for cookie batter in a cake cone. Me - I get the fat free / sugar free frozen yogurt. I have them put a scoop of fresh strawberries, a whole banana, and then make a flurry. Healthy, and good!

Which Dairy? Calder? How far from Ann Arbor?

BTW Matt at Berkley took great care of my DM-3. Thanks for the referral.

http://audioaficionado.org/images/smilies/BeatingDeadHorse.gifhttp://audioaficionado.org/images/smilies/BeatingDeadHorse.gif


http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh77/Koensayrbtls3/Funny/off-topic.jpg

Guernsey Farms in Novi.

There is also Baremans.

Worrying about youtube thumbs downs is like worrying about sand at the beach.

Ignore it. You sing and play really well. I won't Stand in your way is a great performance.

I agree with you StrayKitten. If you don't like a youtube video, no one is forcing you to sit and watch it, just move on. I don't think it was whining.

STOP WHINING

(say the line with an Arnold Swartzenegger accent)

STOP WHINING

(say the line with an Arnold Swartenegger accent)

You are cross and insensitive! and I wouldn't have it any other way. :D

Is that CROSS or CRASS?

Either fits.

http://roflrazzi.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/128915702659755735.jpg

STOP WHINING

(say the line with an Arnold Swartzenegger accent)

The sperminator ?

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<><> Raspy <><>

(scene from arnie's house)

Housekeeper: Is there anything that you need?
Arnie: clean up on aisle mine.