I was just thinking about how music is so unusual in its power to draw people together. This in itself is not really surprising, at least for those of us involved in the business. We see it first-hand. People who enjoy a particular band or musician attend a show, not as individuals, but as a crowd who share a common thing. Before, after and at breaks, they talk with strangers and friends alike about the music. People rarely spend an evening going on and on about the particular entree special or the draft of the month. Okay, there are certain Peel-your-own-shrimp nights and other events that draw customers, but not quite the same way. With food and coupons or atmosphere, people are drawn to a place, not each other. Does the steak taste better if the club is full? Not likely, but the joy of the music and fellowship in a crowded (not over-crowded) room somehow enhances the experience.
Music is not meant to be enjoyed alone. This is why so many people share (often illegaly) music they enjoy. Even if the friend is not there, just knowing that they at some point listened to the song gives one a sense of community. People join singing groups like choirs, whether at a church or community, not necessarily to be heard, but to enjoy the company of others enjoying music. And then there are those who go to hear them. We are social creatures and somehow music binds us together.
Given the knowledge of this power, which you surely already realized, isn't it odd that some establishments see live music as an expense which needs to be cut rather than an asset? There are those venues who understand this and appreciate live music and if all else is in order - the food, the service - they will do well even in this economy.
Jim Meck
Jim will be appearing at Valentino's on Feb. 27th at 8PM. Go to www.jimmeck.com for more info.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The Day the Music Died
We have read the articles, watched or listened to television and radio specials, and have sung “Bye-bye Miss American Pie” as we reflected on the 40th anniversary of the plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Richie Valens. Some remember where they were when they heard the news, others weren’t even born yet. Unlike the vigils held at Graceland for Elvis or at Central Park for John Lennon, there were no mobs of people to honor these musicians afterward. Buddy Holly became more popular after his death than he was at the time of the accident. His influence was only noted later. No one noticed when the plane crashed on February 3, 1959. The cornfield was quiet for hours. Only the snow witnessed the carnage as it tried to cover it up. It wasn’t until much later that anybody cared. There was a Grand Pause…
In March, many school districts will celebrate Music in Our Schools month (MIOS). There are numerous ways in which the students will demonstrate what they have learned, the skills the have acquired, and the gifts they have to share with the community. There will be concerts, clinics, and dinners. But, there are schools where only silence will grace the auditoriums, wishes for instruments will not be realized, and a chance to enjoy and explore one of life’s basic pleasures will be denied. These schools have cut their music programs or have severely disabled them due to economic hardships or competing interests.
Psychologist Dr. Howard Gardner referred to music as one of the seven intelligences in his Multiple Intelligence Theory (MI Theory). The others are logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Others have been added, but the point is that music is a basic important part of life and not just a leisure activity. It needs to remain in the core curriculum.
While difficult choices will need to be made in the coming months, we need to remember that thriving societies cherished the arts. We can all help in our own districts by supporting the music programs, buying fundraising items, attending concerts, participating in our child’s music booster organization (sometimes the only thing keeping the music alive!), and communicating to school officials how important these programs are to you, the community, and the generations to follow. Don’t stay as silent as the snow in that Iowa cornfield or blanket the wreckage with snowdrifts of excuses. The children need to know you care. There would be many more casualties if the blizzards of budget cut threats are ignored and that would truly be “The Day the Music Died”.
Jim Meck
http://www.jimmeck.com/
February 19, 2009 - Bear Creek Mountain Resort 7:00
February 21, 2009 - Conway's BBQ 8:00
For more information about MIOS or how you can make a difference, see http://www.menc.org/.
Jim earned his B.S. in Music Education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and holds his professional teaching certification for the Commonwealth of PA.
In March, many school districts will celebrate Music in Our Schools month (MIOS). There are numerous ways in which the students will demonstrate what they have learned, the skills the have acquired, and the gifts they have to share with the community. There will be concerts, clinics, and dinners. But, there are schools where only silence will grace the auditoriums, wishes for instruments will not be realized, and a chance to enjoy and explore one of life’s basic pleasures will be denied. These schools have cut their music programs or have severely disabled them due to economic hardships or competing interests.
Psychologist Dr. Howard Gardner referred to music as one of the seven intelligences in his Multiple Intelligence Theory (MI Theory). The others are logical-mathematical, linguistic, spatial, kinesthetic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal. Others have been added, but the point is that music is a basic important part of life and not just a leisure activity. It needs to remain in the core curriculum.
While difficult choices will need to be made in the coming months, we need to remember that thriving societies cherished the arts. We can all help in our own districts by supporting the music programs, buying fundraising items, attending concerts, participating in our child’s music booster organization (sometimes the only thing keeping the music alive!), and communicating to school officials how important these programs are to you, the community, and the generations to follow. Don’t stay as silent as the snow in that Iowa cornfield or blanket the wreckage with snowdrifts of excuses. The children need to know you care. There would be many more casualties if the blizzards of budget cut threats are ignored and that would truly be “The Day the Music Died”.
Jim Meck
http://www.jimmeck.com/
February 19, 2009 - Bear Creek Mountain Resort 7:00
February 21, 2009 - Conway's BBQ 8:00
For more information about MIOS or how you can make a difference, see http://www.menc.org/.
Jim earned his B.S. in Music Education from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania and holds his professional teaching certification for the Commonwealth of PA.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Blog Followers
Writing a blog to an anonymous audience is a challenge for sure. Who is reading what I write? What would people like to see? Is anyone reading at all?
I've found through so many years of performing that some of the most difficult gigs are those with little or no crowd reaction. I enjoy a small vibrant table of four in an otherwise empty room to a full house who seem to care less about my music. Of course, generally speakng, a large crowd offers a better chance that someone is listening and makes the manager happy - no crowds, no gigs. For those who have been somewhere that I've been playing, you know how much I try to honor requests if possible and usually as soon as I can (I don't want to forget the request). I feel my job is to provide entertainment for the people who are present, not so much for the manager or the hired help, though they are important, too. The best way for me to know how I can best accomplish that is to receive feedback. Otherwise, I keep experimenting until I get a reaction. The evening is about you, not me and I hope to help you escape whatever your day to day life hands you or help you celebrate a positive experience.
Your feedback on my blog works the same way. It lets me know what your interests are and lets me answer any questions you might have. Some of them might very well be shared by others. Also, by clicking on the "Follow this Blog" gives me an idea who my readers are, especially those who may not comment as readily. So, the comment is sort of the request line, but the followers are the rest of the crowd who are present at the gig.
I hope you enjoy this blog and share it with all your friends.
Thank you,
Jim
www.jimmeck.com
Feb 13 Bridge Inn
Feb 14 Market Cafe
I've found through so many years of performing that some of the most difficult gigs are those with little or no crowd reaction. I enjoy a small vibrant table of four in an otherwise empty room to a full house who seem to care less about my music. Of course, generally speakng, a large crowd offers a better chance that someone is listening and makes the manager happy - no crowds, no gigs. For those who have been somewhere that I've been playing, you know how much I try to honor requests if possible and usually as soon as I can (I don't want to forget the request). I feel my job is to provide entertainment for the people who are present, not so much for the manager or the hired help, though they are important, too. The best way for me to know how I can best accomplish that is to receive feedback. Otherwise, I keep experimenting until I get a reaction. The evening is about you, not me and I hope to help you escape whatever your day to day life hands you or help you celebrate a positive experience.
Your feedback on my blog works the same way. It lets me know what your interests are and lets me answer any questions you might have. Some of them might very well be shared by others. Also, by clicking on the "Follow this Blog" gives me an idea who my readers are, especially those who may not comment as readily. So, the comment is sort of the request line, but the followers are the rest of the crowd who are present at the gig.
I hope you enjoy this blog and share it with all your friends.
Thank you,
Jim
www.jimmeck.com
Feb 13 Bridge Inn
Feb 14 Market Cafe
Friday, February 6, 2009
Facebook group
After resisting the Facebook movement, I finally discovered the power of such a tool. A bit late perhaps, but at least it happened. My group "Jim Meck - official group" is a great way for me to inform people of upcoming gigs and other things going on in my musical life. You can also see photos of the Hockey This Morning guys from SiriusXM NHL Home Ice (Sirius 208/XM 204) for whom I wrote a song. They play it on occasion, but your requests would be appreciated. The show airs M-F from 7-11am. The name of the song is "Hockey This Morning" or as they call it "The Hockey This Morning Song". Their email is htm@nhlhomeice.com or you can call them at 877-645-6696 during open phone times.
My daughter created a group for her Relay for Life team - "K8 the Gr8 Relay for Life Team". This group is dedicated to raising funds for Relay for Life, an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Many of these funds support local people who are battling this disease. The Facebook group is only intended to be an information source and will direct you to the site where you can actually join her team or make a donation. See the link on my site www.jimmeck.com.
Other groups I have created include the Brandywine Heights Indoor Drum Line group and the Brandywine Heights Indoor Color Guard group. These are school ensembles which encourage local students to be involved in the music program in more ways than just band or chorus. The more positive opportunities our young people have, the better. Their home show is on March 21, 2009 at the Brandywine Heights High School near Topton, PA.
So even after much negativity about such community type sites, and there certainly are reasons to be cautious, there are many positive aspects to this technology. If you have a Facebook account, I hope you will consider joining one of these groups and
My daughter created a group for her Relay for Life team - "K8 the Gr8 Relay for Life Team". This group is dedicated to raising funds for Relay for Life, an event sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Many of these funds support local people who are battling this disease. The Facebook group is only intended to be an information source and will direct you to the site where you can actually join her team or make a donation. See the link on my site www.jimmeck.com.
Other groups I have created include the Brandywine Heights Indoor Drum Line group and the Brandywine Heights Indoor Color Guard group. These are school ensembles which encourage local students to be involved in the music program in more ways than just band or chorus. The more positive opportunities our young people have, the better. Their home show is on March 21, 2009 at the Brandywine Heights High School near Topton, PA.
So even after much negativity about such community type sites, and there certainly are reasons to be cautious, there are many positive aspects to this technology. If you have a Facebook account, I hope you will consider joining one of these groups and
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