JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum So Where Does Your Song Rank On Ourstage?

Good points Bill. I found that to be the same experience. I even received a couple of emails from Ourstage saying they respectfully changed a song to another category, to be a better fit. Now that's an attentive site! That means at least some staff is listening to all the songs, and actually caring about the end result. Not common at all, huh?

And Brian,,,,,Man! I can tell Ben that I know first hand what you do, from you giving me pointers here and there, and giving me an opportunity to try a song out at the showcases. And I only posted my opinions on the site, and not really giving that much in donations. I heard your voice in person Brain, and what Ben doesn't realize is the honesty and intention of your printed words. I understood your printed words more after meeting you.
Even in your latest reply here, I could hear your matter of fact way of talking, and not being mean spirited. The reserve of your temper amazes me, from some of the attacks you get. You don't demand a fee from members. You allow opinions to stand, even when they turn into attacking you personally. I would have been spitting out my words in a reply after such a rant. It's like he, or some others only hear what they want to hear so they can further attack.

I would like to try to balance the vibe above by saying a BIG THANK YOU for all you do for any member that wishes to take advantage of this site. And, to let you know that besides all the benefits of this site you and your brother created that I already mentioned, that one recent very cool thing happened:

Our band just played at a local small venue. The crowd was sparse from people being down the Jersey shore and other summer reasons. BUT, after one member from here, (Jeff Epstein), drove FROM the Jersey shore, (a long way), to hear us for the first time, he gave us all a lift. I recognized him from his avatar. He was beaming with smiles as he rush in during our fourth song and jump in the front row, dead center! ONE person who cares that much makes a huge difference. WE played our hearts out, and as I would like to think that would have happened anyway, I feel at least Iggy and I raised the performance level up a notch to make it our best night so far. If that is not making a difference, (positivity), then I don't know what else would be.

Without YOU and this site, there's no playing out for me solo in the first place. There's no band, for I wouldn't have had the momentum going when Bass2x called me just to "Jam" with him with his horn. I talked him into playing bass again, as I was all hopped up from your encouragement, and for allowing me to attend multiple showcases, whereas you could have asked me not to wear out my welcome. YOu gracously accepted where I wanted to play and even when I wanted to go on! Talk about devotion and caring to a JPF member. All I did was ask. Again, I wasn't a contributor, or any big deal, (still not). All Ben ever had to do is sign up or send in, to be heard by you, I know. From my first sending of another song 10 years ago, you kept interested. I know that goes for many here. As far as going to sites, I remember you telling me that you have a LOT to listen to with the awards, and would rather not go to site after site, having to sift though several pages that some people would have us all do, (jump through hoops to get to our songs). BUT, all anyone had to do to get listened by you was to simply send you a CD. I asked, and your answered. Done! I know it is not from NOT wanting to hear anybody's material, as it's a time issue, obviously. Can't be blamed for not hearing anyone's tunes, or reading lyrics, for sure. I don't do that much of that, and I don't have a million songs to listen to each year!

I saw you deal with the odd and nasty sound people at a certain venue, and not blow up in their face, as most would have for the way you were treated. (Really, it was the way your JPF members were treated, and you came to our defense in such a good character way about you. I felt proud and at ease at hav ing such a postive leader representing us all that night, (and really, that is how I hear you in your posts). Concerned for the whole group, and taking on individuals, either for the good or not so good for some, as the situation develops. One more thing. (And I know I am missing many more). I had asked you if you would ask someone you have good contacts with, to listen to a certain song.
To my delight, you had already done that for me weeks before, and told me exactly what the BIG guy from one BIG company said,,,,that he liked the song, but didn't know what market HE could work it in. I was happy as anything just to know you were working my promotion without letting it be known. I think that is great of you, and I know you must have done that for many others as you hear fit. If all the above about you is not being a great owner of an organization, then again, I don't know what is.

To Ben: If you met Brian, you wouldn't have had the same reaction, I'm sure. I would bet my house on it. It's like once we get a locked in defensive mode thing going, it becomes offensive, and gets blown out of proportion. All of what I said about Brian are facts, not ideas of some words here or there, or thoughts of "why not me", or similar. I can assure you, Brian is not a bad guy, or an unfair guy, or a mean spirited guy, even in the most debated discussions, which is a rare quality when just talking in print.

The end of my rant,
John