Save the Music… For What?
Last night VH1 aired its Save the Music concert. I didn’t see it, but it got me thinking: what exactly are they saving the music for? When we turn on the popular radio stations these days, we’re bombarded by rap artists who string together words about killing and such as fast as they can to music that’s basically stolen from older artists or created on a computer. On the alternative stations we’ve got singers who benefit greatly from advances in studio editing. If you don’t believe me on that one, I suggest you catch an episode of Ashlee Simpson’s reality show. And do I even need to mention the increase in incidents of lip-synching?
VH1 and MTV have a huge amount of control over the course of popular music. I’ve heard well-known artists on shows like Howard Stern begging for a chance to have their music heard because they just didn’t have enough influence to have their music played on MTV. And these two conglomerates further exacerbate the problem by only playing music in clips during TRL and during the hours of midnight at 5am.
Now before you jump on me for being hypocritical, I’ll gladly admit to owning CDs by Eminem and Outkast because the music is often fun to listen to, but that’s not the point I’m making here. VH1 professes to have a charity which “purchases new musical instruments to restore music education programs that have been cut due to budget reductions in the past or to save programs at risk of elimination due to lack of instruments. The Foundation also conducts awareness campaigns, musical instrument drives and fundraising events.” But I ask you, what happens to the kids who do reap the benefits of this program? Do you think they’ll be playing backup for the likes of Britney and Jessica? Do you think you’ll ever hear a sax solo in the middle of an Everclear song? Do you think they’ll use music theory to write original sounding music?
So I say if VH1 really wants to ‘Save the Music’, then they need to make opportunities for people with these extraordinary talents to perform and earn a decent living. They are the reason, ultimately, for the decline of music and shame on them for pretending that they’re the ones trying to save it.
kinda surpized that as a the wife of a former professional musician, u dont think that raising money for trumpets and drums is a good idea. i mean, uve been a part of the flagstaff indy music scene so u know its not all about wide airplay. sure VH1 and MTV have a lot of control over what makes up popular music today, but those of us that spend money on small venue tickets and buying shirts and CDs at the shows help keep it the rest alive. and if u cant afford a guitar to get started, its tough to grow up to be a rock hero =)
guess thats is why u filed this one under touchy subjects
Ahhh, see I was hoping someone would make that point, because then I could further point out: my husband has a degree in music. Jazz to be exact. He earned his way through college playing music in a town that was very music-friendly and open to culture. However, that is NOT the norm, which is why my husband is now a firefighter. If you ask him if hed rather be a firefighter or play professionally, it wouldnt even be a question if there were actually opportunities for musicians these days.
Do you remember Dominick, the sax player? Short Bus with Nayler? That guy was by far the most gifted musician to come out of Flag in longer than anyone can remember. Hes been struggling in NYC since and has a temporary gig w/ a band only known in Festival circuits. You think hes not frustrated that actual music, coming from instruments, isnt more mainstream? And for as popular as Motet is (thats who hes playing for), I hear hes not pulling down too much for it.
And as far as playing music for the love of music, I agree thats whats so great about Flagstaff, but that place is one in a million, and none of those people are paying the bills by playing gigs.
Oh, and I should point out that my issue is not with raising money for kids to learn music, I think that is a brilliant idea for exposure, as well as it gets kids thinking differently. My issue is that the people professing to be helping the situation are the ones who create it.
Dude youre married to Dominick! Sweet! wait a sec. I just reread the posts. nevermind…. looks like youre married to Ryan? dont think I know him.
anyhow, yeah Americas all forked up with the greed and glamore, unfortunately if you want to do anything to pay the bills then its called work aka business…not art
I struggle with this unfortunate realization all of the time
Well, I can tell you that having the money at my elementary and junior high to fund orchestra was a treat. I did appreciate music and continue to have a wide variety of musical interest because of my days battling it out with the viola. I think their intention is good, but I agree that commercial music is becoming more bland by the day. Eminem, however, shouldnt be grouped in. If anything, I think he is a pioneer.
Wouldnt it be the Beastie Boys that are the pioneers?
so youre saying Eminem is derivative of the Beastie Boys? I would definitely disagree with that… maybe Blink 182, but Eminem? Just because theyre both white and rappers? I think Eminem is brilliant. Hes such an amazing poet. His songs have such raw emotion and yet analysis of our culture and his life at the same time. love him.
personally, i would have been most impressed if she had married naylor. but then thats only because I wanted to marry naylor… =D
Naylors awesome, but not for me… Ryan actually ran into him the other day at a spring training game (Ryan was working it). I guess hes getting married.
Anyway, Eminem himself said he chalked his talent up to the Beasties when he won at the Grammies a few years ago. Just saying…
Is it that the BB and Eminem are that revolutionary or is it more that they served a dramatic purpose at a specific time? They are both powerhouses when it comes to performance, but I wonder…is it really their raw talent that makes them good or the times in which they strive…I like them both a lot, but you throw in other amazing performers who were doing their thing but it didnt click as much as it did for those two (EZ E, 2 Live Crew) — Did we, as a society, make them more than what they really are because of their differences to the culture they were emerging from? Hmmmm….
gees, what a topic.
I dont think VH1 and MTV being crappy has anything to do with raising money for music in the schools. And it is rare that kids who pursue music through high school, maybe even college, really want to be a famous musician. I will continue to support the Save the Music movement because I think that it is SO important to have fine arts options for children so that they can grow up to be well rounded people. Band was everything to me and nearly daily I experience things I can relate back to it.
I do however, agree with you that popular music has been in a rut for the past few years and that it doesnt seem to be getting better.
On Eminem and BB…. both fabulous. I agree with Min that Eminem is an amazing poet and the raw emotion he can draw out with his lyrics is top notch. BB were just so original when they came about and it proved highly successful for them.