[Dixielandjazz] Band Info, Drexel Univ.Student

[TCASHWIGG at aol.com]

Like it or not folks:

This is the way it is done if you want to promote OKOM and continue to reach 
out for new audiences.  Or for that matter any other kind of music.


If many of you had done this over the last forty years you would not have so 
few gigs today and this great art form would not be suffering the current 
feelings of demise.

Some of you don't like Steve for his constant in your face marketing and 
reach beyond the call of duty to communicate with younger inquiring minds seeking 
real music and an alternative to the current music of today.

Wake up and understand that they are looking for it but so many of you are 
still hiding your light under bushel.

Any of you who have had any semblance of success and enjoyment from this 
music need to get off your asses and go take it to the next group of kids 5 to 60 
who have not been exposed to it.   


I guarantee you that every time you reach out and touch someone with it 
someone will reach out and touch you with a gig, that's how it works.  A couple of 
you have joked with me about my taking my six year old grandson out to hear 
music and he got so excited that he wanted to meet the band and told them his 
papa was gonna give him a drum lesson next Saturday and he would come back and 
join their band.

 That is what it is all about folks, instill it in them when they are young 
and they will pursue it and maybe not make some of the mistakes many of us made 
and return OKOM to it's once glorious and prestigious position in music.  We 
owe it to them, and if we don't do it then we have no right to sit around and 
bitch about the lack of OKOM.

So if you think Steve Barbone is an arrogant SOB with his constant preaching 
about promoting and marketing, just be thankful I don't scream the same thing 
in your ear every damned day of the week, because if this music is to survive 
and reap the benefits of a resurgence and popularity, this is the way it is 
gong to happen folks.

Cheers,

Tom Wiggins

I have not yet had the pleasure of hearing Steve's Band in person, but it 
does not matter he is doing what all OKOM bands should be doing and if you are 
not, shame on you and you shall indeed reap what you sew.