[Dixielandjazz] Re: "Trad" Jazz in the UK

[Bill Gunter]

Hi All,

Arnie asks:

>My question is, why is it so different in the USA, where it is hard to name 
>even one New Orleans/Chicago/ Dixieland/ Trad (whatever one wants to call 
>OKOM) which is well-known and plays all over the country, especially to 
>packed audiences in the same theatres which "pack them in" with opera, 
>rock, country music, Symphony Orchestras and Shakespeare companies?

Any thoughts?

Arnie . . .

If any of us knew the answer to that question we would be rich!  The ability 
to determine what is gonna be "popular" and cause ba-zillions to flock to 
the venues and buy recordings and pay $200 bucks for seats at the concerts 
would be worth millions!

Having said that I will venture that in order to achieve that sort of 
stardom you need to appeal to the LOWEST COMMON DENOMENATOR in the culture.  
These days it's pretty low.

Audiences want to participate rather than listen. They want VOLUME. They 
want youth. They want ATTITUDE! They want stuff that will offend anybody 
over 30.  Pander to that sort of audience and you, too, can be a 
millionaire!

How many of you think it was an accident that Justin Timberlake accidently 
exposed Janet Jackson's right knocker on national TV?  Hah!  It wasn't an 
"accident" . . . it was a "wardrobe malfunction." Yeah, right!  Permit me a 
moment to get over the giggles here . . .

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Gunter
jazzboard at hotmail.com