[Dixielandjazz] FW: Bloody Typical

[Bill Haesler]

Dear friends,
This letter to one of our local newspapers sums up, in a way, what some of
our DJMLers are on about at the moment.
Kind regards,
Bill. 

Idols gave no respect
23 November 2005 
I HAD the questionable privilege of being a guest at the Australian Idol
telecast on Monday night at the Sydney Opera House. It consisted mostly of
watching inane video footage of our young finalists' "Idol Journeys" on a
large screen, somehow making the Opera House Concert Hall feel like some
very wealthy friend's enormous loungeroom. However, the thing that appalled
me most, as a professional musician, was the complete lack of
acknowledgement for the band. Not one singer who performed turned around to
thank music director John Foreman or any of the musicians present, many of
whom are degree-qualified instrumentalists and very highly experienced
performers in Australia and abroad. Determined to let the band know I
appreciated their efforts, I made my way down to the official after-party
only to discover that the band hadn't been invited. If the Idols want to be
respected as valid performing artists, they could start by showing respect
for their fellow performers.
Sally Whitwell
Sydney, NSW