[Dixielandjazz] Federal Bailout for Musicians

[Diann Franks]

I agree we need a bail-out package , I'm a starving artist/banjoist and I have to work retail at below minimum wage just to pay my bills.

--- On Sat, 12/27/08, billsharp <sharp-b at clearwire.net> wrote:

From: billsharp <sharp-b at clearwire.net>
Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Federal Bailout for Musicians
To: "Diann" <swingbanjo at yahoo.com>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Date: Saturday, December 27, 2008, 4:14 PM

> 
> Jazz musicians look to federal budget for bailout support
>  
> Washington, D.C. (CNN)
>  
> In light of the recent downturn in the American economy, the nation's
jazz musicians have joined the long line of lobby groups looking to Washington
for support as the economy slides into a deepening recession.
>  
> The jazz industry is asking Washington for a bailout package and major
subsidies on par with that of the auto sector.
>  
> Jazz musicians also want access to credit and tax breaks to stimulate
investment and help the development of new recording and performance
opportunities.
>  
> “This recession has really got me dragged, you dig?” says Luther
“Hip Bones” Jones III, a  New York City saxophonist and a cornerstone of the
little known Wall Street Avant-Garde jazz scene.
>  
> “I mean, now that gigs aren’t  flowin’ on the scene, I actually
have to get up before noon and find a way to make some bread!”
>  
> Similarly, Jones’ associate Willie “Fat Cheeks” Hughes comments that
with the economy in near chaos, the demand for his jazz bagpipe skills has waned
considerably. Hughes also comments that with a sluggish economic situation, he
will soon have to find another girlfriend or else face certain homelessness.
>  
> While this crisis has been brewing for some time, a recent spike in the
number of trombonists delivering pizzas in New York ’s Greenwich Village has
recently brought this dire situation to the public’s attention.
>  
> Last week, however, jazz advocate Wynton Marsalis met with President
George W. Bush and the White House economic team to discuss the worsening
situation for America ’s jazz artists and a possible stimulus package.
>  
> Marsalis was quoted as saying: “I think it’s important for the
government to deal with this music, and understand that our musical recession
has actually been worsening since the demise of New York ’s 52nd Street scene
in the early 50’s and thanks to the racket these kids call 'Hip Hop'.
They really should have seen this coming. Once Miles went electric, it’s all
been downhill.” Marsalis continued, "I think that a strong monetary
stimulus package and mandatory listening to Duke Ellington records should
encourage a healthy economic recovery in the face of adversity.”
>  
> President Bush responded to these comments by replying that: “Mr.
Margolis has a very good point here. The country will be in dire straits if we
lose our “jazzy” beats. I mean, personally, I always enjoy a little Kenny G
in the evening while I try to woo the First Lady.”
>  
> Bush also commented that a global consensus on the state of the jazz
economy will have to be reached. “The way things stand, America ’s jazz
artists just can’t compete with the lower paid jazz artists currently flooding
the market from China .”
>  
> In related news: America ’s Blues musicians report an increase in
depressing lyrics. “Indicates a reflection of the times” claims one
downtrodden guitarist whose wife recently left him and whose dog has died.
> 
Bill "well-why-not us too" Sharp
IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. 
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