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| The Wrath of Grace...and a rebuttal. |
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 While editing and approving calendar posts last week I did something I've never done before; I included an editor's note that MB does not endorse exclusion based on economic status, race, religion, sexual preference, etc. . . Why? The posted gig was for the Bloomfield Hills Country Club - a club that allows entrance only for the priveleged few who can afford to belong. I probably wouldn't have bothered, but I couldn't even view the included URL without a password and that just rubbed me the wrong way. Eventually, I pulled the editor's note, but not before incurring the wrath of Grace who posted the gig. Click "Read More" to read her response and my rebuttal. - Mitch
Don't Mind If I Do...
Elite (n.) L. : Elect ; the best, most powerful
Patron (n.) L. : Father; benefactor, one who sponsers & supports , a regular customer
Simply defined, these two words can easily explain WHY those of us who are fortunate enough to be called to play for the 'elitist' community gladly grant them them the favor of our finest performance...for a very generous fee.
So often I hear other musicians, with whom I am aquainted, complain about the low pay (if ANY) 'offered' by local venues, in which we all perform, at one time or another. In our own forums, on this site, you can find discussion of the lack of patronage availble for local artists & performers.
'Patrons' of the arts have always been of the 'elite' social-status & the majority of 'great artists' whose work was ever published & immortalized, were those who performed for the 'royals' of their time. I, for one, have no shame in performing 'on command' for people who are fortunate & generous enough to offer me three-times what the 'average' bar-gig in Metro Detroit does, as payment for my 'services'.
Let's face it...'art for art sake' is most definately the most noble cause we all share & we have all perfomed in places & for fees which we felt were 'beneath' our worth as performers. But I don't think I have ever met a performer who 'minds' if it is a paying-gig....I've never heard any of my fellow musicians say, "Oh, no....you don't have to pay me....I love to perform for free!"
So where is it 'written' that we should not be damned grateful for & proud of our ability to perform for those who can afford to make us feel like 'super-stars' in our own right? I, for one, am most appreciative for the opportunity to perform in the 'finer arena' of posh clubs & other such private scenes...it's NICE having some guy in a tuxedo load your equipment into a golf cart & drive it to the stage for you. It is also NICE to go home with more money from a 3 hour performance than you can make in an 8 hour bar-shift.
So, no....I DON'T mind the 'elite'....'they' make it possible for me to support my family AS a performer....that's NOT so bad.
Grace.
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Privelege 1. A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.
Now, I don't want to get off on a rant here, but....
Working-class rascal that I am, I'll admit to a certain amount of hostility towards the priveleged class, especially in light of recent events. Crimes committed by the cream of that crop walked away with millions while thumbing their noses to Congress and the people by pleading the 5th to keep their powdered asses out of jail. People like Kenneth Lay, Robert Fastow (Enron), Alfred Taubman (Christie's debacle) and the like had better hide their mugs away in their country clubs to prevent working people from slapping them upside the fucking head just out of principle. Yesterday they were revered as Icons of Industry, today they've proven their just greedy bastards who'll take whatever they can from those with less means and no "membership" perks. I'm generalizing in the extreme, of course, but fuck it, I'm on a roll.
"Country Clubs" by their rules and practices incubate and breed that very kind of arrogance, snobbery and exclusion by segregating themselves from the Hoi Polloi (i.e. the common people or anybody who doesn't "fit" - even if they have talent). An example? How 'bout Fuzzy Zoeller's reference to Tiger Woods as "that liltle boy" and urging him not to order fried chicken or collard greens '...or whatever the hell they serve' (my italics) for the Champion's Dinner? Somehow I think if Fuzzy had spent a little more time in a public clubhouse instead of an exclusive country club he wouldn't have said somethiing so fucking stupid - even as an intended harmless joke.
According to MyGolf.com, The Bloomfield Hills Country Club is so exclusive it doesn't even allow guests! So I hope you got paid really well, Auntie Grace, because you may be able to sing for your dinner at the BHCC- but you'll never, ever be a member. Unless you marry rich, of course.
But alas, I'm a hipocrite. Would I have taken a gig that paid three times my regular pay? Probably. Did I hesitate or decline to play tennis as a guest of a member of The Wrenfields at a private club in Dearborn? Nope. Are all rich people evil, money-grubbing fuckheads without so much as a sliver of conscience? Not by a long shot. But I've got a real sore spot for classist pricks who'd horde the spoils they "earned" by the sweat of the less fortunate.
Eventually, anyone who finds succe$$ in the music business will be rubbing shoulders if not having their shoulders rubbed in an elite "Country Club" of one type or another. That's part of the celebrity dream, isn't it? But, I submit, never without selling a piece of your creative soul in the process.
Of course that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.
- Mitch "The Liberal Bitch"
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'GENERALIZING IN THE EXTREME' (Score: 1)
by graceiam on Friday, August 02, 2002 @ 15:46:05 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://grace.i.am | | I'd say, yes, absolutely, Mitch, you, too, have a bit of pent up 'wrath' when discussing the double-edged sword of artistic ethics. But at least you are big enough to admit your hipocracy. Privelege is the 'payment' ....yes, sometimes the payment goes to a fat-cat with no moral conscience, however, "generalizing in the extreme" happens to be a thing that rubs ME the wrong way... it's that same 'old song & dance' ...on the fence...which side is greener....which way should I lean? Who among us can honestly say we would NOT prefer to enjoy 'peculiar benefits & special exemptions'? We are ALL 'working class'...until, one day, after we 'pay our dues' maybe OUR ship comes in & presto-chango, WE become the 'privelged'...'they' are 'us'. I work two jobs & have raised & supported a household with 3 sons for the last 20 years. I received no child support for the first thirteen years of my 15 year-old twins lives. Unfortunately, I didn't marry for money....I married a bass player. I have always shied away from dating 'the wealthy' because I have no desire to live as the 'country club set' ... it's not my scene...but it IS my 'act'! I do old, torchy Jazz & Blues...I go well with the 'atmosphere' in 'those' places better than most bar rooms. I AM the hired-help when I perform in exclusive places & yes, I DID get paid REALLY well, thank you! I try not to hold against them that they CAN pay me what I would like to receive for my performance. I also try not hold them all responsible for the actions or bad judgement of "other" people with lots of money! That would be like saying ALL bass players are addicts & liars just because my exhusband was! I submit, if my soul were for sale...I wouldn't still BE a 'working-class' rascal...you can come & see for yourself...Mt. Chalet, Sunday 2-12! I have never felt 'compromised' by accepting a 'better paying' gig & my creativity actually tends to be 'freed' by the comfort of knowing that my work is appreciated enough to earn me 'favor'. I was simply posting my gig....letting everyone know what I'm doing....some people actually asked me do that...I didn't know it was going to ruffle anyone's feathers to know that GRACE is payin' the bills! XOXOXO |
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Re: The Wrath of Grace...and a rebuttal. (Score: 1)
by Rick on Monday, August 05, 2002 @ 23:23:11 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.michiganbands.com | A little controversy ...
I'm taken back to a time when I did stint with a lounge act.
I had the opportunity to play at the Peterson Airforce Base officers club. The band did a six week stint there. Understand that this base is located in the shadow of Cheyenne mountain, the mountain that houses NORAD Space Command. Yeah, the thing that they always show on the nuke movies.
The club itself is known as the Cadillac of officers clubs. It hosts dignitaries from all over the country and world, senators, presidents etc.
One night in particular I had the chance to visit with the former head of NORAD command (retired) at the club. I can't mention names, but he was a very decorated general. The guy had paid his dues.
We got into a discussion about drinking and he mentioned that a man in his position couldn't go just any where to have a little fun. The media would have ripped this guy apart.
I think that this is the primary draw of these clubs. Many of the members are more than well know in their community. They can't just drop in at the local pub and get a little buzz going. In addition there is something to be said about hanging with people that are in the same boat as you. Big money brings it's own set of problems, not necessisarily solutions to all problems.
I agree that clubs shouldn't discriminate, but the world is full of them and not all of them are posh establishments. Last time I checked you still need a card to get into a Moose club.
Grace, I'm with you on this one.
Rick |
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Last Word? (Score: 1)
by Mitch on Tuesday, August 06, 2002 @ 18:14:02 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) http://www.michiganbands.com | | Ok. I've stirred up the bees and unleashed a tempest in a teapot (albeit a very small tempest). That's what an editor's supposed to do, right? Engage the readers. But I want to ask you one question, Grace: Do you really think any of our readers could get into The Bloomfield Hills Country Club or even have a password to their website? Why would you even post that here? If there is a member of The Bloomfield Hills Country Club who is a registered user and a fan of local independent music - I'd love to hear from them. |
- Re: Last Word? by graceiam on Wednesday, August 07, 2002 @ 16:44:11 EDT
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Re: The Wrath of Grace...and a rebuttal. (Score: 1)
by distortiondave on Tuesday, August 13, 2002 @ 19:14:00 EDT
(User Info | Send a Message) | Mitch, you liberal *****:
I do believe that Gracie got ya...but good!
Grace's raised some good points that even a redneck punk like me has to agree with!
DXD
(Shit, did I just end a sentance with a preposition?) :-) |
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