Today Strum Diesel, one of Second Life's premier songwriters was honored with a covered event. I didn't get to see much of this event, because it started a bit late after 11 am slt, and Lexie had a show starting at 12 PM SLT. Lexie's computer is currently a smoldering pile of “Not Working”, so we are sharing a computer. When I say sharing, I mean running two Second life Clients on the same computer and a stream. Who would have thought that would work? Well.. it kind of works. There are serious restrictions... but that is not what I'm here to talk about.Lexie and I opened the show with Strum's song “Gay”. We both commented before the song and as often is the case... I managed to offend some people.
Now I feel I should say right up front, I'm not trying to be a lightening rod for controversy. I really just say what I mean, and I never sit and ponder how people might take it. I'm not a politician and I don't have a handler. I'm just a guy with thoughts in my head, and some times those thoughts dribble out of my mouth as words. Now I have no problem understanding my own words, so I have to wonder why other people seem to miss the point. Perhaps their understanding of words are different from my own.
The comment made... and keep in mind I am paraphrasing myself here, was when the concept of the Covered event was presented to me, there were five songwriters that came to mind instantly as worth the bother of having such an event.
It was brought to my attention that some people thought I was being elitist and saying there were no other songwriters worth the bother. I didn't say that because I didn't think that. I don't even think that is true... but it might be. I don't know... I'm not sure.... You people..... CAN'T YOU SEE YOUR TEARING ME APART!!!!!!
Now I've been involved with every covered event so far and if you think it's not hard work you are quite wrong. Musicians in Second Life are some very busy people. It's a lot simpler to book them for an hour or half hour show then get them to line up to play two of somebody else songs. The reason they do it is because of respect for the songwriter, and it's probably one of the most community based musical events I can think of. The reason I say that, is because it's so much for the benefit of the artist honored. I've been Covered, and it's an amazing experience.
But it is hard work. It's cat juggling. Elura deserves mad props. I'm amazed she hasn't driven the bus into the lake, set it on fire and flown off with her personal jet pack cackling, “They said I was mad, I'LL SHOW THEM”!!!
My comment was intended to demonstrate the regard I hold Strum in, as both a songwriter and a performer. He is one of the guys at the top of my list, that is all I was saying.
As to other people and their suitability as honoree of a Covered Event, that isn't my call to make at all. I'm really not in anyway qualified to comment of the talent or lack of talent in the Second Life Songwriters pool. I play a lot of shows and really only catch people that play before me in most cases. I do have a select few performers I will go to see when I have time, but I'm basically out of the loop as to who does what.
One of the people I offended... I saw his act twice and was unaware he had original songs.
Summing things up. Strum = Good, Elura= thanks for the hard work, Covered = great community support, and as to those offended... in the playground vernacular, “Get up, your not hurt”.
It really is a pity what passes for controversy these days.
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