Internet Radio, PBS & NewsGroups
J
and not the messenger.
In just a couple of weeks in the U.S. there will be the State of the
Union and it's troubling, well let's look at the state of Polka Music-
no NOT one state but the status, also troubling.
TOPIC ONE
Granted, as the availability of regular AM and FM outlets became
scarce and the internet was a viable alterative 247Polkaheaven and The
Jammer became two alternatives, now in the past year why, I repeat why
do we need AOL music - does that help our causes or fragment it? Have
you heard the segues of music, granted there's a place for Yankovic
style and Chicago push style but there needs to be some continuity.
Okay move on towards the end of the year, now some of the DaJammer
folks disgruntled with Jammer run off to create a Legacy network, just
a great brainstorm of further fragmentation. Sure as the argument
goes in our free enterprise all are welcome to start-up of do what
they want, but do these people have self glory or the music at heart?
TOPIC TWO
Speaking of fragmented why did we need another news forum so everyone
can put "their true posted name", yes there were a few jerks out there
with wayward posts or dumb slanderous remarks, but this is/was an open
spirited public forum. Most of the time very candid opinions and true.
All of a sudden another brainstorm arose for one more web site the
spotlight of this topic - the exclusivity of another news group.
TOPIC THREE
There was much personal innuendos or personal assaults here recently
which I don't agree with, but this PBS venue that the Sturr
organization is underway with just reeks of 98% self glorification and
free publicity for Jimmy and the musicians he has contracted with the
remaining 02% of "polka" publicity. Years ago when PBS published their
polka show from the past there were three bands with three varying
styles, that was the traditional PBS "educational" culture. This
current spectacle is just one sided publicity stunt. Are there other
bands? I was further horrified when Jimmy gave NO respect to Dan Gury
when attempting to add publicity - hey Jimmy go along with it. Dan is
modern in his ideas and attempts new directions for polkas. Take a
lesson form the playbook. Yes the Sturr group has blazed new territory
but will the legacy be the contribution of the overall growth and
respect of the music or the debris of closed dancehalls and ended
festivals left behind?
Frankenmuth has reduced their August dance time, Wildwood Polka Spree
has shutdown, Polkabration is no more and Hunter Mountain once was.
Trouble with the life of polkas in the US is always something breaking
apart, USPA, IPA, UPA but nothing uniting the cause. Across the USA
(and the globe for that matter) 2010 is a tight year financially,
polka bands may not survive, dance halls may close their doors and our
music may be a faint memory.
Bands, fans get together and further the causes, don't further
fragment.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Mike Surratt
1. So what if AOL is now broadcasting polka music and how does this
show the demise of polka? 247 & daJammer (that's funny) are all we
need?
2. Since you didn't actually give a name, I can see why you disapprove
of the new polka online forum. I, for one, don't feel that this is
doing harm to polka. There are countless newsgroup/forums on the net
about many different music subjects/genres. Some folks are more
comfortable discussing things on a moderated forum. So?
3. Ok - I agree that some festivals are going away. But, other places
seems to be thriving. I guess you want a list -- Blob's Park in
Jessup, MD reopened, Bullshooters in WI seems to be doing well,
Oktoberfests are thriving and I'm sure there are lots of other venues
that I didn't mention that are continuing & growing.
4. PBS and Jimmy Sturr ? You act as if Jimmy Sturr runs PBS -- Sorry,
a multi-grammy winning, gold record selling artist might be showcased
by PBS producers more than a band that plays 3 times a month. As far
as a JS slight to Dan Gury -- that's between them and bringing up
(promoting) "bumps" in the road only show the bad side of
polka...thanks
Hey, if a few bands can't survive -- it's their fault, not any of the
reasons that you mention. If you want to work playing music, you have
to diversify and have a strong commitment to take the good with the
bad. Some gigs come and go...find or create other ones. I'll use JS as
an example -- he runs his own functions/fest/weekends -- he creates
his own work. This is not a new concept.
"Bands, fans get together and further the causes, don't further
fragment. "
Good thought -- the bands are here -- how about getting all those fans
together and reporting back to us...
MS
Peter J. Danielczuk
> together and reporting back to us...
>
> MS
Good answer Mike! By the way Polka Legacy is being started by Jack
Baciewski who was the originator of the Jammer. Anyone who knows
Jack, also knows that Jack could care less about glory. All that he
does comes from his heart to promote Polka music.
He spends lots of his own money to promote it. I am glad that I am
part of this new network as well as that I am pround to be with Ray
and 247.
Peter
Johnzz
in a few thoughts to Franks post. #1, there is no connection with
polka music and the State of the Union address, a poor way to
introduce his thoughts, but they are appreciated no matter how he
delivers them for discussion. Topic One, wasn't polka music more
popular when every radio and local TV stations had polka
programming? Don't understand the direction here, there is ampol
programming over the internet from many college stations and internet
broadcasters, like 247, Jammer, WRJQ, Legacy and a ton of college
stations. Why do we need AOL, simple, it is another outlet to have
our music exposed on a world wide level, who in their right mind would
not take advantage of this free exposure opportunity? Your statement
"but do these people have self glory or the music at heart?" Based on
this statement from you, I have to believe you fall into the glory
catagory.
Topic Two,
If you want to deal with internet assholes, don't want to identify
yourself, and do not care about being discouraged by having a thread
go down the drain because of disruptive people that have no direction
other than being disruptive, then enjoy this site.
For those people that respect each other, have positive information to
share and want to make a meaningfull contributrion that they know will
be intellegently discussed and heard, then it is PolkasUnited, not
Google, and formally we had another alternet safe site hosted by Mike
Surratte.
Topic Three and Four.
There were alot of things from years ago, not the same today. I think
that the Sturr/Gury thing was a staged thing that Dan arrainged with
Jim, it is in line with all the other Dury videos. Yep Hunter
Mountain, WildWood and a ton of other polka festivals have ended, as
well as so many local polka festivals and polka venues and clubs have
disappeared. The closing of the Baby Doll Club in Chicago pretty
much says it all a few years ago, and we all have our local examples,
but our music is still alive, so why not focus on the positive instead
of the negative and be a partner in keeping our music alive and moving
forward. Adding AOl is positive, adding Legacy is positive, Blob's
Park is positive, Polish festivals in New Englan over the last two
years have recorded record attendance and net profits, these are good
and positive situations. We need to focas on forward direction, not
finding and expressing personell negative opinions, although I have to
agree that they are welcomed on this forum, but it is your choice on
what you post, and what the reaction to your posts you hopefull will
respond to. Looking forward to your comments and response,
Happy New Year to all,
John