What does stardom????


Jeramie

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Let's be realistic here. Do you think Gaga would be as big as she is now had she continued down that path? No. She would have drowned in a sea of other artists who sing songs just like that.

I applaud her for being different, putting herself out there as someone who does what she wants to do, dresses how she wants to and doesn't give a flying crap about what anyone thinks of her. It's obviously working for her! :clap:

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Let's be realistic here. Do you think Gaga would be as big as she is now had she continued down that path? No. She would have drowned in a sea of other artists who sing songs just like that.

I applaud her for being different, putting herself out there as someone who does what she wants to do, dresses how she wants to and doesn't give a flying crap about what anyone thinks of her. It's obviously working for her! :clap:

I totally agree ....

Everyone seemed to have a negative opinion about Cher with her outrageous outfits and her I don't give a damn opinions .. but today she's considered a icon in all walks of music ... ;)

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Let's be realistic here. Do you think Gaga would be as big as she is now had she continued down that path? No. She would have drowned in a sea of other artists who sing songs just like that.

I applaud her for being different, putting herself out there as someone who does what she wants to do, dresses how she wants to and doesn't give a flying crap about what anyone thinks of her. It's obviously working for her! :clap:

Yes and no.... I guess it all depends on why you listen to music. I'm a purist and listen to music for the value, not so much just blind entertainment. There are a lot of people that feel that way too. Granted had she taken another path she may not be an icon but it all depends on how you want to be known, as a musician/ artist, or a flamboyant enertainer.....

There are tons of people out there that have made it on talent. They may not be cranked on every radio station around town but they have huge followings because of their talents. Personally (looking at it from an artist perspective) I would rather be known as an artist than an attraction.

Here is a short list of successful artist who had little flare but still have a stack of cash and a solid following

Sarah McLachlan

Jewel Kilcher

Natalie Merchant

Kasey Chambers

Mindy Smith

James Taylor

Don Henley (his later solo stuff)

Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Dave Mathews

Lisa Loeb

Dido

Jack Johnson

Joe Satriani

Johnny Lang

Susan Tedeschi

Kristin Hersch

Paula Cole

Sade

And that is a very, very short list. I could go on all day.

The problem is that music has been "modernized". A lot of it is shock value or whats trendy (anyone notice that country doesn't sound country anymore?). Sure it sales to todays generations but is it strong enough or artistic enough to stand the test of time? I seriously have my doubts.... Once music switched to shock value or entertainment purpose and lost its artistic roots it lost its longevity.

Does anyone really believe that in 30 years we will still hear Poker Face or something by the Plain White Tees on the radio and our kids will know the songs or crank it? I doubt it.

However, everyone knows who Led Zeppelin is. Everyone can sing along with Hendrix. Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Otis Redding, Billie Holiday, Etta James, Aerosmith, CCR, etc....

See where I'm going with this. They have bred talent out of the music industry in exchange for flare and billions. I guess it all depends on what an individual is looking for. I personally pay more attention to style, octaves, timing, hooks, etc rather than a meat suit at the MTV awards.

And to finish lets take this to a pictoral... ;)

Todays mainstream music

lady-gaga-meat-dress1.jpg

article-1198384-05A4CE7F000005DC-703_468x625.jpg

(and yes, they are both guys)

Tokio-Hotel-Bill-Tom.jpg

Or...........

Stevie%20Ray%20Vaughan%201989%20sized.jpg

mclachlan_piano.jpg

Kasey_Chambers_m269811.JPG

wgholiday.jpg

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I totally agree ....

Everyone seemed to have a negative opinion about Cher with her outrageous outfits and her I don't give a damn opinions .. but today she's considered a icon in all walks of music ... ;)

Cher however was around back when music was a movement and not just something you flip on when you get in the car.

Elton John is the same way. I watched an interview with him once and he said the reason he did the boas and out fits was because he had to compete with people like Peter Frampton, Zeppelin, etc. He said it wasn't enough to be a talented gay man. Now that being said, the difference with Elton John is that he is a really, really talented man. The reason he will be out there forever is because his writing and music is truly entertaining and has roots. The boas, platform shoes, and glitter may have got him attention but he didn't depend on it to make him an artist.

There were those in that same era that did and flopped. Very few people know who they are now..... For instance, Gary Glitter and Tiny Tim. ;)

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I don't know Jeramie ,, I consider myself to be a purist when it come to music as well ..

I listen to Celtic Woman, TSO, True Country ( I'm not speaking of today variety of country) not that I don't listen to that either .. ;)

I listen to what appeals to my ear, NOT as to what being put on for a show.

As for being heard in 30 yrs. I disagree ... JMO, understand ..

Look at artist such as Madonna, Pink, Twisted Sister, KISS as a real biggy, OZZY Osbourne, Metalica .. you see this list can go on and on also .. ;)

I think musicians/music is in the eye of the beholder, a song/singer I may appreciate may not appeal to you or someone else, but still has it's following and has it's value.

Just to use the artist mentioned ,,, If you take away ever being to see what she looks alike, I think her voice and music would still have a huge following just based on her shear talent for singing ... her musical education and background is that one of classical music I believe, she just chose to travel her own route .. ;)

We all have our own taste in what appeals to us I guess .. ;)

I hope I made sense .. :walkman:

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Stardom has done me a lot of good. Before I was famous no one really knew how I was. I try to keep on the downlow as much as possible and most dont know that I am famous and who I really am. I keep the low key and down to earth guy persona 24 hours a day. Stardom has helped me greatly in life with meeting people from all over the world and helps financially but I love the fact that all my friends and people that know me just as 'Ben' and nothing else have no idea how famous I really am.

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I don't know Jeramie ,, I consider myself to be a purist when it come to music as well ..

I listen to Celtic Woman, TSO, True Country ( I'm not speaking of today variety of country) not that I don't listen to that either .. ;)

Celtic woman is good stuff, TSO is incredible (Uncle Steven sent me the box set). They are great in concert too, and true country.... now we're talking. Sounds like youre pretty diverse. ;) Some of todays country is pretty good stuff but IMHO shouldnt be classified as country. Its not true to country roots...

I listen to what appeals to my ear, NOT as to what being put on for a show.

As for being heard in 30 yrs. I disagree ... JMO, understand ..

Yep, I get what youre driving at. I still have my doubts about that 30-year mark. ;)

Look at artist such as Madonna, Pink, Twisted Sister, KISS as a real biggy, OZZY Osbourne, Metalica .. you see this list can go on and on also .. ;)

Madonna was groundbreaking. She was doing things that others would hardly talk about. Papa Dont Preach got a TON of bad press for her loose morals. Today its a bubble gum song. She truly broke out of the mold for that era.

With the exception of Kiss and Twisted sister I think the others have built on their ability by their behavior. I think Kiss for the most part could have been a clean cut band and still made it. Twisted Sister? Not so much.. We remember blue eyeshadow and blond hair but how many 20-year olds do? ;)

Metalica is held by an entire different category. They are very talented and honestly I dont had they shown up covered in licorice would have helped or hurt record sales. They can be lumped in with groups like Aerosmith that have continuously re-invented themselves and succeeded! James and Curt are both great guitarist and that never hurts things....

I think musicians/music is in the eye of the beholder, a song/singer I may appreciate may not appeal to you or someone else, but still has it's following and has it's value.

You are absolutley correct. It is hugely in the ear and heart of the listener. I personally love James Taylors music (fire and rain, as good as it gets) but a lot of people cant stand James Taylor. At the same time Kenny G could fall down a well and I woudl be ok with that. :D

I just deeply question the longevity of music when you detract from the artist and the art by turning the artist into a show instead of an artist. I think there should be far more emphasis on music instead of headlines.

Just to use the artist mentioned ,,, If you take away ever being to see what she looks alike, I think her voice and music would still have a huge following just based on her shear talent for singing ... her musical education and background is that one of classical music I believe, she just chose to travel her own route .. ;)

That is actually 100% my point. The link I posted was her music and image purified. It wasn't the dressed up selling machine we see today. She actually has talent in spades. However, I don't agree that she chose to travel her own route. If that were the case I believe she would have been wearing the crazy outfits and acting strange from the get-go. Remember, that video was shot just a couple of years ago. The recording industry almost always changes the person for mass appeal and exposure.

Kelly Clarkson was told to lose weight right after she won Idol. She said no.... good for her. They wanted to change her instantly and she refused because she wanted to be an artist, not an image. Its happened over and over. Anastasia was another case. Before she got a recording deal she was well over 200lbs and had her own personality. She made an appearance on TV and then disappeared for a couple of years. When she did re-emerge she was MUCH skinnier, tanned, and wearing tons of bling.

I hope I made sense:walkman: ..

Oh yeah.... ;)

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Stardom has done me a lot of good. Before I was famous no one really knew how I was. I try to keep on the downlow as much as possible and most dont know that I am famous and who I really am. I keep the low key and down to earth guy persona 24 hours a day. Stardom has helped me greatly in life with meeting people from all over the world and helps financially but I love the fact that all my friends and people that know me just as 'Ben' and nothing else have no idea how famous I really am.

Stiller?

Folds Five?

Or Gentle Ben from Grizzly Adams?

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Holy crap, did I tell you that story or what? How did you know? I am assuming you are referring to the college story and not the actor, correct?

edit: and by the way, this is not referring to the famous stuff, this is a different thing.

Let me guess.. you broke your leg and a white duck paid you while you were off work?

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Let me guess.. you broke your leg and a white duck paid you while you were off work?

Negative, it was a nickname given to me my freshmen and sophmore year of college. The story of how and why I got it is great and I am assuming I have told Kyle at some point. I thought I put that memory in the file cabinet to never speak of it again, but here it is. lol

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