One of the things I love about artist sites like Lalah's is that it's filled with music fans. I say again music fans. There is something different about a music fan than a non-music fan. Don't get me wrong, everyone likes music to some degree, but a music fan appreciates the artistry involved in creation of music, the talent of the artist and how well they've honed their craft.

Music fans are quite knowledgable of who they like and even moreso WHY they like them. Their minds are like libraries, where they can recall musical highlights. Music is not a passive experience.

Have you ever met those type of people who say they like a certain genre of music or a certain artist, but when you ask them who or what they like, they are clueless?? Those aren't true music fans!

So let me get your thoughts on this? Are music fans a particular type of people or are they just like anyone else?

We are a different breed of people when it comes to music, but we are the same as anyone else who is passionate about a particular thing. At work they say I'm full of "useless facts" because I usually have something they deem random to say about certain songs that play on Walgreens radio. They also call me the Walgreen Wayne Brady because I can sing along with 90% of the song that we play. There's this older customer that comes into the store, however, and wants to follow me around the store talking music and I love it. I think it's because it's my passion and what makes me happy, my first love. I have a friend who grew up cooking with her grandmother at church and who's family had a restaurant while she was growing up, and her love of food is similar to my love of music. I began to see cooking as an art form from being around her family. I also have a friend who stamp collects and collect coins. I really can't relate at all to anything he talks about, but I can always relate to his passion because it's how I feel about music.

That's a sinner that ain't gonna sin no more. - Tommy Gibbs aka Fred Williamson, Hell Up In Harlem

Oooh, I like that Jaefox!! Passion, that's really what it's all about!!

Go Wolverines!!!

**oops, did I say that**

You not only said, but you meant it and you liked it! LOL Hey Dave how are you?

That's a sinner that ain't gonna sin no more. - Tommy Gibbs aka Fred Williamson, Hell Up In Harlem

jaefox1 Wrote:
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> You not only said, but you meant it and you liked

Hey now, a brotha can make a Typo!

> it! LOL Hey Dave how are you?


I'm good, how've you been?

Yes we are wired different because we take this music thang personally. Don’t you say nothing bad about my Lalah, OK?

My relationship with music and artists has always been intense. Yes and I too am accused of being the bearer of too much trivial musical information. But, my friends and family call me whenever they want a review or to identify an artist, album or song title. (What’s that song that goes da da da by that man who used to sing with blah blah?)

I guess music got into me as a young child. I didn’t know it then but I could sense that it either set or changed the mood and atmosphere. There were all kinds of music around—gospel, blues, jazz, and soul--instrumental and vocal--and once I was in school classical and opera. But I guess the defining impact was my noticing that whether in church, at a backyard picnic, at a party or just around home listening to the radio, music always evoked strong feelings/emotions in me.

All that laid the foundation for me becoming a fan. The stories I heard told by family, visitors, buffs, or local musicians about a performer’s shows, antics or just info about them. Those stories always fascinated me. The need for knowing about the artist’s music was nurtured by the infamous “liner notes, Ebony and Jet, TV shows and interviews in the entertainment magazines. I devoured this information and it became a hunger that had to be fed.

But in the end as jaefox1 says it’s no different than any other “passion” and as our hostess sang so beautifully,”It’s What I Do”.

Well said Rosalind. I feel at times music has a "spiritual connection" even if it isn't spiritual music. It's as though music can heal some inner part of ourselves to make us whole.

Music is literally a part of my body. If I ever lost it, I would surely die.

www.myspace.com/melvinbrownjr

I am a Music Fan! and I take offense to those that feel other wise. Just because ones well of knowledge of an genre or a particular artist and ALL THEIR SONGS doesn't run as deep as others....that doesn't make those like myself any less of a music luva!

I'm a proud music knowledge slacker that can offer you some convo from time to time and I shall not be moved!!!!!!

lolol

________________________________
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."-Plato



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/26/2009 12:51PM by luv-e.

I am known as the go to person if any of my friends specially the non-true music friends need a question ask about music..I been a music fan since the early 70's and is so proud of it. Like Soul Music City said: Music is literally a part of my body. If I ever lost it, I would surely die. So true

Anyone get irritated when someone states they love an artist and can't name one song or they like a genre of music but can't name an artist?

I am wired differently, not a "fan" of music but more of appreciator of the artform and expression. Not one to really talk about music or rathe an Artist with people though I can be the go to guy for associates when they are looking for Originals to sampled songs or odd history.in relation to it. I see myself as more of a student of music and always seek knowledge and information, ironically I was told by the iconic musician "Barry Harris" last night at his Jazz workshop....."To be a master yuou must be a good slave to what it is you want to master!!"

I totally agree.It really upsets me when my peers hear a cd I am playing.And they ask who is this.I mean come on are u serious.I was at a Lalah and Rahsaan Patterson show.Most of the people there didn't know who she was.That really pissed me off.I think alot of people are just not cultured.I mean how many artists really perform these days with live bands.They definetly don't record with one.Its sad but reality

I don't get irritated because I also don't talk to alot of people about my obsession, I mean passion. If they are interested I'll share. I've initiated several people to artists like Lalah and Ledisi by inviting them to concerts or gifting them with music. That's why fan families like the Pinkroom are so vital, where you can type to people with similar interests.

I met a sister at Lalah's concert in L.A.. and she was her "biggest fan ever" but couldn't name many songs and only knew the music when she heard it. No problem cause when Ms Lah sang she really was a big fan and sang right along! I told her to join the site.

@luv-e I only know what I know and that ain't much in the grand scheme.

Yeah I'm with Auntie Joycve no need to get upset at others who are not exposed. expose them and you have done all you can

Rosalind Joyce Wrote:
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> I met a sister at Lalah's concert in L.A.. and she
> was her "biggest fan ever" but couldn't name many
> songs and only knew the music when she heard it.
> No problem cause when Ms Lah sang she really was a
> big fan and sang right along! I told her to join
> the site.

See, that's what I mean...

Everyone is not going to know everything.
If someone doesn’t know something and you do, why would you be irritated about that? If someone only likes Lalah for "When your life was low" and they don’t know any of her other material that doesn’t make them less of a fan of her music they simply just don’t know. If you know something, share it. Leading someone to more music should never be irritating. In fact if we look at the list of requirements of being a Music Fan (who is knowledgeable) I am sure sharing information is right up there with sharing the MP3.
To help someone discover music that they love should never be irritating it should be an honor. Why even have the conversation if you are not going to be cool.
Sounds to me like Music fans really need to lighten up.



Be easy its only Music.

I'm with Brick in that while I also teach music, I am still yet a student of it. It called to me a long time ago. They say pisceans are supposedly always in the arts or have a strong appreciation for it. I guess life could've still taken me to another direction but music is that. Having the gift of perfect pitch was my other indication. It's what I do.

As I said in another thread here, as an artist, you can't choose the types of fans or how they respond or don't respond to the music. Sometimes, they're not even responding to the music as it may be they just want to know you for something else entirely different....

I think we may take the music more seriously than others. I know I do. This is what I know. It's what I do so yes I take it seriously.

yeah Jeff I read Pieces and Aquarius love the arts.


I don't think I'm there yet ... as a serious music fan. But I appreciate an artist who can tell a story musically and who fuses sounds and voices together to create this wonderful music.

As I look back on my musical journey, it's almost surreal. I think as a music fan you kinda are drawn to the music just like any other art. Whether its photography, paintings, books/novels, poetry you have this feeling of wanting to absorb all that is in the genre.


@LaCresha You have to look at music like food. Some people are content with a process burger and some love a juice steak.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To exist is to change, to change is to mature and to mature is engage in the endless process of recreating your life.

- Pastor Lance Watson

peace 

We are a timeless breed and hopefully not an extinct one
as we speak aone of my college boys has asked me about some indie artists
he put up a lonk about Goapele. and now i have to school my boy on other artists

We have to spread the word of music to the masses like Jehovah Witnesses on a saturday morning lol
and if that doest work. just beat them over the head with a Lalah cd

Classic Jayrom!!!

I think it also depends on the type of artists we're talking about. For fans that go to see Beyonce, Justin, Janet or any of those in that particular arena, I think it's not necessarily about the music as it is about the bells & whistles. With that comes a whole other breed of fans that really don't care about the music (i.e. groupies).

While one doesn't have to know the entire catalog of whom they like, they do need to have a working knowledge of their work to be considered a fan.

Not true Davcole. A Fan is a derivative of the word "fanatic" as some cvan be a sports fan and yet know very little about the history of the sport past their DOI date of interest

Jeff Wrote:
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> I think it also depends on the type of artists
> we're talking about. For fans that go to see
> Beyonce, Justin, Janet or any of those in that
> particular arena, I think it's not necessarily
> about the music as it is about the bells &
> whistles. With that comes a whole other breed of
> fans that really don't care about the music (i.e.
> groupies).


As for Justin Timberlake, that young man has some real talent that he is finally able to showcase as a producer, writer, and musician. He has always had a crazy amount of soul in him. Dare I admit it here, I even have two N'SYNC CD's that I bought solely for JT cuz dat boy can SANG. Listen to his first CD through some headphones, and it will change your whole perspective of him. I consider his stage shows a huge bonus. He has a huge future behind the scenes IMO. Of course most of his fans aren't as deep about it as I am. I am seriously deep when it comes to music, the artist, and the whole package. Bey and Damita Jo are artists that always present a polished product and visual show, but I would rather see them during the creative process to see what they truly contribute outside of the vocal track because that to me is when an artist shows what they've really got.

I'm telling yall, this music thing is real for me. I seriously think I passed it along to my son who is 2 now. This boy has literally awaken out of his sleep to hear some music on TV and fell right back out cold when it went off. I was like . He will stop crying long enough to hear some music on TV. He even making up little ditties of his own already. Must be in his genes. Hmmmmm, I wonder if he'd like to grow up in Vegas.

www.myspace.com/melvinbrownjr

I think it's more the norm than the exception that people are unfamiliar or have a vague knowledge of artists who are not regularly on radio (which I never listen to), and/or have music videos/media exposure.
Jeff hit it on the head with the comment " I think it's not necessarily about the music as it is about the bells & whistles..."
Most people let the bells and whistles actually fool them into hearing something better than reality.
That's why when people say they like Beyonce, I think....
" would they like her if they were blind?"
"would they like her if she was a new unknown artist or is it just a phenomenon of riding the wave of what's popular?"
or " is she good?" Her ballads are dreadful and a blind record exec would point her to the door. Said with love

So let me ask SMC or others: Do people not understand your passion or deem it insignifant or condescend?

Brick Jones Wrote:
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> Not true Davcole. A Fan is a derivative of the
> word "fanatic" as some can be a sports fan and
> yet know very little about the history of the
> sport past their DOI date of interest


I have to agree w. Davcole. If you say you are a HUGE fan of an artist then you would know more beyond on hit you hear on the radio. (Beep aka Angeliue pointed that out to me) Like you would know Kenny G or Boney James full name. Possibly which albums they appeared on prior to their 1st solo release. You can say you are a fan because you admire their work but I think this is more of a diehard fan.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To exist is to change, to change is to mature and to mature is engage in the endless process of recreating your life.

- Pastor Lance Watson

peace 

Davcole Wrote:
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> So let me ask SMC or others: Do people not
> understand your passion or deem it insignifant or
> condescend?


Most people that know me get it and fully know how much it means to me. When certain artists comes to town, and my friends see me at the show, they all say, "I knew YOU would be here." That's all I heard the last time Prince came through. Pretty much everybody I saw that night said the same words almost verbatim. I used to buy CD's like crazy a few years back to the point it was almost an addiction. CD's were in my budget. I actually consider my music collection to be study material because it teaches me. When I listen to songs with others, I'll make a comment about a certain flourish, chord, or sound that is not usually noticed when listening to something. They're like "what are you talking about? I don't hear it." One of my friend, the cat that owns the record store, plays something in the store, he immediately hands me the CD booklet because he knows I love to read he credits and see who produced, wrote, and played on a project. Shoot, I'm even considering getting a treble and/or bass clef tattoo or some notes on a staff.

When it comes to dismissing my love of music, it's mainly family members that don't understand my passion especially when it comes to the many sacrifices I have made in the pursuit of it as a career. But the fact that I keep pushing on to get to where I'm meant to be has finally hit home with a few of them. I've been hitting it extra hard for the last 15 years trying to get into this industry full-time, but I'm not quite there. I've had many brushes with greatness, but I aint done yet. I have a few irons in the fire now that may finally catch and then we can hopefully put the meat on the grill. Either way it goes, God put this love of music in me as well as the abilities that I have acquired, and music will always be a part of me whether I'm playing it, producing it, writing it, or simply listening to it.

www.myspace.com/melvinbrownjr

Davcole Wrote:
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> So let me ask SMC or others: Do people not
> understand your passion or deem it insignifant or
> condescend?

The more I read post the more I think we are confusing fans of Artist with being passionate about Music. I don't feel that your passion is something that others have to understand or even respect. People who are condescending are just condescending to you as an individual because they feel you and your ideas are beneath them in most cases. It goes both was People who think they are afficianados will come off condescending on others veiws and opinions, For example I prefer the Bass Playing of Marniv Isley more than I do Victor Wooten and I would get a condescending remark if I don't reckognize the greatness of Wooten. I throw in creative taste right along with politics and religion as topics that should not be "argued"!! Trying to make some one "get it" is wasted energy I think the "be you" stance is the best. Like Jayrom, and others have shown how they do is the best sand most effective way to show your passion with out coming off condescending. Saturday here in brooklyn will be indicative ofthis discussion as Spike Lee is throwing a Birthday celebration for Michael Jackson there will be so many levels of passionate fans, true fans, and cats that just like his music