I am one of those
people who have a VERY diverse taste in music. Yes Backstage Live
Magazine is primarily a Rock & Roll magazine, however we DO write about
some Hip-Hop & Pop from time to time…just to keep things interesting
around here. I have had this article stuck in my brain since November
2006 & I finally have the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you
wonderful music lovers. Wondering what is with November of 2006? Let me
explain to you.
In November of 2006 I
was able to see one of my all time favorite female artists perform live
here in Calgary – Lisa Marie Presley. Sadly the advertising for her
performance was weak to say the least…thankfully my daughter is just as
much of a music fiend as I am and was by her radio when they did the
concert announcements. She flew down the hallway to the kitchen to tell
me that Lisa was coming…SWEET! Tickets were totally reasonable at $30.00
& she played at one of our clubs downtown ‘The Whiskey’. Her performance
was fantastic & I would go to see her again anytime. Where am I going
with this you ask…I’m about to get into that.
The radio station that
my daughter heard the concert announcement on was a local station here –
it’s one of those radio stations that generally plays artists who are in
the Top 40..no rock…just hip-hop & rap for the most part. So after the
weekend was over and of course the LMP show still on my brain…I decided to
call the Music Director of this particular station to see if I could get
him to play some LMP… I mean they DID present her show. Much to my dismay
I was quite frustrated as well as disappointed once our discussion was
over. The answer – “sorry Tracy we only play artists who are in the Top
40”. Really?...so here is the question that I would LOVE someone to give
me an answer to. WHY PRESENT AN ARTIST IF YOU DON’T PLAY THEIR MUSIC????
I’m quite sure the word I am looking for is hypocrite. SO basically I’ve
been told – and PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong – We (the radio station)
will present Lisa Marie Presley but for the love of GOD don’t call and ask
us to play her music because we won’t play her…what the hell is THAT????
So if you only play Top 40 – why even put your name on an artist’s work
that you have NO INTENT of supporting?? Needless to say nobody really
listens to that station in my home much anymore.
You can throw all the
promotion & marketing crap at me all you like…its still won’t answer my
question. I think this type of marketing tactic, if that’s what we call
it, is totally unfair to the fan & to the artist.
Lisa’s music is TOTALLY
radio friendly! Yes you may have to edit a few naughty words – I wonder
exactly how long it takes to censor a 50 Cent song?? Just a thought! On
her ‘Now What’ CD there is a song titled ‘Shine’ – she sings the song with
P!nk people!! YES a duet with P!nk…only one of the most played female
“Top 40” artists out there. Radio plays Don Henley’s version of ‘Dirty
Laundry’ so why not give Lisa’s a whirl on the air for awhile…let the
listeners be the judge. If more ladies could hear her tune “Idiot”…you
would understand my love of her lyrics as well as her spectacular, sexy
but ever so powerful vocals. Yes Lisa is blunt, it’s called honesty –
lots of song writers will write a song to vent their feelings or
frustrations, Lisa is no different. NO she does not sound like Elvis,
don’t be ridiculous – Lisa IS her own person and she IS a fantastic artist
– sadly lately there certain forms of media (and I use that term loosely)
that have been invading her personal space for photos since she is now
carrying twins. COME ON!! How pathetic can you be! I have no problem
standing up and saying LEAVE HER ALONE!!!!!! Her angelic work with the
homeless should be the primary focus of her life – never mind if she is
having children or not…that is HER business. Why has respect for the
artists been lost along the way? The ‘Red Carpet’ is the time and place
for photos and questions, better yet, do what you should do if you want to
speak with them…its called protocol & professionalism. Sadly these are
words you don’t find often enough either.
Well I don’t know about
you, but I feel better! I’m just trying to be honest my friends, I feel
it IS my duty as a fan of music as well as the Editor of our magazine to
be sure our focus is on the love of music. There is no gossip here, only
facts that come straight from the musicians we all love. Thanks for all
of your emails and questions – keep those fantastic CD’s coming in…wait
until you see who we have in store for you all this fall!
RAWK ON!
Tracy
