Grrr...

I really don't have time for this, because of that REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY important thing I have to do, but because some jerkwad upset people who are close to me, I must take a moment to vent.

I posted yesterday that I was thankful for my band and that the guys who are in it are the best musicians in town. If I want to say that because I believe it, I have every right to do so. It was also a "thank you" to all of them for taking time to get up early on a Sunday(during a time change at that), get dressed up, and meet with the professional photographer who came down from Conway to take photos for the Arkansas Bands Calendar we won a spot in. Tony even drove down from DeQueen. THIS is one reason why they are the best-they showed up, looked great, and we got some great new promotional shots that will be great for posters and other adverising. They are super-professional and we had a great time. I posted this "Thankful today for" update on my own site, and it was in appreciation for some really good people and all that they do.

The post led to some funny comments about which one of our guitar players was the best in town. Fun among band members, which is how it is with us. We're not in competition with each other. We all have strengths, great strengths, and that's how we operate. That's why this band has been playing for eight years.

Then someone has the gall to pop in to the conversation and start trouble. This person eventually slammed ALL of my guitar players. This person was not invited into the conversation and nothing we said was directed at this person to begin with. Individual X just wanted to cause problems, so I deleted the comments. X is now blocked and will stay blocked, because X continued to cause problems afterward on other Facebook pages. I don't even know X, in person or otherwise, so it's really no big loss.

What I say on my site is my business, and what I posted wasn't negative anyway. I don't seek out people and write derogatory comments on their sites. Anyone should say they have the best band, company, workgroup, school, whatever, because that's how that works. School kids don't show up at their own football games yelling, "We suck!! We're going to lose!!" Even if they're having a losing season, they're still going to yell, "Go team!"

Well...duh...

My guys are the best because they just ARE. They're not just excellent musicians, they're hardworking, normal, good people. They don't drink to excess, do drugs, get into fights, or get in trouble with the law. They wouldn't be in this band if they did, regardless of talent. They are welcome into my home and around my children and grandchildren anytime. They take time to come to rehearsals and help out with load-ins when they can. They are consistent, professional players and are on the same level as any of the college-educated musicians I've played with over the years. They're not poseurs or "misunderstood artists." They've all had prior experience in the business and know what it takes to make a successful band. It's about WORK and PRACTICE. The rest is just "Sprinkles." To keep enjoying "sprinkles," you have to BE REALLY GOOD, so people will continue to hire you.

(Notice I say "HIRE YOU?" Not "Allow musicians to grace people with their presence." I think only Prince can do that.)

NOBODY has the right to slam my band just because they're sitting around bored on a Sunday night with nothing to do but think that everything posted on Facebook has something to do with them personally. NO ONE has to right to upset a band member when that member is MY HUSBAND. That calls for a personal punch in the mouth, given the opportunity, especially if they've done it before then come crawling back with some half-hearted apology. Don's had a phenomenal career in the music industry, and continues to have one. And he created this band not just so he could still play but he did it FOR ME, because he wanted me to experience MY DREAM. And that couldn't happen without Ted, Tony, Allan, Smitty, and all the other fine players who've been Groovetones. My post was in honor of all of them, and had nothing to do with anyone else.

Also, it's not a good idea to cause trouble on someone's wife's site when she wasn't creating an issue in the first place. A husband SHOULD be upset by that, and be completely justified in his reaction, whether they're in a band together or not.

So, that being said, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my caffeine-free Coke, take a reading break, eat my supper, put in some time on the elliptical machine, and then get back to work on that REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY important thing that I have to do!!