From: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org (basia-digest) To: basia-digest@smoe.org Subject: basia-digest V14 #40 Reply-To: basia@smoe.org Sender: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-basia-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "basia-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. basia-digest Friday, April 9 2010 Volume 14 : Number 040 Today's Subjects: ----------------- So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So [j w ] Re: So [Barry Parsons ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So [Bev Okin-Larkin ] Re: So [j w ] Re: So [Bev Okin-Larkin ] Re: So [j w ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] Fwd: Re: So [Steve Richardson ] Re: Fwd: Re: So ["marzenie_99@yahoo.com" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 12:26:43 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: So So, the shows. Danny is asking around to the PTB as to why particular cities aren't on the roster. Nothing may come of it, but there is this: if this tour does well, they will "definitely" (yes, he said definitely) come back in the fall, hopefully to hit the other cities. Hopefully. (that part is not "definitely"!) Again, this stuff is out of their hands. The economy, deteriorating radio sitch and things like routing are factors as to why the PTBs aren't placing Basia in all our theaters. (Bev came up with the PTB- Powers That Be, managers agents promoters etc. Love Basia community acronyms!) Things being what they are these days, it's not a guarantee for more shows-- but our heroes ARE listening to you guys. In the meantime let's try to do what we can to make this tour a success! Sheryl, what was the FB group again? Couldn't hurt! maybe people can start ear-bugging the new SJ station in Chicagoland. 87 point something. Leslie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 14:54:16 -0700 (PDT) From: j w Subject: Re: So I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." - ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" To: basia2@yahoogroups.com; basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 3:26:43 PM Subject: So So, the shows. Danny is asking around to the PTB as to why particular cities aren't on the roster. Nothing may come of it, but there is this: if this tour does well, they will "definitely" (yes, he said definitely) come back in the fall, hopefully to hit the other cities. Hopefully. (that part is not "definitely"!) Again, this stuff is out of their hands. The economy, deteriorating radio sitch and things like routing are factors as to why the PTBs aren't placing Basia in all our theaters. (Bev came up with the PTB- Powers That Be, managers agents promoters etc. Love Basia community acronyms!) Things being what they are these days, it's not a guarantee for more shows-- but our heroes ARE listening to you guys. In the meantime let's try to do what we can to make this tour a success! Sheryl, what was the FB group again? Couldn't hurt! maybe people can start ear-bugging the new SJ station in Chicagoland. 87 point something. Leslie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 17:15:33 -0500 From: Barry Parsons Subject: Re: So Even one Midwest show would be worthwhile. I think 2 or 3 or more would do well. On Apr 8, 2010 5:10 PM, "j w" wrote: I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." - ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" < marzenie_99@yahoo.com> To: basia2@yah... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 15:55:07 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So If she ever did Chicago *and* Cleveland, I'd totally go to both. Because I could drive to both. (I don't dare to dream about Detroit) Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: Barry Parsons To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:15:33 PM Subject: Re: So Even one Midwest show would be worthwhile. I think 2 or 3 or more would do well. On Apr 8, 2010 5:10 PM, "j w" wrote: I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." - ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" < marzenie_99@yahoo.com> To: basia2@yah... ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 15:54:01 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So Yeah, *we* know she has staying power. I'm surmising there might be issues with skittish promoters. Perhaps she has to "re-prove" herself in the market- she hasn't toured on her own here in 16 years and her last tour here was tied to an act people didn't know that was really poorly promoted and suffered as a result (which is a crying shame- I will always say that was a fantastic album). They also have her in very good venues this time. That's a big big big big big plus especially compared to the 05 tour. Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: j w To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 5:54:16 PM Subject: Re: So I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2010 18:21:23 -0500 From: Bev Okin-Larkin Subject: Re: So Folks, I hate to be a downer, we just have to PRAY the East/West coast gigs get the draws. I know my jazz comes from the West Coast via an iPhone Clock Radio app. I'm buying a ticket to LA since my wife said the trip is my b-day present. I can't work another date/locale in since we have family schedule shuffling going on. Otherwise, I would not be able to see her at all this tour. I have NO smooth jazz available within 150 miles except at really OFF times (7am Sundays as an example) on public radio....so my music comes from the internet. We KNOW she is awesome, however I am always still trying to get more recruits. Even on the 2005 Matt Bianco "Reunion Tour" where at San Antonio, it was "Matt Bianco featuring Basia" - people were scattered. The local "jazz" station didn't even run ONE ad or Basia/Matt Bianco song in the two hours it took for us to get there from home. Yet they were supposed to be hosting the show. That was lip service and I called their station while we are on the road after the first hour to ask for the music...no response, nothing, nothing played the next day either. Radio is run by large corporations who have call lists of what they broadcast...and if an artist doesn't "make it" you don't hear it. Artists get paid for selling albums, and they need to be able to promote them through radio. The internet allows for more options...but it is getting rough out there for those without a major label promoting them. It chaps my behind to hear the "adult contemporary station" running Taylor Swift (pitchy!) instead of Basia, sade, etc. I'd rather hear adults singing dangit! Look at those AWESOME ads from Japan and Manila PROMOTING Basia - I cried with joy since THEY appreciate her talent as much as we do. USA Jazz scene is so small right now and the music industry so jaded.... All we can do is pray hard that the gigs sell out and the PTB (promoters) see that our lady is BACK!!! Best to all, - -- Bev Okin-Larkin On 4/8/2010 5:55 PM, marzenie_99@yahoo.com wrote: > If she ever did Chicago *and* Cleveland, I'd totally go to both. Because I could drive to both. > > (I don't dare to dream about Detroit) > > Leslie > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Barry Parsons > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:15:33 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > Even one Midwest show would be worthwhile. I think 2 or 3 or more would do > well. > > On Apr 8, 2010 5:10 PM, "j w" wrote: > > > I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing > power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when > I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets > even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." > > ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com"< > marzenie_99@yahoo.com> To: basia2@yah... > > - -- - -- Bev Okin-Larkin ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 17:18:20 -0700 (PDT) From: j w Subject: Re: So I wasn't aware that the '05 tour had problems with attendance. Obviously that changes things. - ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:54:01 PM Subject: Re: So Yeah, *we* know she has staying power. I'm surmising there might be issues with skittish promoters. Perhaps she has to "re-prove" herself in the market- she hasn't toured on her own here in 16 years and her last tour here was tied to an act people didn't know that was really poorly promoted and suffered as a result (which is a crying shame- I will always say that was a fantastic album). They also have her in very good venues this time. That's a big big big big big plus especially compared to the 05 tour. Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: j w To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 5:54:16 PM Subject: Re: So I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:37:20 -0500 From: Bev Okin-Larkin Subject: Re: So jw, I would call it recognition problems. Their marketing as Matt Bianco was weak (to be nice).... her Basia - It's That Girl Again had waaay better marketing last year. She was on local news, etc. on West Coast, seen in larger markets. In San Antonio, she was at a very nice venue, the Empire Theater....great acoustics - pretty filled room from what I could see. But yet, I bumped into people who DIDN'T "get" the Matt Bianco angle. We are interested enough to look up her history, find others through this mailing list and basiaweb.com....we KNOW. It's getting the rest of the folks on board. One of the things I always say to people is: "You've HEARD Basia, you just may not know who she is...." since down here I can have Basia moments at many of my local stores. Her songs are in fairly strong rotation, but the "canned" stores don't have a dj telling people who that was...nor are there any cross-promotions. Basia is at some amazing venues this time - and this SHOULD be the SPARKs that get the tongues wagging again IMHO. Promote her! Tell your friends, etc! That's what I do...I have about 50-60 people I've converted to Team Basia. Most of the folks I know at work are thrilled I am going to LA - and told me that if she was in Texas, they'd want to travel to see her. We know she wouldn't come to Corpus Christi (unless maybe it was for the Texas Jazz Festival, hint hint to Danny - since I know you lurk here dear man) - but we'd road trip to Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Again, pray East and West coasts are sell-outs and excellent reviews! - -- Bev Okin-Larkin On 4/8/2010 7:18 PM, j w wrote: > I wasn't aware that the '05 tour had problems with attendance. Obviously that changes things. > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:54:01 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > Yeah, *we* know she has staying power. I'm surmising there might be issues with skittish promoters. Perhaps she has to "re-prove" herself in the market- she hasn't toured on her own here in 16 years and her last tour here was tied to an act people didn't know that was really poorly promoted and suffered as a result (which is a crying shame- I will always say that was a fantastic album). > > They also have her in very good venues this time. That's a big big big big big plus especially compared to the 05 tour. > > Leslie > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: j w > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 5:54:16 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." > > - -- - -- Bev Okin-Larkin ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 18:14:17 -0700 (PDT) From: j w Subject: Re: So Well, again, at least in Cleveland she was in a very nice and good sized theater and it either sold out or close to it. I'm not arguing that the general public knows her as well as we do -- obviously that's not true -- I'm just saying that I don't get why she has to reprove herself when, after another long hiatus, she seemed to draw good crowds last time. But apparently she didn't and Cleveland was an exception. - ----- Original Message ---- From: Bev Okin-Larkin To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 8:37:20 PM Subject: Re: So jw, I would call it recognition problems. Their marketing as Matt Bianco was weak (to be nice).... her Basia - It's That Girl Again had waaay better marketing last year. She was on local news, etc. on West Coast, seen in larger markets. In San Antonio, she was at a very nice venue, the Empire Theater....great acoustics - pretty filled room from what I could see. But yet, I bumped into people who DIDN'T "get" the Matt Bianco angle. We are interested enough to look up her history, find others through this mailing list and basiaweb.com....we KNOW. It's getting the rest of the folks on board. One of the things I always say to people is: "You've HEARD Basia, you just may not know who she is...." since down here I can have Basia moments at many of my local stores. Her songs are in fairly strong rotation, but the "canned" stores don't have a dj telling people who that was...nor are there any cross-promotions. Basia is at some amazing venues this time - and this SHOULD be the SPARKs that get the tongues wagging again IMHO. Promote her! Tell your friends, etc! That's what I do...I have about 50-60 people I've converted to Team Basia. Most of the folks I know at work are thrilled I am going to LA - and told me that if she was in Texas, they'd want to travel to see her. We know she wouldn't come to Corpus Christi (unless maybe it was for the Texas Jazz Festival, hint hint to Danny - since I know you lurk here dear man) - but we'd road trip to Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Again, pray East and West coasts are sell-outs and excellent reviews! - -- Bev Okin-Larkin On 4/8/2010 7:18 PM, j w wrote: > I wasn't aware that the '05 tour had problems with attendance. Obviously that changes things. > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:54:01 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > Yeah, *we* know she has staying power. I'm surmising there might be issues with skittish promoters. Perhaps she has to "re-prove" herself in the market- she hasn't toured on her own here in 16 years and her last tour here was tied to an act people didn't know that was really poorly promoted and suffered as a result (which is a crying shame- I will always say that was a fantastic album). > > They also have her in very good venues this time. That's a big big big big big plus especially compared to the 05 tour. > > Leslie > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: j w > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 5:54:16 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." > > - -- -- Bev Okin-Larkin ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 19:37:38 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So The tour with matt bianco was pretty different, quite disadvantaged from the start and I don't think it's fair to compare them. It's also not fair for us to compare us to Japan or the Phillipines because the scene is SO different in those places and quite unusual. It's so different too from 1990, that was a special time and a different world. Basia did amazing things at a time when feats like that were taken for granted. I was reading today how poorly Rihanna was selling the last time she went out on the road. rihanna, one of the hugest stars in pop! We're in an age where we have a handful of Huge Pop Stars and everyone else has smaller but more devoted followings (and usually more talent). But perhaps more freedom. A lot of the artists from that era- sorry Basia, I'm gonna make you sound of a certain age and I don't mean it - are playing the kind of venues she is playing on this tour and doing quite well without traditional support. The more they do it, it sells itself after a while it seems. I like this mix of "jazz"/R&B festivals, medium theaters/clubs, and performing arts venues. This is a very good mix. Particularly since this series is basically acoustic, it's going to appeal to many and I hope the response will recognize that. We have a lot to look forward to and it's so too early to be worried. Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: Bev Okin-Larkin To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 7:21:23 PM Subject: Re: So Folks, I hate to be a downer, we just have to PRAY the East/West coast gigs get the draws. I know my jazz comes from the West Coast via an iPhone Clock Radio app. I'm buying a ticket to LA since my wife said the trip is my b-day present. I can't work another date/locale in since we have family schedule shuffling going on. Otherwise, I would not be able to see her at all this tour. I have NO smooth jazz available within 150 miles except at really OFF times (7am Sundays as an example) on public radio....so my music comes from the internet. We KNOW she is awesome, however I am always still trying to get more recruits. Even on the 2005 Matt Bianco "Reunion Tour" where at San Antonio, it was "Matt Bianco featuring Basia" - people were scattered. The local "jazz" station didn't even run ONE ad or Basia/Matt Bianco song in the two hours it took for us to get there from home. Yet they were supposed to be hosting the show. That was lip service and I called their station while we are on the road after the first hour to ask for the music...no response, nothing, nothing played the next day either. Radio is run by large corporations who have call lists of what they broadcast...and if an artist doesn't "make it" you don't hear it. Artists get paid for selling albums, and they need to be able to promote them through radio. The internet allows for more options...but it is getting rough out there for those without a major label promoting them. It chaps my behind to hear the "adult contemporary station" running Taylor Swift (pitchy!) instead of Basia, sade, etc. I'd rather hear adults singing dangit! Look at those AWESOME ads from Japan and Manila PROMOTING Basia - I cried with joy since THEY appreciate her talent as much as we do. USA Jazz scene is so small right now and the music industry so jaded.... All we can do is pray hard that the gigs sell out and the PTB (promoters) see that our lady is BACK!!! Best to all, - -- Bev Okin-Larkin On 4/8/2010 5:55 PM, marzenie_99@yahoo.com wrote: > If she ever did Chicago *and* Cleveland, I'd totally go to both. Because I could drive to both. > > (I don't dare to dream about Detroit) > > Leslie > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > From: Barry Parsons > To: basia@smoe.org > Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 6:15:33 PM > Subject: Re: So > > > Even one Midwest show would be worthwhile. I think 2 or 3 or more would do > well. > > On Apr 8, 2010 5:10 PM, "j w" wrote: > > > I don't get the, "If the shows do well," part. We know she's got drawing > power. She did great business with Matt Bianco; I can assure you that when > I saw here in Cleveland, the audience was there to see her. The tickets > even said, "Basia, featuring Matt Bianco." > > ----- Original Message ---- From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com"< > marzenie_99@yahoo.com> To: basia2@yah... > > - -- -- Bev Okin-Larkin ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 19:56:44 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So It depended on the location- for example, Cleveland, Atlanta, Houston, all had big turnouts. But Chicago had some weird problems with venue changes (it did sell out in the end at the same venue Basia played back in 88) as did Detroit, which had zero promotion. A crime because I know they would have done well there- of course by emphasizing Basia at every turn. I got a lot of email about various shows at the time with attendees just learning the day of that Basia was playing. Basically it suffered from poor publicity all around. But what an opportunity for us who did discover they were back. I think that it set things up for new work and new touring, and we got to let Basia and Danny know we wanted them back in action. It was a great experiment and as an early mb fan it was a blissful time! Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: j w To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 8:18:20 PM Subject: Re: So I wasn't aware that the '05 tour had problems with attendance. Obviously that changes things. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 19:59:19 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So I'm sure it wouldn't be an issue if the economy wasn't so iffy and the business itself wasn't so iffy. But this is still conjecturing- who knows! Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: j w To: beejmart@swbell.net; basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 9:14:17 PM Subject: Re: So Well, again, at least in Cleveland she was in a very nice and good sized theater and it either sold out or close to it. I'm not arguing that the general public knows her as well as we do -- obviously that's not true -- I'm just saying that I don't get why she has to reprove herself when, after another long hiatus, she seemed to draw good crowds last time. But apparently she didn't and Cleveland was an exception. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 20:01:49 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: So Sorry for the lack of conciseness tonight- I could have probably said all that in far fewer words. Tired, long day, enthusiasm on low fuel. :) Leslie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:08:56 -0700 From: Steve Richardson Subject: Fwd: Re: So I'd love to see Basia and Danny partnered up with some other acts and hitting the road, anything to fill the seats. Peter White's "Guitars & Saxes" group is always out touring - imagine what a great double-bill they'd make with Basia. Of course, she'd blow them away at every stop, but that's okay! Steve R. Leslie said: The tour with matt bianco was pretty different, quite disadvantaged from the start and I don't think it's fair to compare them. It's also not fair for us to compare us to Japan or the Phillipines because the scene is SO different in those places and quite unusual. It's so different too from 1990, that was a special time and a different world. Basia did amazing things at a time when feats like that were taken for granted. I was reading today how poorly Rihanna was selling the last time she went out on the road. rihanna, one of the hugest stars in pop! We're in an age where we have a handful of Huge Pop Stars and everyone else has smaller but more devoted followings (and usually more talent). But perhaps more freedom. A lot of the artists from that era- sorry Basia, I'm gonna make you sound of a certain age and I don't mean it - are playing the kind of venues she is playing on this tour and doing quite well without traditional support. The more they do it, it sells itself after a while it seems. I like this mix of "jazz"/R&B festivals, medium theaters/clubs, and performing arts venues. This is a very good mix. Particularly since this series is basically acoustic, it's going to appeal to many and I hope the response will recognize that. We have a lot to look forward to and it's so too early to be worried. Leslie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 Apr 2010 20:28:57 -0700 (PDT) From: "marzenie_99@yahoo.com" Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: So Ha, I could live with that! (And doesn't it seem like Peter has been perpetually touring since... ever? Amazing really!) Leslie - ----- Original Message ---- From: Steve Richardson To: basia@smoe.org Sent: Thu, April 8, 2010 11:08:56 PM Subject: Fwd: Re: So I'd love to see Basia and Danny partnered up with some other acts and hitting the road, anything to fill the seats. Peter White's "Guitars & Saxes" group is always out touring - imagine what a great double-bill they'd make with Basia. Of course, she'd blow them away at every stop, but that's okay! Steve R. Leslie said: The tour with matt bianco was pretty different, quite disadvantaged from the start and I don't think it's fair to compare them. It's also not fair for us to compare us to Japan or the Phillipines because the scene is SO different in those places and quite unusual. It's so different too from 1990, that was a special time and a different world. Basia did amazing things at a time when feats like that were taken for granted. I was reading today how poorly Rihanna was selling the last time she went out on the road. rihanna, one of the hugest stars in pop! We're in an age where we have a handful of Huge Pop Stars and everyone else has smaller but more devoted followings (and usually more talent). But perhaps more freedom. A lot of the artists from that era- sorry Basia, I'm gonna make you sound of a certain age and I don't mean it - are playing the kind of venues she is playing on this tour and doing quite well without traditional support. The more they do it, it sells itself after a while it seems. I like this mix of "jazz"/R&B festivals, medium theaters/clubs, and performing arts venues. This is a very good mix. Particularly since this series is basically acoustic, it's going to appeal to many and I hope the response will recognize that. We have a lot to look forward to and it's so too early to be worried. Leslie ------------------------------ End of basia-digest V14 #40 ***************************