A few days ago I described how I had set up a website for the band and I had done a bit more work on it. I was pleased with its simple design but Paul, our lead singer, had other ideas. First he wanted to add photos that were really dark and poor quality.. I argued against using them and said we needed some new photos just for the website. Then he sent some notes about members of the band which I really objected to. I think my reaction was triggered by a difference in my value system. In presenting myself publicly I do not want to ridicule myself. I feel we have some talent in the band and it is demeaning to represent ourselves in the way Paul was suggesting. Paul tried to persuade me but there is no way I will budge on this and if he insists then we will go our separate ways. We are meeting on Monday so we will see what happens.
Postscript - a gracious email from Paul on Sunday said he had reached the conclusion that I was right..
EMAILS FROM PAUL OUR LEAD SINGER
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 15:44
Subject: INTRODUCING THE BAND - PAUL
For our web site, where we are seen not to be taking ourselves too seriously.
Paul Westwood – Lead (and only) Singer
Dances like an epileptic putting out a small fire, so was advised by his dance instructor to take up singing, which he has grasped like a duck to an oil slick. The voice of the band, which Paul has honed to a distinctive style by chewing on pieces of gravel and drinking 100% proof Vodka before gigs. Truly a legend in his own mind, Paulbi, (as he is affectionately named by his better half) is often supported on stage by his gorgeous wife, who constantly rushes up on stage to bring him his asthma inhaler. His claim to fame, at the FreeWorld audition, was that he told the rest of the band that he “once sang a duet with Rod Stewart”, but after further investigation it was discovered that Rod was on the radio and “Paulbi” was in the bath.
Paul
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 15:44
Subject: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Graham Morgan – Lead & Rhythm Guitarist.
Often to be seen aimlessly “grinning” with a confused and lost look on stage at our gigs. Nevertheless, an experienced musician, who knows all the notes and chords to 100’s of songs, but doesn’t always play them in a recognisable order, which creates mayhem for the rest of the band. Also often the source of a constant frustration for our other lead, Martin Wise, as Graham constantly introduces notes and chords, to our songs, which are not on the music scale…………………which is probably due to his guitar constantly going out of tune!
Whilst performing, Graham is prone to lose interest very easily, whereby he starts to play Throw Down The Sword by Wishbone Ash (Who?)
Paul
MY RESPONSE From: norman jackson [mailto:normanjjackson@btinternet.com]
Sent: 02 March 2012 16:18
Subject: Re: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Hi Paul
I know you have put effort into this but I would caution against the approach.. Its smacks of 'crap dads' speak which I hate and I do want us to be taken seriously.
Sorry but I feel strongly about this.
Norman
PAUL'S RESPONSE
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 16:36
Subject: RE: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Have you read mine yet………………….and I’m working on yours now!
Norman, It’s the music and how we perform which will get us taken seriously, as a band. Unlike CrapDads we perform serious musical arrangements, rather than stripping out songs to their basics.
To balance what we write about ourselves I’ve put out a few emails to a number of people who have attended our gigs, with the expectation to receive glowing and serious references, whereas CrapDads put out joke references. Others in the band should also seek positive acclaim from our audience critics. A light hearted approach will bring a smile to any bookers face and they know that by under promising that there will be an expectation for over delivery. By creating something “self-mocking” like this, might encourage those who view our web site to send the link over to their friends. It’s simply Reverse Marketing phycology, so we shouldn’t dismiss this strategy out of hand.
J J J
Paul
MY RESPONSE
From: norman jackson <normanjjackson@btinternet.com>
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 16:49
Subject: Re: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
I disagree Paul and you will not persuade me otherwise. I am put off by this way of marketing. Less is definitely more and a few images combined with music is all that is required. I do not want to become a crap dads band which is what this will turn us into.
Norman
From: "Westwood, Paul (PWESTWOOD)" <PWESTWOOD@arinc.com>
To: "normanjjackson@btinternet.com" <normanjjackson@btinternet.com>
Sent: Sunday, 4 March 2012, 15:23
Subject: RE FREEWORLD WEB SITE
Norman, I have given further thought to my ideas of a less than serious, light hearted and self depreciating approach to introducing the band members and after much thought concede that your approach is best. Can you please give some thought to creating a few lines on each band member, as an alter ego to my versions. As a strap line on the web site, I’d like to somehow use …………. Live, Raw and Un-Cut……………just the Music! I also think that you and I should collaborate on producing and agreeing the web site, before we release to the other guys, as a proposed finished project? (Too many cooks and all that?) After all Martin and Tim just aren’t interested because of the money and are quite negative about the whole thing.
Postscript - a gracious email from Paul on Sunday said he had reached the conclusion that I was right..
EMAILS FROM PAUL OUR LEAD SINGER
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 15:44
Subject: INTRODUCING THE BAND - PAUL
For our web site, where we are seen not to be taking ourselves too seriously.
Paul Westwood – Lead (and only) Singer
Dances like an epileptic putting out a small fire, so was advised by his dance instructor to take up singing, which he has grasped like a duck to an oil slick. The voice of the band, which Paul has honed to a distinctive style by chewing on pieces of gravel and drinking 100% proof Vodka before gigs. Truly a legend in his own mind, Paulbi, (as he is affectionately named by his better half) is often supported on stage by his gorgeous wife, who constantly rushes up on stage to bring him his asthma inhaler. His claim to fame, at the FreeWorld audition, was that he told the rest of the band that he “once sang a duet with Rod Stewart”, but after further investigation it was discovered that Rod was on the radio and “Paulbi” was in the bath.
Paul
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 15:44
Subject: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Graham Morgan – Lead & Rhythm Guitarist.
Often to be seen aimlessly “grinning” with a confused and lost look on stage at our gigs. Nevertheless, an experienced musician, who knows all the notes and chords to 100’s of songs, but doesn’t always play them in a recognisable order, which creates mayhem for the rest of the band. Also often the source of a constant frustration for our other lead, Martin Wise, as Graham constantly introduces notes and chords, to our songs, which are not on the music scale…………………which is probably due to his guitar constantly going out of tune!
Whilst performing, Graham is prone to lose interest very easily, whereby he starts to play Throw Down The Sword by Wishbone Ash (Who?)
Paul
MY RESPONSE From: norman jackson [mailto:normanjjackson@btinternet.com]
Sent: 02 March 2012 16:18
Subject: Re: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Hi Paul
I know you have put effort into this but I would caution against the approach.. Its smacks of 'crap dads' speak which I hate and I do want us to be taken seriously.
Sorry but I feel strongly about this.
Norman
PAUL'S RESPONSE
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 16:36
Subject: RE: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
Have you read mine yet………………….and I’m working on yours now!
Norman, It’s the music and how we perform which will get us taken seriously, as a band. Unlike CrapDads we perform serious musical arrangements, rather than stripping out songs to their basics.
To balance what we write about ourselves I’ve put out a few emails to a number of people who have attended our gigs, with the expectation to receive glowing and serious references, whereas CrapDads put out joke references. Others in the band should also seek positive acclaim from our audience critics. A light hearted approach will bring a smile to any bookers face and they know that by under promising that there will be an expectation for over delivery. By creating something “self-mocking” like this, might encourage those who view our web site to send the link over to their friends. It’s simply Reverse Marketing phycology, so we shouldn’t dismiss this strategy out of hand.
J J J
Paul
MY RESPONSE
From: norman jackson <normanjjackson@btinternet.com>
Sent: Friday, 2 March 2012, 16:49
Subject: Re: INTRODUCING THE BAND - GRAHAM MORGAN
I disagree Paul and you will not persuade me otherwise. I am put off by this way of marketing. Less is definitely more and a few images combined with music is all that is required. I do not want to become a crap dads band which is what this will turn us into.
Norman
From: "Westwood, Paul (PWESTWOOD)" <PWESTWOOD@arinc.com>
To: "normanjjackson@btinternet.com" <normanjjackson@btinternet.com>
Sent: Sunday, 4 March 2012, 15:23
Subject: RE FREEWORLD WEB SITE
Norman, I have given further thought to my ideas of a less than serious, light hearted and self depreciating approach to introducing the band members and after much thought concede that your approach is best. Can you please give some thought to creating a few lines on each band member, as an alter ego to my versions. As a strap line on the web site, I’d like to somehow use …………. Live, Raw and Un-Cut……………just the Music! I also think that you and I should collaborate on producing and agreeing the web site, before we release to the other guys, as a proposed finished project? (Too many cooks and all that?) After all Martin and Tim just aren’t interested because of the money and are quite negative about the whole thing.
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