I think I need to give a little clarification to my post yesterday.....
(1) My reference to 'core' members was not a slam. I was refering to a group of people that I perceive as members who are the dynamic - that generate the most discussion and debate in the areas I frequent here (off topics & other artists). I don't think I painted them in a bad light, just made the mention to explain my feelings of being an outsider because I'm not remotely in that group. Believe it or not, but imo alot of the core members are not Bonabuddies. This is one great music forum to honor the best living blues guitarist and I consider myself fortunate to have been a member. Yes Brack, I left this site in the past year for three months and came back. I may do it yet again, but my reasons for leaving this time have more to do with priorities than any frustration.
(2) The word nostalgia carries alot of meaning the older one gets. A large percentage of forum members are baby boomers and that means that they've been there, done that with the rise of modern music. The fact that it's discussed a great deal is great, but I guess I'm the odd egg in that I prefer what's being recorded recently. I went through the nineties and early oughts listening to one greatest hits album after another until I'd had enough. I actually thought music was dead. In 2006 I bought John Mayer's trio album that somehow led to Joe Bonamassa, to Aynsley Lister, David Gogo, Derek Trucks, etc. and it was off to the races. In the succeeding four years I've added nearly ten thousand songs to my music library and the majority of it is current releases. I respect the music of my youth, but rarely listen to it anymore. If you asked me when the greatest music was produced I'd quickly say between 1965 and 1975. If you asked me though what music I listen to I'd say music of the last four years.
(3) Why did I make public my leaving here? Well... I guess I have to do it that way to actually do what I'm saying. Call it melodramatic and you'd probably be right. That's me. In these past four years I've visited some dark places and have sought help to overcome serious depression. On both this forum and Aynsley's I have lost control of my temper as I was losing control of my life. I deeply regret this and hope the ones I offended forgive me. Thanks to medicine and therapy I'm today doing well. The one thing during my journey that literally saved me was my music and the passion I've always had for it.
In closing I'll say I'm leaving the door open here. There truly are some wonderful people here, Joe included, that I consider friends. Sorry for unloading, but I felt I had to explain my intentions better.
Scott
