[ Closed ] New Fans Googling Joe will fall into a pit

Just so I'm not accused of yet one more thing that is not true, here's the email I just sent Kathy:

Kathy,

Please do not accuse me of something that is blatantly untrue. You have not been banned on the blog. I haven't banned anyone. And no one else on the site has that ability. I've also not altered any of your comments. I've changed ONE comment in the history of the site and that was to remove an email address posted by someone else.

I think it's a shame that you've chosen not to embrace the blog for the opportunities it presents. It's one more way for the world to discover Joe and it seems crazy that mere opinion has led to such major disagreement. There's really no need. And I truly don't understand the negativity. So you don't agree with Bill, big deal! You don't have to! No one does. And no one has to agree with me or Tara or Aussie Fred. Or anyone else who posts there.

I'm sad that you've chosen to slam me and the site without justification.

I wish things could have been different.

All the best to you,
Joanie

To any and all,

For some reason, the perception seems to be that the blog is supposedly in competition with the Forum for fans. It's not. They are not mutually exclusive entities. I've always encouraged anyone with an urge to write to contact me so they can contribute reviews and stories (personal "Joe and/or the blues changed my life" type stories) to the site. Anything that bolsters Joe or the blues is a welcome addition to the blog. In the year and a half of the site's existence, I've had lots of people comment or contact me after finding the site through Blogcritics or Googling and share their enthusiasm for Joe. That's what it's supposed to be.

I don't understand the whole "I don't agree with you so I'm going to be as nasty as possible in the comments" attitude. And I hoped it wouldn't be necessary to ask ADULTS to play nice, but that's what it's come to. Seems a shame that folks focus on one word or aspect of someone's writing and decide to launch an attack. It's entirely unnecessary and only serves to make one look bad. Not the site...the person who chooses to go down that road. Ah, well...I can't save anyone from themselves and I don't mean to try.

Just know that the blog is meant to be something positive and it will outlast this latest run of negativity -- again.

Aww, Rocket, you're just playing with my affections now, aren't you?

I hope Kathy changes her mind and comes back. Until she commented on the blog, we seemed to get along.

I like all perspectives, even if I don't agree. It's always interesting to see how other people view a new album or song or performance.

But, more than anything, I'd really like to see as many vital and active Bonamassa/Blues communities online as possible. It's all about the music and the perservation and promotion of a rich musical heritage that's far too often pigeon-holed. Joe's busts those myths and he deserves a lot of credit for doing so.

2TSB,
Yeah, if you skip over the posts.