Topic: I know I'm In The Minority

Don't get me wrong, I love him and his playing immensely, but the hawking of cheesy merchandise is a bit undignified and lame.
I'll probably be banned but I just wanted to know if I was the only one who feels this way? Love you JB.....................let the banning begin.

Keep Calm
     and
Carry On

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

JoeMaMa wrote:

the hawking of cheesy merchandise is a bit undignified and lame.

Some of us undignified and lame folks like cheesy merchandise. smile

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

I'm not into the merchandise thing either but I think your choice of terminology eg 'whore' is what will really offend. If you don't like it. don't buy it. All artists do it as a way for paying bills tax tour costs etc. Just pick your words and comments wisely.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Well, talk about undignified! Is that all you can think of to talk about? If you dont like the merchandise, dont buy it. But to come here with your rude "merch whore" comment is disgusting.

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
JBLP Std Goldtop
2015 R9 LP

5 (edited by jackfossett 2014-12-14 10:03:59)

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Let's do a quick analysis here.

Your initial point, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, is "Do some of you find Mr. Bonamassa's exploits into signature merchandising a bit excessive and subsequently creating an unintended image as gauche?" Of course thats what you meant. Some people may side with you, others not, just depends on your point of view. It is a great way for artists to get additional income with a high markup, i.e. more funds for tours, albums, etc.

"Merch whore" perplexes me. When read literally, it means offering up your body intimately (trying to be appropriate here) in exchange for merchandise. A better example of that would be what's commonly referred to as a "Gold Digger" - i.e. a lower or middle class person, usually referring to a female but not always, who marries someone excessively wealthy for their inheritance and material possessions they can provide in exchange for physical favors and an off perception of "love", and they usually target someone older so that they don't have to wait long to gain said inheritance and marry off to their trashy partner on the side, who is in fact their true "love". Alternately means a prostitute who barters.

But thats neither here nor there, as I don't believe it was written to be read literally. But I'm having fun with literal analysis, so moving on!

When applied to JoeB and his band literally, does this mean you've seen Joe pimping out Tal on the street before a gig in exchange for EL84s? Of course not, its bad for the band image. So is it one of those higher class escort services in exchange for guitar strings? Could save alot of money, string purchases add up. But then, he probably has a deal with Ernie Ball. Either way, those tour buses are very high class and provide a discrete location.

More information would be helpful, I can't come to a reasonable conclusion.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

I think you choice of words was in poor taste, but I do know some folks agree.  IMHO the vast majority of those folks are looking for a reason - any reason - to dump on Joe because for whatever reason they don't like him.  That's their problem, not Joe's and not ours as fans.

For me, I don't have any problem with it.  I don't buy tickets to marketing emails, or listen to them on my commute, or put them on the stereo when I want to rock out.  I also like that Joe sends out free mp3s all the time, and shares a lot of great youtube videos in those emails so for me, there's value added.  If you don't like the spam, simply unsubscribe, use an email filter or click "delete."  Pretty easy.

If there are people out there that want to buy Bonamassa fip flops or beach towels, more power to 'em.  If someone wanted ZeyerGTR cup holders I'd certainly sell to them.  I don't have any problem with it.  It doesn't impact his music or live shows one iota and lets him keep making great music for us in an age where the traditional music business has disintegrated.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Aw come on people this guy obviously is just trying to start a ruckus. He hasn't been on in 2 years and now this. He knew by his choice of words that people would get worked up. Why give him the satisfaction.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

BECAUSE ITS NEVER A BAD TIME FOR GOOD VOCABULARY

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Obliviously you don't know how we work around here. Takes a lot to get banned unless you spam. Being a jerk isn't necessarily one. We give you an opportunity to voice your opinion but this is Joe's forum and he doesn't provide it as a vehicle to attack him or his organization. You sir are attacking a guy we consider here a friend. I took the most offensive statement out of your subject line and allowed your opinion to be expressed however it will be put in the basement where posts like this belong. You insist on attacking Joe and his company and your wish will be my command.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

nmagcorn wrote:

Aw come on people this guy obviously is just trying to start a ruckus. He hasn't been on in 2 years and now this. He knew by his choice of words that people would get worked up. Why give him the satisfaction.

I agree, he had a greater agenda. Frankly, I don't get the personal attacks on Joe. He seems like a very nice guy, at least from his podcast where he gives a pretty good view into his thoughts on music, his background, etc. As my son develops his interest and skill in guitar, I especially like hearing Joe's stories about his dad's influence.

Even if you don't like the product, be it music or the merchandise add-ons that many think are a fun way to be "in the club," I don't get the personal attacks. Perhaps it's envy of success. It could even be a purist's view of the arts. Except for the intentionally offensive and leading phrasing, it is a fair question. But the music industry has changed. Sales of recordings aren't the moneymaker, though I wonder if Joe has enough geezer fans like me that still buy CDs to make their revenue significant. If so, he's ahead of many more mainstream pop acts. Millennials don't buy CDs.

I also didn't buy the beach towel as it wasn't mandatory, but I do have a bunch of shirts, a Bona-who? license plate frame on my car, and my Bonamassa embossed gold pics have way better tone than my black Jazz IIIs. :-)

So the simple answer is that the merchandise exists for his fans. If that's not you, fear not, you don't have to buy them.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

timb wrote:
nmagcorn wrote:

Aw come on people this guy obviously is just trying to start a ruckus. He hasn't been on in 2 years and now this. He knew by his choice of words that people would get worked up. Why give him the satisfaction.

I agree, he had a greater agenda. Frankly, I don't get the personal attacks on Joe. He seems like a very nice guy, at least from his podcast where he gives a pretty good view into his thoughts on music, his background, etc. As my son develops his interest and skill in guitar, I especially like hearing Joe's stories about his dad's influence.

Even if you don't like the product, be it music or the merchandise add-ons that many think are a fun way to be "in the club," I don't get the personal attacks. Perhaps it's envy of success. It could even be a purist's view of the arts. Except for the intentionally offensive and leading phrasing, it is a fair question. But the music industry has changed. Sales of recordings aren't the moneymaker, though I wonder if Joe has enough geezer fans like me that still buy CDs to make their revenue significant. If so, he's ahead of many more mainstream pop acts. Millennials don't buy CDs.

I also didn't buy the beach towel as it wasn't mandatory, but I do have a bunch of shirts, a Bona-who? license plate frame on my car, and my Bonamassa embossed gold pics have way better tone than my black Jazz IIIs. :-)

So the simple answer is that the merchandise exists for his fans. If that's not you, fear not, you don't have to buy them.

Well said.

My Favorite Bonamassa Songs
Happier Times... Sloe Gin...Last Kiss...Lonesome Road Blues...Blues Deluxe...No Slack
Equipment For Listening To Joe
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Re: I know I'm In The Minority

It's called making a living...

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Just bought two JB Radio City Tee Shirts! Hey Jus Sayin....January 24th can't get here fast enough.
No won't wear it at the show, don't want to be "That Guy." After a certain age wearing a football jersey to the game or Concert tee to the concert....I dunno, my opinion I guess. I actually think it's cool to see people at another show with a Joe B shirt. Just saw Neal Vitullo and there were two Vintage Bonamassa guys there.

"Is it the new blues mobile or what?"                                                                                                                                                                                                     "Fix the cigarette lighter."

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

thestepchild wrote:

Just bought two JB Radio City Tee Shirts! Hey Jus Sayin....January 24th can't get here fast enough.
No won't wear it at the show, don't want to be "That Guy." After a certain age wearing a football jersey to the game or Concert tee to the concert....I dunno, my opinion I guess. I actually think it's cool to see people at another show with a Joe B shirt. Just saw Neal Vitullo and there were two Vintage Bonamassa guys there.

That's a different slant on things. Some think it's insulting to the performer you're seeing to wear another artists t-shirt. I don't know whether some performers take it that way or not, I'll have to ask one or two sometime. Maybe it's being over-sensitive on behalf of the performer you've paid to see, I don't know, but personally, I do tend to wear a plain shirt when seeing another artist. My Joe and other artist t-shirts get a good airing on other days. smile

Sorry to take this off topic but as it's now an "old topic", it's not quite so important.

Phil

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Never really thought about it Phil but it would explain why a young guy was aggressive towards me at a Rolling Stones concert when I had on a Tom Petty t shirt.

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

well I met you Phil (and David) whilst wearing my JB teeshirt at a Warren Haynes show! smile My son was wearing a Led Zep one that night if I remember correctly and when talking to Warren after the show he was pleased to see a youngster with a “real” band teeshirt on!

Personally I cannot abide the tribal mentality of feeling obliged to be wearing the tee shirt for the band that you are seeing, - freedom of choice eh? Not like we are living in N0rth K0rea is it?

My YouTube channel with plenty of my Joe's videos dating from 2009 inc his first Hammersmith Odeon ones:
http://www.youtube.com/ian916fun

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Yes, I thought about that night after typing the post above, Ian. If you hadn't been wearing a JB shirt I wouldn't have approached you with the comment "good to see a Joe fan here", or similar and asked if you were a Forum member. I think it was a Forum member who made the comment to me about not wearing another artists t-shirt.

I agree that it's all a matter of choice and we can all make our own. We're all rockin' in the free world.

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

“The guy who has helped the blues industry the most is Joe Bonamassa and I would say he is more rock than some rock stuff, so to me blues is whatever you want it to be!”
Simon McBride in my interview with him in Blues Matters! Issue #56

Re: I know I'm In The Minority

Few years back went to see Bad Company and was wearing an Oli Brown t-shirt: guy came over to me and asked where I got the "cool Kossoff" tee". Kudos to Oli.

Best t-shirt incidents  - making Aynsley Lister laugh when I found one that matched my avatar on his forum.
                                - being in Newcastle City Hall and looking round to see I was wearing the oldest one in the house.

General rule - if I like it, I'll buy it. And if I'm wearing the bands t-shirt when occasionally doing the merch stand or the door, then it just looks better.


PS - ZeyerGTR - tell me more about these cup-holders... cool

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...