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Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Why is it?
Why is it that Joe is so popular in Europe - like selling out a venue recently that holds 2000 people - but the venue Joe was at near his hometown which only holds 800, wasn't even close to selling out? Do Europeans have better taste in Blues music?
Do Europeans have better taste in Blues music?
Haha, of course we have! 
No, honestly, I don´t know why it is like it is ...
Eva
Joe explained his take on the why of it in the Paul Jones interview. To paraphrase he thinks it is because he has borrowed from the British his style of blues and the English are more receptive to it. As an American who was introduced to the blues by way of Led Zep, Fleetwood Mac, Clapton and so on. I feel that is why I have a connection to Joe's music.
The genre generally does better in EU too.
I've heard other artists talk about it the same way.
Something about local prophets having no honor...not to mention, one goes where one is wanted and appreciated, doesn't one?
Joe is the consummate pro. knows what to say.
I'm grabbing myself by the throat and dragging myself, kicking and screaming, away from the keyboard, to keep from saying what I really think about music and politics and business.
leaveitalone
sayaprayer
jeff
i believe that plays a part as well for the music industry as a whole. Not just Joe but all the genre's and sub genre's. You have to find your niche. Joe just happens to have an easier time finding that niche in Europe.
We discussed this subject I think 1 year ago too. A lot of forummembers gave their opinion. I'll try to find where it is at the site tonight.
I have to go away for a few hours now, family matters.
Andre Wittebroek.
Why is it that Joe is so popular in Europe - like selling out a venue recently that holds 2000 people - but the venue Joe was at near his hometown which only holds 800, wasn't even close to selling out? Do Europeans have better taste in Blues music?
Speaking as a "local" ~ I have been speading the word for about 19 years now & have added many fans. BUT our local media have been TERRIBLE about promoting Joe here. I don't know why, and I have talked to the local newspaper's music critic about this but I just got some BS about it. We used to have an amazing music critic here, Brian Bourke, who helped spread the word, but he died years ago. We are now left with somebody who doesn't give Joe any press until the day before the show & then just has a small blurb. My guess is that some of the local critics have some kinda beef with Joe (if so, GET OVER IT!). I haven't even seen a write-up yet on "Sloe Gin" in the local paper. We do have another small run paper called "The Syracuse New Times" that does a decent job promoting Joe, but they could do MUCH better imho. One of our radio stations, WOUR, does a Gr8 job promoting Joe but I've heard next to nothing (nothing at all from some) from any other station. Same seems to go with our local TV reporters. Waaaay back in the early days (1990) there was a show called "Broadcast New York" that did a cool segment on Smokin' Joe. But other that that, I've seen nothing. As rabid of a Joe fan that I am, I might not even have heard of him today if my wife hadn't won 2 tickets to a Blues, Brews, & BBQ fest back in 1987 where Danny Gatton was one of the performers (Clarenece "Gatesmouth" Brown was another). During Danny's set, Joe was brought on stage to play one song with the band (Danny gave Joe his guitar and stood back). Needless to say ~ I was hooked! If fate hadn't put me there that day it is very possible that I wouldn't even know about Joe today. I am extremely greatful to Joe that he continues to book at least one show somewhere in CNY every tour. I'm guessing he does this for his family, but speaking as one of his longtime local fans ~ thanks for not giving up on CNY even though I wouldn't blame you if you did. It is unbelievable that you are not famous here. No surprise to me that you had to move away from here to further your carreer.
See you in Rochester in June!
L8r... John
Nicely stated John...Someone close to Joe once said U2 could come to Utica and NOT sell out...I laughed but agree it is true...Jeff is correct about a prophet not being without honor save (except) in his country (hometown) also...Good company to be in with the man that quote came from I'd say...I offer there is nothing to be alarmed nor dismayed about. Back to the taste of the Europeans, regarding Blues, or for that matter Jazz or Classical or whatever music, I'd say they do not have better taste nor appreciation, although I'd venture that like Jane offers, we in the US of A are inundated with choices so perhaps "taking for granted" is the term that applies to our ungrateful masses. Joe can sell out places here and is doing so...Madsison Square Garden, no way (unless as a rider on the Dave Matthews tour that was suggested), but a 2000 seat theater, not a long shot anymore, NOT selling out may be more of a long shot now...His popularity is expanding GREATLY domestically, just watch what happens upon his return!!! Do not count this still young man out by any stretch of the imagination. I digress to a fable about a tortoise & a hare...
Rock On & Please, Pretty Please, Keep the Faith,
Rocket
max wrote:Why is it that Joe is so popular in Europe - like selling out a venue recently that holds 2000 people - but the venue Joe was at near his hometown which only holds 800, wasn't even close to selling out? Do Europeans have better taste in Blues music?
Speaking as a "local" ~ I have been speading the word for about 19 years now & have added many fans. BUT our local media have been TERRIBLE about promoting Joe here. I don't know why, and I have talked to the local newspaper's music critic about this but I just got some BS about it. We used to have an amazing music critic here, Brian Bourke, who helped spread the word, but he died years ago. We are now left with somebody who doesn't give Joe any press until the day before the show & then just has a small blurb. My guess is that some of the local critics have some kinda beef with Joe (if so, GET OVER IT!). I haven't even seen a write-up yet on "Sloe Gin" in the local paper. We do have another small run paper called "The Syracuse New Times" that does a decent job promoting Joe, but they could do MUCH better imho. One of our radio stations, WOUR, does a Gr8 job promoting Joe but I've heard next to nothing (nothing at all from some) from any other station. Same seems to go with our local TV reporters. Waaaay back in the early days (1990) there was a show called "Broadcast New York" that did a cool segment on Smokin' Joe. But other that that, I've seen nothing. As rabid of a Joe fan that I am, I might not even have heard of him today if my wife hadn't won 2 tickets to a Blues, Brews, & BBQ fest back in 1987 where Danny Gatton was one of the performers (Clarenece "Gatesmouth" Brown was another). During Danny's set, Joe was brought on stage to play one song with the band (Danny gave Joe his guitar and stood back). Needless to say ~ I was hooked! If fate hadn't put me there that day it is very possible that I wouldn't even know about Joe today. I am extremely greatful to Joe that he continues to book at least one show somewhere in CNY every tour. I'm guessing he does this for his family, but speaking as one of his longtime local fans ~ thanks for not giving up on CNY even though I wouldn't blame you if you did. It is unbelievable that you are not famous here. No surprise to me that you had to move away from here to further your carreer.
See you in Rochester in June!
L8r... John
"Thanks Rocket! I'll wear this topic loosely.
MuchLove
Jeff
BTW Max,
I like your signature...oooee
The fact that all of us on here appreciate Joe's music show's that we have very similar taste. It could be more to do with the size of the UK. As Michael is proving, it's quite feasable to travel to all of the UK gigs....thereby the gigs are all sold out. (but he didn't get to Cambridge ) Mind you, Crosby asked how many people at the Cambridge gig had seen Joe more than twice and the vast majority stayed quiet. Everyone I spoke to hadn't seen Joe before and it was obvious that the people standing near me hadn't seen Joe before either, so I'd say that his popularity is growing very fast over here.
It always tends to take longer in America I've noticed. A certain guitarist from Seattle had a hard time making it here in the USA, and went over to England and revolutionized the world of rock.
Nicely stated John...Someone close to Joe once said U2 could come to Utica and NOT sell out...I laughed but agree it is true...
Funny & true about U2. I saw them 4/27/83 at Cayuga Community College in a place the size of a gymnasium. If there were 300 people there I'd be surprised. I'd guess 150 - 200 people tops. I was able to stand about 25 feet from the stage (and there was nobody within 5 feet in front of me). Yeah, this was their 1st U.S. tour (in support of "War" ~ "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" & "New Years Day" were on that album), but STILL...
So yeah, U2 could come (& did) to CNY and not sell out.
An AMAZING show BTW!
L8r... John
It always tends to take longer in America I've noticed. A certain guitarist from Seattle had a hard time making it here in the USA, and went over to England and revolutionized the world of rock.
Exactly the point I was going to make as I read this page!
On the other hand, it may just be that we have more taste over here. 
The only thing Auburn, NY can ever sell out is the prison cells...
Rocket wrote:Nicely stated John...Someone close to Joe once said U2 could come to Utica and NOT sell out...I laughed but agree it is true...
Funny & true about U2. I saw them 4/27/83 at Cayuga Community College in a place the size of a gymnasium. If there were 300 people there I'd be surprised. I'd guess 150 - 200 people tops. I was able to stand about 25 feet from the stage (and there was nobody within 5 feet in front of me). Yeah, this was their 1st U.S. tour (in support of "War" ~ "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" & "New Years Day" were on that album), but STILL...
So yeah, U2 could come (& did) to CNY and not sell out.
An AMAZING show BTW!
L8r... John
"I honestly think it's just Europeans think of our popular culture & arts as "exotic" in much the same way we think of theirs... They Buy, buy, exported Miss American Pies-and eat 'em up!!!
Rock On & Keep the Faith,
Rocket
Deezer wrote:It always tends to take longer in America I've noticed. A certain guitarist from Seattle had a hard time making it here in the USA, and went over to England and revolutionized the world of rock.
Exactly the point I was going to make as I read this page!
On the other hand, it may just be that we have more taste over here.
"
I feel (and I may be wrong) Joe just "Gets" us Brits... and our Blue BRITS Blues Deluxe... OUR gain and if it means he continues to tour here (NOT just London Town - Please continue to get UP country PLEASE) long may it continue ... I say
U2 ???? used to make POP ... now they just blow it out of St Bono's ARSE
IF the US of A don't want the man we ( And I speak for us all I think) would LOVE to call the boy our own...
The older I get ... the more I get the blues... and the more SATISFIED I am...so many roads
Joe Bonamassa Forum → General Topics → Why is it?
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