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OK
future country stars! If I had 10 seconds to give you advice, and only 10 seconds here’s what I’d say to you;
‘Respect your fans, and don’t treat them like somebody you don’t want to be associated with. They PAID to
see you, and buy your CD’s!’…..was that 10 seconds? I’m proud to say
that here in Ontario the local bands are mucho appreciative and it’s that lesson they could teach to an act that for
professional reason I will not name. After failing to score tickets to their show, a fan thought
it would it would pay off to arrive at the venue early to not only meet but score a picture with them.
Well
not only did he see them, but he and his buddy were the ONLY ones in the parking lot as they stood outside their tour bus.
This
fan had a few manners so instead of rushing them; he called out from a safe distance ‘Could we get a picture?’
OK,
before I type their response, let’s recap. Empty parking lot, polite fan, standing outside the tour bus, really not
much standing in the way for an opportunity to make a fan’s day. I remember Jason McCoy
and the Road Hammers standing in a mall parking lot and signing autographs for EVERYONE before a show in a bar where many
of these fans couldn’t enter because they were under 19! Did they want to do it? Maybe not, but they did with a
smile on their faces and fans that will remain loyal to them because they took 30 seconds out of their lives to thank them.
A
lesson this unnamed star didn’t learn because as the fan asked for a picture the response he got was….nothing!
Instead what was heard was, ‘Get rid of those guys!’ ‘GET RID OF THOSE GUYS?’
No
meeting, no autograph, no picture equals fan no more! The fan snapped the star’s CD in half when he got
home, and he vowed to share this story with others including myself. Sadly, it’s not the
first time I heard a tale like this involving that ‘star’. I’m not saying your
favourite country act has to take you out for beers, and I fully understand that time is precious when you have to catch a
plane for tomorrow night’s gig but a simple ‘Hi, thanks for caring!’ is more than enough.
Artists,
you are NOTHING without the fans. Most of you get it; sadly some will lose it, but those that sell tickets and sell CD’s
by the box live by it. I will pay to see those people before I ever set foot at that ‘star’s’
show again!
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She’s back, well
actually she never left, but new music from CCMA Hall of Famer Michelle Wright is now in our music lovin’ paws!
The
new single is called ‘Another Good Day’ and check out the talent collaborating on this one; Patricia Conroy and Emerson Drive’s Danick Dupelle
as co-writers, and produced by the one and only Jason Barry! (I get a free coffee every time I compliment him on here, not
really!) New song means new album and that’s exactly what Michelle has planned!
Keep
checking out http://www.michelle-wright.com/ for updates! ********************************************************************************
At
this time I want to step aside and give Donna Henry of Country 93 in Owen Sound a moment; Today (March 29 2012)
I lost a Mentor....an ex Co-Worker....a friend. He helped place the stepping stones to get me where I am today. He taught
me how to laugh at myself and how to get a crowd going.
Humiliation could be your friend....to just keep going
on, with a smile.... He was 45, a singer/songwriter/producer/dive instructor/photographer and Announcer.
He had throat cancer....the worst fear of a Radio Announcer or performer. He was scared & he struggled with it...but,
he fought. And, he fought hard! I was introduced to many Country Artists because of him,
and am living my life as an Emerging Artist Coordinator because of him. I could not have come this far without him. He was
opinionated, and cranky and a pain in the ASS....(You know you were)...but, I always knew he cared....a LOT!
He
cared for the musicians & songwriters & the industry. He was passionate in all he did! He was my friend through it
all, and I miss him already! They say you only truly die when forgotten...I won't let that happen! RIP Steve Barlow! Rest
in Peace! Enjoy life....there are no re-runs!!! Donna Henry
Co-Host
Mornings & Middays~Country 93
Host of WHATS NEW~Country 93
Emerging Artist Coordinator
Sundays on Mix
106.5 & Sundays on The Beach
560 CFOS Music Director  | 
