大咖福利影院

ZenSPIKE wrote:

Mug,
4 days and counting!

I'll bet you're getting excited. At that stage in any new venture, I just want to get on with it.

In case I don't get another chance to say it -- good luck!

In order to keep this (sorta) on-topic -- Mug, did you ever hear Linda Ronstadt's version of 'Rivers of Babylon'? A favorite of mine.

mugtech wrote:

Just found out about a new (to me) band from the Andes using Pre-Columbian pan-pipes and wooden flutes plus string and percussion instruments introduced to Latin America by Spanish and African cultures.聽 ....

Hi there,聽
Music bands from the Andes (Peru, Ecuador) play all over North America and Europe and they indeed, provide a welcome diversity.
I wonder how many bands from abroad play in Andean countries.聽

John C. wrote:

I wonder how many bands from abroad play in Andean countries.聽

John, Elton is the first I have seen booked in Ecuador the last 18 months.聽 Seems Chile and Argentina get a few more popular concerts, but it remains to be seen home many can afford and will pay to see such entertainment.

mugtech wrote:

John C. wrote:

I wonder how many bands from abroad play in Andean countries.聽

John, Elton is the first I have seen booked in Ecuador the last 18 months.聽 Seems Chile and Argentina get a few more popular concerts, but it remains to be seen home many can afford and will pay to see such entertainment.

Hi Mug,聽
Good to know. Every good action must be reciprocated: if Andean musicians go abroad, overseas musicians must also come in.
Remember to tell the music stars when negotiating a contract with them to keep in mind that the buying power of different nations is different and they, the stars, must come up with a price people can afford.
Also, suggest to the stars to offer their CDs at a discounted price at concert time, discount which now be easily done at their web site prior to the concert.聽 You know why, don't you?聽

John C. wrote:

Also, suggest to the stars to offer their CDs at a discounted price at concert time, discount which now be easily done at their web site prior to the concert.聽 You know why, don't you?聽

Cause plastic is cheap, and if one more person buys a nose bleed ticket for $95 plus $18 service charge at Caesar's in Vegas, then it was worth the reduced price.聽 Don't think any musicians think they owe anybody anything, and they certainly are not tuned in to my marketing advice.

mugtech wrote:

John C. wrote:

Also, suggest to the stars to offer their CDs at a discounted price at concert time, discount which now be easily done at their web site prior to the concert.聽 You know why, don't you?聽

Cause plastic is cheap, and if one more person buys a nose bleed ticket for $95 plus $18 service charge at Caesar's in Vegas, then it was worth the reduced price.聽 Don't think any musicians think they owe anybody anything, and they certainly are not tuned in to my marketing advice.

Hi Mug,聽
1). You are right about the CD price reduction. It's what I meant.

2). Musicians not owing anything to anybody? Hmmm, that's bad. What can we do about it?
Maybe pay them the deposit to come and sing, but then pay them nothing more when the deal is over???聽

John C. wrote:

Musicians not owing anything to anybody? Hmmm, that's bad. What can we do about it?

Why is that bad?聽 I believe in the free enterprise system.聽 Would rather hear music as a joyous expression of the self rather than the fulfillment of a liability.聽 Let them play where they can make money if that is what they desire, which is why the concerts be few and far between in Ecuador.

mugtech wrote:

John C. wrote:

Musicians not owing anything to anybody? Hmmm, that's bad. What can we do about it?

Why is that bad?聽 I believe in the free enterprise system.聽 Would rather hear music as a joyous expression of the self rather than the fulfillment of a liability.聽 Let them play where they can make money if that is what they desire, which is why the concerts be few and far between in Ecuador.

Hi Mug,聽 聽
I consider a very bad thing for someone to fleece the public when he can.
Why put profits first? Will the world end tomorrow? Are they unsure of their business longevity?
YES, I do believe in free enterprise and I promote it as much, often and fast as I can, but there is no need to rip people off.聽 They are the constant source of income for as long as the star shines.
When the light goes out, well, the free enterprise system kicks in again.
My philosophy is never to overcharge people whom I want to come back to me tomorrow.聽

Thank you for the dialogue!

mugtech wrote:

There is no fleecing involved, you know the product, you know the price.聽 Its up to you to decide if you want to spend the asking price for the product involved.聽 One can live without attending a concert, no matter what day the world ends.聽 As a result, Ecuador will continue to not get world class music.

You have a point, but the public always has the last say. Thank you for challenging me.
(I used to be a 16-year pro musician, guitarist, singer, band owner, composer AND teacher ... and I had the time of my life ....)聽

BobH wrote:

There is Andean music being performed in the street right outside my window at this moment (I am currently listening to a version of 'El Condor Pasa').

How nice .... Music is one thing which keeps us together in spirit ...聽

DorothyPeck wrote:

Thank you, mugtech! I downloaded the music by the group you mentioned and uncovered a few more on their associated store website. Very much appreciate your calling this to my attention.

My pleasure, spread the word.
There were no South American bands this year at Musikfest in August
Hopefully I will have more info in 2015

BobH wrote:

I was shocked when in the Philippines that a Manila production of Phantom of the Opera was charging near-Broadway prices.

Did you speak to anyone who saw it?聽 Wondering if Manila had all the equipment to do it as I saw it in San Francisco and as it was done in NYC.