Also, it takes more interest (and money) from fat-cat sponsors to provide high-frequency power boosts (which have always been a shortcoming for independent stations) and a hell of a lot of petitions from the listening public. What it doesn't take is a bunch of yak yak from opinionated armchair quarterbacks like yourself. It ain't gonna fall from the sky, Christopher.
The general radio-listening public in Denver is too aloof, too conservative, too cheap and not daring enough to band together to create radio stations like this. I am so bored.
Steven Saulsbury
Denver
Mondo Condo
Thank you for Marty Jones's article on Ray Condo and the Ricochets, "From Canada With Love," in the December 4 issue. The recent surge of support for Ray and similar groups (roots, retro, pick your favorite buzz word) indicates a renewed interest in this country in music that doesn't suck, which is always a welcome trend. However, I take exception (why else would I write?) to some of the views set forth. Whether these are Mr. Condo's actual feelings or words taken out of context for journalistic purposes, I think a response is called for. Ray takes offense at being "dismissed" as a cover band, and justifiably so: Playing covers is no indication by itself of good or bad quality; you have to get it right regardless of where the material comes from. But then Ray proceeds to dismiss the vast majority of current songwriters as publishing-driven hacks who create for all the wrong reasons, "forced by the industry to write their own material."
Excuse me? What is the point being made here? That you shouldn't dare to put pen to paper unless you have reason to believe you can hold your own against Hank Sr., Irving Berlin, Cole Porter (insert your favorite icon), etc.? That reasoning could be applied to a lot of things besides songwriting, but then we wouldn't even have a culture. Speaking strictly from my own experience, there is nothing "quick" about publishing or royalties. If I had been writing music all these years for those reasons, I would be on heavy medication by now. I happen to believe in what I do, like most creative souls. Nobody is forcing me. I would venture to say that most writers (painters, composers, ditch-diggers) with any kind of real commitment to their craft feel the same way. That is, at least, my hope. You quote Ray as saying, "Most people think we're fools for what we do." Hon, somebody is going to think you're a fool no matter what you do, so you'd better be doing what you like. How's that for a hardcore American attitude?
Victoria Frerichs
via the Internet
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