Considering the events of the last few weeks, I think I have identified a reason for some of the problems. Music is meant to be shared among musicians on both a litteral and an unspoken level. And that means PLAYING MUSIC together!

I'm fully convinced that if even the most combative of us were sitting holding our instruments across from another member...even one(s) where there were disagreements in the past, the playing of music together would make many of the problems go away. We miss this kind of interaction on the internet. Chas and I were mentioning playing "in the pocket" yesterday. There's no greater feeling than when you know what the other players are thinking and play off each other without saying a word.

Sharing recordings just dosen't get it.

Sadly, this will rarely happen between members, but it would go a long way towards developing better lines of communication and respect for each other.

I'm certainly not knocking the "zone", but have been really trying to put my finger on the animosity that has developed here. Musicians are, by nature, sensitive and sometimes volatile, but a lot of that dissapears if you just play together.

I hate country and bluegrass music, but have friends who make a living in those fields. Every once in a while, I'll fill in or play on a session with them. I value that interaction.

I just wish we could have the chance to do the same among the members here.

If we did, all the pettiness of the past few weeks would be gone.


Russ