What Kills Amarillo's Music?

  Well, I managed to survive another barrage of hatemail regarding last month´s column. Of all the letters written, only one was intelligible enough to read. Thank you Jerry Davidson for showing me there err of my ways. I would like to apologize for offending anyone that is overweight last month. My attack of the bad guy´s weight strayed away from my point completely. I shouldn´t have stooped to his level. Thanks again Jerry.
I also might add, that for every piece of hatemail I received, I got 3 letters cheering me on…….. We must be on to something here.

  Now let´s talk about Amarillo´s music scene.
So many people claim that we don´t really have a music scene. That´s crap. We have a fantastic music scene. Amarillo is populated with trained seals; throw them a fish and watch them clap their fins. There, I´ve said it.
I have noticed lately that there is an ongoing philosophy when it comes to things in Amarillo.
"If we (the crowd) don´t know it, we don´t want it."
That´s why when you go into an ANY Amarillo dance club, you hear the same old stuff over and over again.
That´s why most of the better-known bands in Amarillo are playing COVERS!
Listen up Amarillo, these musicians WANT to play some original material, please let them! They can easily waste away their talents playing old Creed songs! LET THEM BE HEARD FOR WHO THEY ARE, NOT WHO THEY AREN´T!!!!

  A few nights ago I was out with the staff listening to a band, and this band had a pretty good following. After they were finished, another act hit the stage. Everyone got up and started to leave. I was standing by the door and I stopped a couple as they were walking out and asked them why they were leaving? I told them who the artist was and without hesitation, the girl said, "Hmph, never heard of him." as she walked out the door. Everyone missed a hell of a show.
This is a common Amarillo mentality. It must be stopped. You fans bitching about not having a music scene are the ones that are killing it. Bear in mind, this does not cover all of the Amarillo fans. The GOOD fans out there are the ones keeping it going.
Something truly pathetic about you BAD music fans, is that you don´t support these bands on their way up, but you can´t wait to talk about how you´ve "Always loved these guys" once they´ve made it to the top. There is so much wasted talent waiting in the wings, but they are not going to make it without YOUR help! Stop your evil ways, and support Amarillo´s music. Let it grow.
I´ve never understood why if a new restaurant, or a new club, or even a new movie comes out, we kill ourselves to get there and check it out. BUT HEAVEN FORBID Hinged try to sing an original song. HEAVEN FORBID Andy Chase want to do one of HIS songs. HEAVEN FORBID the DJ at Sparks want to play some NEW DANCE MUSIC! These folks want to do these things, let´s let them. Go to the venues to see the bands for a change, not for the drink specials. The drink specials are a perk. The music is the show.
Quit living in the past Amarillo.

  Here is a message to Amarillo´s GOOD music fans.
Keep fighting the good fight.
Educate the BAD music fans around you.
Remember, if the BAD music fans win, we will be stuck with the same 3 bands, playing the same 3 venues, playing the same "3 Doors Down" songs. Over and over again.
Amarillo´s TRUE fans are the greatest fans in my eyes…… they are the ones that keep Amarillo´s music scene afloat. Our best musicians would be nothing without them.

  A message for the BAD fans:
You are strangling Amarillo with you insecure fear of change and difference.
Just because you have never heard something before, does not make it bad.
Understand that if we had things YOUR way, we would only listen to the same 3 bands, playing the same 3 venues, playing the SAME "3 DOORS DOWN, 3 DOG NIGHT, 3 BLIND MICE" FOR ALL WE KNOW! GET A LIFE!!!
You guys are sad.

  See you guys next month!