Who's Online Now
10 members (Fdemetrio, VNORTH2, Gary E. Andrews, Perry Neal Crawford, couchgrouch, Sunset Poet, Guy E. Trepanier, bennash, Bill Draper, David Gill), 4,088 guests, and 270 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Register Today!
Welcome to the Just Plain Folks forums! You are currently viewing our forums as a Guest which gives you limited access to most of our discussions and to other features.

By joining our free community you will have access to post and respond to topics, communicate privately with our users (PM), respond to polls, upload content, and access many other features. Registration is fast, simple, and absolutely free; so please join our community today!
ShoutChat
Comment Guidelines: Do post respectful and insightful comments. Don't flame, hate, spam.
What's Going On
Does Billy Joel belong in top 10?
by Fdemetrio - 03/28/24 11:10 PM
It Is Done
by Sunset Poet - 03/28/24 07:44 PM
Music Industry Summit, Athens Ohio
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/28/24 06:14 PM
Can you save me from me
by VNORTH2 - 03/28/24 03:11 PM
As human as yo
by ckiphen - 03/28/24 09:55 AM
Fox News Reports Stunning Archeological Discovery.
by couchgrouch - 03/27/24 08:02 PM
Wasting My Time
by David Gill - 03/27/24 07:42 AM
Song available
by JAPOV - 03/26/24 03:38 PM
YELLIN AT CLOUDS
by David Gill - 03/26/24 03:20 PM
"Reliving" the great Lou Rawls!
by Brian Austin Whitney - 03/26/24 01:49 PM
::: The Best In My Life :::
by Bill Draper - 03/26/24 01:32 PM
The show must go on
by ckiphen - 03/26/24 09:06 AM
NYC Motel 1972
by rpirone - 03/26/24 12:43 AM
usic Industry Summitt
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/25/24 11:32 PM
The Rant Arena
by JAPOV - 03/25/24 07:39 PM
Song available
by Raymond Byabazaire - 03/25/24 11:55 AM
Song available
by Raymond Byabazaire - 03/25/24 11:55 AM
Lancaster Festival, Lancaster, Ohio
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/25/24 10:51 AM
Wasting my time
by Rob B. - 03/25/24 03:45 AM
Tom Waits.. What's he building
by Fdemetrio - 03/25/24 12:09 AM
Rick Beato, bad lyrics
by Fdemetrio - 03/24/24 11:23 PM
Inspirational Videos Post Them Here
by Sunset Poet - 03/24/24 11:27 AM
Used to take a Genius to Mix
by Fdemetrio - 03/23/24 11:00 AM
She’s missing but she ain’t missing him
by ckiphen - 03/23/24 08:44 AM
"Broken Places"
by Gary E. Andrews - 03/22/24 07:45 PM
All You Are Is A Lie
by Sunset Poet - 03/22/24 06:55 PM
Pour Choices
by Gavin Sinclair - 03/22/24 05:29 PM
Billy's 30 year overdue song.
by Fdemetrio - 03/22/24 01:30 PM
Make my dreams come true
by ckiphen - 03/22/24 10:51 AM
Top Posters
Calvin 19,857
Travis david 12,264
Kevin Emmrich 10,941
Jean Bullock 10,330
Kaley Willow 10,240
Two Singers 9,649
Joice Marie 9,186
Mackie H. 9,003
glynda 8,683
Mike Dunbar 8,574
Tricia Baker 8,318
couchgrouch 8,160
Colin Ward 7,911
Corey 7,357
Vicarn 6,916
Mark Kaufman 6,589
ben willis 6,114
Lynn Orloff 5,788
Louis 5,725
Linda Sings 5,608
KimberlyinNC 5,210
Fdemetrio 4,990
Neil Cotton 4,909
Derek Hines 4,893
DonnaMarilyn 4,670
Blake Hill 4,528
Bob Cushing 4,389
Roy Cooper 4,271
Bill Osofsky 4,199
Tom Shea 4,195
Cindy Miller 4,178
TamsNumber4 4,171
MFB III 4,143
Sunset Poet 4,126
nightengale 4,096
E Swartz 3,985
JAPOV 3,973
beechnut79 3,878
Caroline 3,865
Kolstad 3,845
Dan Sullivan 3,710
Dottie 3,427
joewatt 3,411
Bill Cooper 3,279
John Hoffman 3,199
Skip Johnson 3,027
Pam Hurley 3,007
Terry G 3,005
Nigel Quin 2,891
PopTodd 2,890
Harriet Ames 2,870
MidniteBob 2,761
Nelson 2,616
Tom Tracy 2,558
Jerry Jakala 2,524
Al Alvarez 2,499
Eric Thome 2,448
Hummingbird 2,401
Stan Loh 2,263
Sam Wilson 2,246
Wendy D 2,235
Judy Hollier 2,232
Erica Ellis 2,202
maccharles 2,134
TrumanCoyote 2,096
Marty Helly 2,041
DukeWill 2,002
floyd jane 1,985
Clint Anglin 1,904
cindyrella 1,888
David Wright 1,866
Clairejeanne 1,851
Cindy LaRosa 1,824
Ronald Boyt 1,675
Iggy 1,652
Noel Downs 1,633
Rick Heenan 1,608
Cal 1,574
GocartMoz 1,559
Jack Swain 1,554
Pete Larsen 1,537
Ann Tygart 1,529
Tom Breshers 1,487
RogerS 1,481
Tom Franz 1,473
Chuck Crowe 1,441
Ralph Blight 1,440
Rick Norton 1,429
Kenneth Cade 1,429
bholt 1,411
Letha Allen 1,409
in2piano 1,404
Stan Simons 1,402
Deej56 1,385
mattbanx 1,384
Jen Shaner 1,373
Charlie Wong 1,347
KevinP 1,324
Vondelle 1,316
Tom W. 1,313
Jan Petter 1,301
scottandrew 1,294
lane1777 1,280
Gerry 1,280
DakLander 1,265
IronKnee 1,262
PeteG 1,242
Ian Ferrin 1,235
Glen King 1,214
VNORTH2 1,212
IdeaGuy 1,209
AaronAuthier 1,177
summeoyo 1,174
Diane Ewing 1,162
ckiphen 1,120
joro 1,082
BobbyJoe 1,075
S.DEE 1,040
yann 1,037
9ne 1,035
David Gill 1,032
Tony A 1,016
argo 986
peaden 984
90 dB 964
Wolvman 960
Jak Kelly 912
krtinberg 890
Drifter 886
Petra 883
RJC 845
Brenda152 840
Nadia 829
ant 798
Juan 797
TKO 784
Dayson 781
frahmes 781
bennash 763
teletwang 762
Andy K 750
Andy Kemp 749
tbryson 737
Jackie444 731
Irwin 720
3daveyO3 704
Dixie 701
Joy Boy 695
Pat Hardy 692
Knute 686
Lee Arten 678
Moosesong 668
Katziis 652
R.T.MOORE 638
quality 637
CG King 622
douglas 621
R&M 614
Mel 614
NaomiSue 601
Shandy 590
Ria 587
TAMERA64 583
qbaum 570
nitepiano 566
pRISCILLA 556
Tink2 553
musica 539
deanbell 528
RobertK 527
BonzaiWag 523
Roderic 522
BB Wilbur 513
goodfolks 499
Zeek 487
Stu 486
Steve P. 481
KathyW 462
allenb 459
MaxG 458
Philjo 454
fanito 448
trush48 448
dmk 442
Rob L 439
arealrush 437
DGR 436
avweek 435
Stephen D 433
Emmy 431
marquez 422
kit 419
Softkrome 417
kyrksongs 415
RRon 408
Laura G. 407
VNORTH 407
Debra 407
eb 406
cuebald 399
EdPerrone 399
Dannyk1 395
Hobart 395
Davyboy49 393
Smile 389
GJShades 387
Alek 386
Ezt 384
tone 380
Marla 380
Ann_F 379
iggyiggy 378
coalminer 377
java 374
ddreuter 371
spidey 371
sweetsong 370
danny 367
Rob B. 364
Jim Ryan 360
papaG 353
Z - man 350
JamesDF5 348
John K 348
Jaden 344
TheBaz 340
Steggy 339
leif 339
tonedeaf 336
rickwork 334
Eddie Ray 332
Johnboy 328
Bob Lever 328
Helicon1 327
lucian 326
Muskie 321
kc 319
Z. Mulls 318
ptondreau 313
ONOFFON 312
Chris B. 310
trush 304
ed323 297
Ellen M 294
markus-ky 293
lizzorn 291
nicnac49 290
Char 286
ktunes 285
Top Likes Received
JAPOV 86
VNORTH2 45
bennash 38
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
So, this board has been up for more than 20 years (it went up in October 1998). The oldest registrants appear to be 2000 because during a switch to an updated board and we had to re register right at the change of the year so a handful are 2000 and the rest of us later in 2001. I had to reregister multiple times so my date is what it is).

Anyway, after more than 20 years we still have roughly a 10 to 1 post/comment ratio which is a testament to how much info was shared and discussed. For much of it there was ZERO fighting, ZERO trolling.. nada. Over the years we'd get some destructed people, especially from competing sites, but for the most part the REAL people got along. Sure, people have different views, but there was usually respectful disagreement. I know most long timers pretty well (including those on their 6th etc. account) and most disagree on many things, but we have 20 years of history proving it doesn't have to be contentious and I love that. We also have a lifetime of LESSONS here for any songwriter who TRULY wants to learn taught by some really seriously good writers, some of which learned their chops in part on here. All it takes is a deep dive into our archive here, available 24/7. I think that is what is happening when search engines bring people here from around the world, who translate the pages into their language to learn but who can't register and post in their language as they know people here mostly don't speak it and so they just read and read and read. How do I know? Well, anecdotal evidence combined with instincts combined with facts. I have had several people contact me directly and tell me they do just that. Additionally I see our crazy traffic that isn't reading necessarily anything on the front pages but look down a few back or 20 back and check out the numbers on some of these posts! Plus, I see the countries of original, I also see Bots and Web Crawlers and which companies they are and when/where they crawl. Only real people show up on the Who's Online Page. We hit our ALL TIME most online number less than 2 years ago with 1506 humans online here at once. Of course they are not posting new stuff but the ONLY way for that to happen is to start providing more content for them to be interested in. I have thought about taking the text from some of the older but great educational posts of the past and reposting it, but I don't want to annoy those of you who are here participating. Only about 1000 people visit here more than once per month and post something so I don't want to annoy the most important folks, but I am open to suggestions or may experiment and I bet many of you haven't seen many of these old but interesting posts.

So let me know,

Brian


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 668
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 668
Thank you so much for starting this site and keeping it going! I have learned a lot from it and enjoy reading it.


IIt's times like these you learn to love again. Foo Fighters


Music page
www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandid=707030

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Thanks Moose, but you have over 13 years here already and only 558 posts. Do you mostly just read, or did you take a LONG break and come back? (seems perhaps that is what you did if I remember right).

We're glad to have you!

Brian


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
Top 100 Poster
Online Content
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 29
It's a nice site Brian. Congrats on 20 years.

Martin

Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 370
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 370
Congrats Brian - I remember running across this site and joining in the 1990's - for a while it was just easier to read without all the re registering. I don't post often. I generally only post when I have something to add. Posting for postings sake has never been something I do.




Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Top 30 Poster
Offline
Top 30 Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,831
Brian:

In today's fast paced, ever-changing Internet and Technology world, 20+ years is an amazing accomplishment. Thanks for your patience, courage and tenacity. Your motto, "Does it move you?" is ingrained into my musical being. I wonder what the Internet (or it's replacement) will be like in another 20 years?

All the best, ----Dave

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Id say the people that still come here are all old enough to remember a time when the internet didn't exist. It's strange, I try to explain how life was to my niece and nephew and I myself have a hard time understanding it. I actually have to imagine life before the internet even though I grew up without it.

Imagine being out in the park all day and playing baseball with neighborhood kids, and on a summer day, leaving at 10 am and not returning home until dinner. No cell phones to let my folks know where I was, i used to walk all over my city even to parts unknown, as long as I was home by dinner all was well.

I would say the idea of "Does it move you" is even more powerful today, because it takes a damn near earthquake to move somebody today. How do you move a people who have the world at their fingertips. Only way youll get them is if they are not distracted by the internet, but yet, you need the internet to let them know u exist.

I believe the future of this forum will rest with (as they said in My Cousin Vinny, Yutes) The Youth.

I think this forum will last as long as the members it has will last. Getting YUTES will be hard, but possible... if it goes back to the art of music, and not the technology of music, which can be found anywhere.





Last edited by Fdemetrio; 01/23/19 04:51 PM.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
Offline
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Congratulations Brian! TWO Decades! Many people who started something have done it for a year or so, then off to another and another. YOU had this concept in solid ground all the way form the beginning, which I joined in 1998 or 1999, right off the Lennon, More Than a Memory tune I had released, (with Buddy Holcombe). To say you and this site have been a great influence on me doesn't really tell the incredible, unique experiences and learning many aspects of the music business, beside just plain having FUN with it all!

You took me in like an older brother who needed some help when I was a little down. You knew and know of my many odd tries at this and that, and the many so called failures I learned from. You helped in my NOT getting down on myself to any point of giving up. You asked to perform at your showcase for a little tune I had just written in the style of Sir Paul, as it was a challenge to do that from another Beatle Nut who wanted me to wrote and record Paul type songs, and he wold write and record Lennon type songs, for the fun of it, and to maybe have an album to kick around to friends and whoever. You said my tune was really good, and so did my friend, who at hearing it, said FORGET IT, I can't begin to try to write a Lennon songs, after you quickly made one up that should be Paul doing it NOW! Hahaha! That free time had me spend more time here. 5 or 6 showcases later, (NOT playing the Paul-like tune at every showcase, which I REGRET), I get even more involved here. SO much to read and try out form so many different points of view. Then, AGAIN,,,,BY BEING ON Just Plain Folks Boards, Mike Caro and Scott Campbell become online friends of mine. (among others, of course). But, Scott wrote that baseball song, "Opening Day", for which I wrote in a review of it, that he should get another singer for it, to really get the feeling of a baseball player saying all those great lines. Mike Caro heard the song, and said he should get ME to sing it! hahaha. So, Scott paid for me to go to NY, Staten Island, form South Jersey, near Philly, to sing Scott's great song.
Well, I just didn't get to sing that song, and have it play at The Phillies 2008 Opening Day Game, (their world Series Winning Year, BUT, I also got to hear it play the following years via Scott sending me and my wife money so we could go! WOW! NOT DONE either....Mike Caro, who produced and played that song, directed all my singing,,,I mean ALLLLLL the words, the phrasing, the notes he said to go to in spots, by singing them after he came out of that little control room at his GREAT home studio! I learned so much THAT ONE DAY! (All from signing up on Just Plain Folks, and being encouraged by you, and learning a lot from many styled folks here. That Mike Caro and Scott Campbell song session then led me to work some at Caro studio, and to soon after, try to get Mike seen by doctor after doctor, for his illness NO ONE could figure out. That led to him asking me to learn his board and system, to help with sessions. (THE first session was for Springsteen's producer and first manager, Mike Appel. (Your feelings aside for this please). That 7 6 month long session of three a week for all kinds of songs, including later an Overture I was compose, play and pitch to him, got me to do do much more than ever. Mike Caro is a Gem! Scott Campbell is the most creative songwriter and great guy, besides having a PHD in Bio Chemistry.

Just Plain Folks also led to me IGGY, (actually during the Mike Caro Sessions even before Appel. Iggy asked, or I asked him to tryout for my Too Little Time Band. He was instantly IN as soon as he came in the front door. One of those things you just KNOW! NO audition then. It was then just a matter of Iggy getting to know my involved songs, for the most part. The Too Little Time song I played at your showcases was the easiest of them all. Many other had sharps and flats!!! lol

YOU called me on the phone to have me hear and NON release Paul song, BEFORE anyone but the studio people heard it! Thank yo again for that special honor and experience. THAT doesn't happen if not on Just Plain Folks with YOU at the helm!

Everything I did in music since about 1998 or 9 all has ties to you and JPF! ALL the ups, the questions marks, the downs, and back up again, etc, are ALL needed, worthwhile. passion driven experiences! Without you, it wold have a whole different path of not learning much, and just hanging with Buddy in Barrington, talking about music on his porch. Because of YOU, I got to get up, record more, get out more and really get out to those 4 or five states in the Northeast USA with you and other friends, (members of JPF) !

"It's a Wonderful Life". And, I don't have try to jump off a bridge to die and be saved, and be shown what life would be without everything you, friends and I did, to know for sure it has been a Wonderful Life, and will continue in my sort-of retirement. I still record at home on Logic Pro X, and mostly help out Roon, my guitar player from Too Little Time. I can help some because of ALL the things I learned form you, this site, and many fellow members. Mike and Scott especially, BUT, so many members have helped me in many ways. Without you, they all would not have been onJ PF to learn from, which enhanced not just my music and all those aspects of recording, but enhanced my FUN and fullfillment. NOT in the music business. But, it ALL beats bowling a couple nights a week, if that's all I could do for fun!

So, THANK YOU BRIAN AUSTIN WHITNEY, FOR STARTING JPF, AND FOR ALL YOU DID AND STILL DO! YOU'RE A GREAT MAN! BE HAPPY FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR MANY! AND KEEP IT GOING!

Love,
John


Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1409522





Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Thanks John, when you get a nice thank you like this now and then it makes more difference than you can know. I used to get similar types of comments almost daily, then monthly, then once in a while and now about once a year which is what happens when you stop touring the world and meeting thousands of new people a year and revisiting with old friends in all genres, with all backgrounds from unknown people who had never even talked about their music in person let alone playing it for other people, often hundreds of people, in person on one of our stages. We had over 25K different people play at one or more shows in 48 States and over 40 countries. I played in all those places as well early on as well which was great fun in the early years but once I decided to do this full time in the late 90's, I pulled back from making music and eventually traded what I thought was my first love, making music myself, for my love of helping others, some more talented than I, some less talented, but instead of working on my music, I helped thousands of people make better music not always in teaching them to make better music (usually I relied on much more experienced and successful people for that) but in motivating them in a new way using email, later the internet, but always marrying it to face to face connections. i had over 35K phone numbers at one time (sadly I lost that archive in a computer crash that ALSO left my back up corrupted as well) of people along the way and at one time I was to the point where nearly anyone in the music industry would have known my name and taken my call if I made it. The health problems slowly brought that all to an end, and mostly I have a smaller circle of friends, but do come across people in unexpected times and ways who tell me how much of a difference I made in their lives and man, is that SOOOO much better than money or fame or the rest. You just have no idea.

Thanks John!


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by Johnny Daubert


(THE first session was for Springsteen's producer and first manager, Mike Appel. (Your feelings aside for this please). That 7 6 month long session of three a week for all kinds of songs, including later an Overture I was compose, play and pitch to him, got me to do do much more than ever. Mike Caro is a Gem! Scott Campbell is the most creative songwriter and great guy, besides having a PHD in Bio Chemistry.

Just Plain Folks also led to me IGGY, (actually during the Mike Caro Sessions even before Appel. Iggy asked, or I asked him to tryout for my Too Little Time Band. He was instantly IN as soon as he came in the front door. One of those things you just KNOW! NO audition then. It was then just a matter of Iggy getting to know my involved songs, for the most part. The Too Little Time song I played at your showcases was the easiest of them all. Many other had sharps and flats!!! lol

Love,
John


What feelings aside.... im not a jealous person, but one thing im jealous of is that you know MR A and subsequently know Bruce. That's a proud credit to have.

Even though they had a vicious legal battle, they are still friends. And Bruce still credits him for all his success. Not too Shabby

Thanks him in this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZCd_xd-jX0 around :50

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 01/25/19 12:39 PM.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
Offline
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Your question would be a personal one between Brian and myself, or Brian to anyone.. My story is: I got to audition for Appel, for which he had me attend every session he was to have from that day going forward, in Staten Island, at Substudio, (Mike Caro's home studio), who had been a Sony Records studio musician, discovered by Clive Davis. You gotta hear Mike Caro do all he can! Wow! Anyway, I did a lot for the recordings for the musical demo. (set up the session with whatever we were going to use that session, and to run the programs to record and edit, (pre-mixing techniques for each track/track management). Plus, to play many parts of varied instrument sounds on keys, plus real drums when good for the track. (I played on two or three song on drums, along with everything else, including bass played on the keys. (Once a standup bass setting for it fit the song). Mike Caro had been ill for years before that, but got worse in 2012, which is why he called me in to help him out in whatever way I could, technically, and for playing/recording parts. So, I did a lot, as I said. I was fine with how everything went, even the low pay. In my mind, I was helping out Mike Caro more than Appel. It was FUN too. ALL was fine and even great for me through 2012. It was a year after I had done NOTHING, for getting loud and piercing Tinnitus, form all the years in bands, and tuning over 10,000 pianos. (Many tuning were on return tunings for those pianos I tuned through 35 years. Others where from shows and celebs wherever they happen to be at the time, (in and around Philly). Musicals, concerts, etc for Philly theaters and clubs. Philly Orchestra to once in a while to fill in for their "old timer" tuner. Anyway, I had thought I was OUT of ALL things to do with music and pianos. ONE YEAR,,,Nothing! But, Mike Caro talked me into JUST hooking up some wires, and maybe working with the computer music program. THAT got me to be easily talked into laying down a track or two. THEN, when Appel called him to do many sessions through months in 2012, there I was, to be easily called in for a look see by Appel. We quickly became friends and had a blast while I was creating parts for songs I never heard before each new song session time. I was somehow better than I had been, before that year off from not even playing one note on my upright at home. It was like that year off, and trying to deal with Tinnitus, had my brain recoil, and reset everything I had ever heard. I was able to suddenly create and play anything at all I imagined, for any instrument sound. Plus, I hadn't played drums in about two or three years, but took the sticks when Appel said he was going to get a session drummer in soon, or the next session for the song I had been playing everything for. IN my head, I already KNEW what the drums should be, for I played BASS on the keys, imagining drums! Appel asked Caro, "where's he going"? Caro told him, just wait,,,,he can do anything, or something like that. I did the song in one take on drums, with then doing some things in spots again, to get it spot on, or to add a strike before the crash. Appel gave me a look of surprise when I came back into the control room, where we had the keys set up, in front of the computer I was working nearly at the same times as when playing anything on the keys. We all laughed. I was like a kid again. I was simply having the time of my life, being in music AGAIN, after thinking it was all over. I didn't care about added Tinnitus I would of course have right then, and especially on the hour and a half ride home to South Jersey, near Philly. It was WORTH IT! I had the volumes lower, and used headphones on drums, of course. I got paid whatever I was paid, and that was that, I didn't think or really care about anything else. I a couple of years later, (2015) composed and recorded an overture version of one of the songs in the musical's demo. A simulated 35 Piece Orchestra composition, by ear and memory of it all, as I layered part after part of those instruments on the keys, (at home). Appel came to my house to hear it and to see my setup. (I since got the top of the line Yamahs Mid sized Reference Speakers, the new ones based on the smaller NS-10's. (Because Appel heard and saw my below par speakers not make for reference/mixing. THAT's what he first noticed! He paid me more than we agreed, so I could get those Yamaha's. Brian doesn't know that. So, my end of the story is, Yes, I did much more than I got paid to do. BUT, I had much more fun, and, DID MUSIC AGAIN after thinking those days were over. (as you can tell, I have enough passion and energy to carry me though anything at anytime of the night, as long it is music related1 I just turned 66, but, when doing or talking about music, I am 15 again, getting into my first full time, (NIGHTS), pro working band. I was with guys 2 and 3 years older, but they called me to audition. Lucky ME all the through the years! Tinnitus is now JUST a reminder of ALL I did with my ears in music and piano tuning, with meeting many people and making them happy with a tuned piano to play, or to be part of bands! It's ALL good, as I see it. Brian had a different, business take on what I should have been making, and with contracts. I am one who JUST wants to play however I can and with whoever will have me. I had to leave my original music band in 2011. THEE saddest musical day of my life. I felt SO bad for the guys, who were all getting into our band, more and more. I was lucky to have all of them, sacrificing their own desires to play mostly my songs out, and mostly, for FREE. Field concerts and such, We did ONE hour and half concert like gigs. Even at a coffee house where we were TOO LOUD! (do you think that gig added on to me getting LOUD Tinnitus!??? hahaha

Thanks for reading my rant. (I can out energy my grandsons, so watch it!) haha

Be well,
John

PS. Brian,,,,,See? You are the reason for this too! It never ends with YOU!!!! Congrats again on OUR 20th! All of us!


Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1409522





Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by Johnny Daubert
Your question would be a personal one between Brian and myself, or Brian to anyone.. My story is: I got to audition for Appel, for which he had me attend every session he was to have from that day going forward, in Staten Island, at Substudio, (Mike Caro's home studio), who had been a Sony Records studio musician, discovered by Clive Davis. You gotta hear Mike Caro do all he can! Wow! Anyway, I did a lot for the recordings for the musical demo. (set up the session with whatever we were going to use that session, and to run the programs to record and edit, (pre-mixing techniques for each track/track management). Plus, to play many parts of varied instrument sounds on keys, plus real drums when good for the track. (I played on two or three song on drums, along with everything else, including bass played on the keys. (Once a standup bass setting for it fit the song). Mike Caro had been ill for years before that, but got worse in 2012, which is why he called me in to help him out in whatever way I could, technically, and for playing/recording parts. So, I did a lot, as I said. I was fine with how everything went, even the low pay. In my mind, I was helping out Mike Caro more than Appel. It was FUN too. ALL was fine and even great for me through 2012. It was a year after I had done NOTHING, for getting loud and piercing Tinnitus, form all the years in bands, and tuning over 10,000 pianos. (Many tuning were on return tunings for those pianos I tuned through 35 years. Others where from shows and celebs wherever they happen to be at the time, (in and around Philly). Musicals, concerts, etc for Philly theaters and clubs. Philly Orchestra to once in a while to fill in for their "old timer" tuner. Anyway, I had thought I was OUT of ALL things to do with music and pianos. ONE YEAR,,,Nothing! But, Mike Caro talked me into JUST hooking up some wires, and maybe working with the computer music program. THAT got me to be easily talked into laying down a track or two. THEN, when Appel called him to do many sessions through months in 2012, there I was, to be easily called in for a look see by Appel. We quickly became friends and had a blast while I was creating parts for songs I never heard before each new song session time. I was somehow better than I had been, before that year off from not even playing one note on my upright at home. It was like that year off, and trying to deal with Tinnitus, had my brain recoil, and reset everything I had ever heard. I was able to suddenly create and play anything at all I imagined, for any instrument sound. Plus, I hadn't played drums in about two or three years, but took the sticks when Appel said he was going to get a session drummer in soon, or the next session for the song I had been playing everything for. IN my head, I already KNEW what the drums should be, for I played BASS on the keys, imagining drums! Appel asked Caro, "where's he going"? Caro told him, just wait,,,,he can do anything, or something like that. I did the song in one take on drums, with then doing some things in spots again, to get it spot on, or to add a strike before the crash. Appel gave me a look of surprise when I came back into the control room, where we had the keys set up, in front of the computer I was working nearly at the same times as when playing anything on the keys. We all laughed. I was like a kid again. I was simply having the time of my life, being in music AGAIN, after thinking it was all over. I didn't care about added Tinnitus I would of course have right then, and especially on the hour and a half ride home to South Jersey, near Philly. It was WORTH IT! I had the volumes lower, and used headphones on drums, of course. I got paid whatever I was paid, and that was that, I didn't think or really care about anything else. I a couple of years later, (2015) composed and recorded an overture version of one of the songs in the musical's demo. A simulated 35 Piece Orchestra composition, by ear and memory of it all, as I layered part after part of those instruments on the keys, (at home). Appel came to my house to hear it and to see my setup. (I since got the top of the line Yamahs Mid sized Reference Speakers, the new ones based on the smaller NS-10's. (Because Appel heard and saw my below par speakers not make for reference/mixing. THAT's what he first noticed! He paid me more than we agreed, so I could get those Yamaha's. Brian doesn't know that. So, my end of the story is, Yes, I did much more than I got paid to do. BUT, I had much more fun, and, DID MUSIC AGAIN after thinking those days were over. (as you can tell, I have enough passion and energy to carry me though anything at anytime of the night, as long it is music related1 I just turned 66, but, when doing or talking about music, I am 15 again, getting into my first full time, (NIGHTS), pro working band. I was with guys 2 and 3 years older, but they called me to audition. Lucky ME all the through the years! Tinnitus is now JUST a reminder of ALL I did with my ears in music and piano tuning, with meeting many people and making them happy with a tuned piano to play, or to be part of bands! It's ALL good, as I see it. Brian had a different, business take on what I should have been making, and with contracts. I am one who JUST wants to play however I can and with whoever will have me. I had to leave my original music band in 2011. THEE saddest musical day of my life. I felt SO bad for the guys, who were all getting into our band, more and more. I was lucky to have all of them, sacrificing their own desires to play mostly my songs out, and mostly, for FREE. Field concerts and such, We did ONE hour and half concert like gigs. Even at a coffee house where we were TOO LOUD! (do you think that gig added on to me getting LOUD Tinnitus!??? hahaha

Thanks for reading my rant. (I can out energy my grandsons, so watch it!) haha

Be well,
John

PS. Brian,,,,,See? You are the reason for this too! It never ends with YOU!!!! Congrats again on OUR 20th! All of us!


Doing drums in one take is better than what Ringo could do, lol

That's a cool story. So the beef was the amount you were making? That i cant comment on.

I recently saw Vinny "mad dog" lopez, original e street drummer, on channel 12 news. He still plays bars, he and Bruce nearly had a fist fight before Bruce fired him. But did you know that Bruce keeps him on the payroll? He said he still gets a check every month from Bruce. hes not obligated to give him anything but does cause of the friendship it started with. People get on Bruce for his politics, im not a fan of the politics either, but loyalty matters to me.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 2
9ne Offline
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 2
HEY! Don't be hatin' on Ringo! LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NCczct2ZIM



Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by 9ne
HEY! Don't be hatin' on Ringo! LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NCczct2ZIM


Ringo was a decent drummer, The Beatles were about songs, so he drummed like that. He was creative. But when compared to Moon or Bonham, or Ginger Baker or even Charlie Watts and those guys from that era, not so much.

But his son Zak, enabled The Who to tour again cause he was able to channel Keith Moon, Moon actually gave him lessons as a young kid. Not quite Moon, but the spirit is certainly there

Last edited by Fdemetrio; 01/26/19 01:15 PM.
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
Offline
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio


Doing drums in one take is better than what Ringo could do, lol

NOOOO! Ringo would remember everything, and it was the others who either messed up or kept trying some things. Ringo was said to be SOLID from start to finish.

That's a cool story. So the beef was the amount you were making?

Yes.

I recently saw Vinny "mad dog" lopez, original e street drummer, on channel 12 news. He still plays bars, he and Bruce nearly had a fist fight before Bruce fired him. But did you know that Bruce keeps him on the payroll? He said he still gets a check every month from Bruce. hes not obligated to give him anything but does cause of the friendship it started with. People get on Bruce for his politics, im not a fan of the politics either, but loyalty matters to me.

Very cool! Probably because Bruce credits Vinny with starting the band with him and being a drummer, if good or bad, that's the way the band usually goes too. Bruce is HIGH passion and work ethic crazy, (good crazy, as it was explained to me in detail). 14 hours was normal for Bruce to go over things again and again and again at a session. Drummers get tired of course. Then get sloppy. Is why I don't practice drums,,,not since I was 14. I want to be fresh even if not playing for a year or two. Me being in sports before, and at first playing the accordion with hands and arms going in all different directions, allows that to happen. I like to sit down, hit record, play, then get up and hear what needs to be better. Then do just that punch in. Done!




Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1409522





Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Look, I turned down 8 million bucks to do all this for free. Sure, I had a huge deal with a couple Silicon Valley companies to do something amazing (and would have set me for many lives) and the stroke happened right at the critical time and it was all over that fast. I could have gotten in a legal battle over agreements we had that were not honored, but that stress was too much of a risk when you're barely hanging on for a 4 year stretch in and out of hospitals, being pronounced dead more than once, being told I would die within 48 hours only to be released free and clear 60 hours later and so on. Money, I learned, isn't everything and all the people I know who have a LOT of it have to make unimaginable choices that would rip the soul out of most decent people to keep it up. I have so much respect from people to say HELL NO when faced with some of the moral choices they are given to keep it going. It isn't easy. It was easier for me to walk away from the last big deal because it really was cut and dry life and death. Since that time, the most amazing things have come into my life that dwarf all that came before. I am thankful I am still around to experience it. It doesn't mean I don't miss terribly the people and activities of the past, I do, but as options become limited, pick the best lane you can and enjoy it for as long as you get. It's like what I told you long ago, keep making music, for free or alone for only yourself, as long as you can. And I am so happy you've done that. And you've grabbed some brass rings that always come up when you do what you love if you know how to appreciate them and recognize them when they appear.

For the record, there was more to that story you told than money, but it is water well under the bridge and you got wonderful life experiences from it to remember, so it's all good and you obviously didn't need to victimize anyone along the way to enjoy it. I think that should be a question you always ask: Is my opportunity going to victimize anyone by my hand or by supporting those who victimize others? And answer based on doing the right thing. If you are the only possible victim, but it makes you happy, it's all good. And at least for the moment, it's a free country. Not so sure about most of the rest of the world.


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by Johnny Daubert
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio


Doing drums in one take is better than what Ringo could do, lol

NOOOO! Ringo would remember everything, and it was the others who either messed up or kept trying some things. Ringo was said to be SOLID from start to finish.

That's a cool story. So the beef was the amount you were making?

Yes.

I recently saw Vinny "mad dog" lopez, original e street drummer, on channel 12 news. He still plays bars, he and Bruce nearly had a fist fight before Bruce fired him. But did you know that Bruce keeps him on the payroll? He said he still gets a check every month from Bruce. hes not obligated to give him anything but does cause of the friendship it started with. People get on Bruce for his politics, im not a fan of the politics either, but loyalty matters to me.

Very cool! Probably because Bruce credits Vinny with starting the band with him and being a drummer, if good or bad, that's the way the band usually goes too. Bruce is HIGH passion and work ethic crazy, (good crazy, as it was explained to me in detail). 14 hours was normal for Bruce to go over things again and again and again at a session. Drummers get tired of course. Then get sloppy. Is why I don't practice drums,,,not since I was 14. I want to be fresh even if not playing for a year or two. Me being in sports before, and at first playing the accordion with hands and arms going in all different directions, allows that to happen. I like to sit down, hit record, play, then get up and hear what needs to be better. Then do just that punch in. Done!





I obviously dont know him, but from what i've heard and read his work ethic is off the charts. Beginning with learning how to just play the guitar. I believe it was 8 hours a day. People dont realize how good of a guitar player he is. But also the way he works in the studio. Maybe not so much today, but he would obsess over things like the drummers snare drum sound. I remember Jimmy Iovine saying in a documentary that, every time they'd play something back, Bruce would yell "stick", meaning you could hear the stick on the snare, so they would sit for hours and hours making sure you couldn't hear the stick lol

Then there's the magic notebook. He evidently had unlimited amounts of notebooks with unlimited amounts of lyrics, and song ideas.

There's a clip in the doc where the new manager said "Bruce, why are you opening that book, when you open that book, it means more work" lol and this is the manager saying this.

It was said they had 5 songs to get 1, and would have alternate takes on just about every song.

Apparently for Darkness on the edge of Town, there were 70 song choices and only 10 made the album.

So yeah, even other famous artists said they couldn't live the way he did, it was all work all the time



Last edited by Fdemetrio; 01/28/19 12:03 PM.
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
F
Top 50 Poster
Online Content
Top 50 Poster
F
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 4,990
Likes: 15
Originally Posted by Brian Austin Whitney
Look, I turned down 8 million bucks to do all this for free. Sure, I had a huge deal with a couple Silicon Valley companies to do something amazing (and would have set me for many lives) and the stroke happened right at the critical time and it was all over that fast. I could have gotten in a legal battle over agreements we had that were not honored, but that stress was too much of a risk when you're barely hanging on for a 4 year stretch in and out of hospitals, being pronounced dead more than once, being told I would die within 48 hours only to be released free and clear 60 hours later and so on. Money, I learned, isn't everything and all the people I know who have a LOT of it have to make unimaginable choices that would rip the soul out of most decent people to keep it up. I have so much respect from people to say HELL NO when faced with some of the moral choices they are given to keep it going. It isn't easy. It was easier for me to walk away from the last big deal because it really was cut and dry life and death. Since that time, the most amazing things have come into my life that dwarf all that came before. I am thankful I am still around to experience it. It doesn't mean I don't miss terribly the people and activities of the past, I do, but as options become limited, pick the best lane you can and enjoy it for as long as you get. It's like what I told you long ago, keep making music, for free or alone for only yourself, as long as you can. And I am so happy you've done that. And you've grabbed some brass rings that always come up when you do what you love if you know how to appreciate them and recognize them when they appear.

For the record, there was more to that story you told than money, but it is water well under the bridge and you got wonderful life experiences from it to remember, so it's all good and you obviously didn't need to victimize anyone along the way to enjoy it. I think that should be a question you always ask: Is my opportunity going to victimize anyone by my hand or by supporting those who victimize others? And answer based on doing the right thing. If you are the only possible victim, but it makes you happy, it's all good. And at least for the moment, it's a free country. Not so sure about most of the rest of the world.


Very hard to stay like that forever. I admire it too, but not so sure i could turn down 8 million bucks!

As Paul Blart said in Paul Blart Mall Cop 2, "integrity is a bewitching gumbo"

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1
Top 100 Poster
Offline
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1
Hey Brian!
Great post! Congratulations, 20 years! 20 yrs, and heck of a lot of work ... all much appreciated.
I don't even remember how I found you, but sure glad I did.. I was a brand new songwriter at the time. I owe so much to JPF over the years; many friendships (some have passed, I will never forget) knowledge, opportunities, encouragement and confidence, Pineyfest, recording with Mike Dunbar in Nashville.. so exciting. It was perfect timing for me, and launched me into this wonderful world of songwriting, performing & music.
It is cool to come back and still see so many of the same names still engaging. I know, I go long bouts away, but always nice to come home again smile
Thank YOU!!
Joanne

Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Originally Posted by Fdemetrio
Originally Posted by Brian Austin Whitney
Look, I turned down 8 million bucks to do all this for free. Sure, I had a huge deal with a couple Silicon Valley companies to do something amazing (and would have set me for many lives) and the stroke happened right at the critical time and it was all over that fast. I could have gotten in a legal battle over agreements we had that were not honored, but that stress was too much of a risk when you're barely hanging on for a 4 year stretch in and out of hospitals, being pronounced dead more than once, being told I would die within 48 hours only to be released free and clear 60 hours later and so on. Money, I learned, isn't everything and all the people I know who have a LOT of it have to make unimaginable choices that would rip the soul out of most decent people to keep it up. I have so much respect from people to say HELL NO when faced with some of the moral choices they are given to keep it going. It isn't easy. It was easier for me to walk away from the last big deal because it really was cut and dry life and death. Since that time, the most amazing things have come into my life that dwarf all that came before. I am thankful I am still around to experience it. It doesn't mean I don't miss terribly the people and activities of the past, I do, but as options become limited, pick the best lane you can and enjoy it for as long as you get. It's like what I told you long ago, keep making music, for free or alone for only yourself, as long as you can. And I am so happy you've done that. And you've grabbed some brass rings that always come up when you do what you love if you know how to appreciate them and recognize them when they appear.

For the record, there was more to that story you told than money, but it is water well under the bridge and you got wonderful life experiences from it to remember, so it's all good and you obviously didn't need to victimize anyone along the way to enjoy it. I think that should be a question you always ask: Is my opportunity going to victimize anyone by my hand or by supporting those who victimize others? And answer based on doing the right thing. If you are the only possible victim, but it makes you happy, it's all good. And at least for the moment, it's a free country. Not so sure about most of the rest of the world.


Very hard to stay like that forever. I admire it too, but not so sure i could turn down 8 million bucks!

As Paul Blart said in Paul Blart Mall Cop 2, "integrity is a bewitching gumbo"



Well, it factored in that I had to give them the name "Just Plain Folks" as part of the deal, which I own the worldwide copyright on, BUT, they were going to keep using their horrendously dumb name which was the same as an unrelated programming language and they were going to just chuck the name, (but they refused to allow me to keep ownership of the JPF name, even if I never used it in the same space or only after our deal was finished). And because that was such a dumb idea (we had really just started to take off and back in the day, 20K or more members was considered EPIC in the pre-Social Media days) and it was clear that I would be doing ALL the real work but wouldn't have final say on anything. So of course it SOUNDS like all would be well, but back then I had my health, I had other people calling me to do deals and I turned 95% of the sponsor offers away because I had no interest in attaching my name or JPF on to something I didn't believe in. So I got very close, the deal was in writing and ready for me to sign, I would have had to work for/with them for 3 years minimum and I would not be allowed to make any side deals with any company in the space for several years beyond that without their permission (which they would have used to get an interested company to pay them to "buy me out" at that time should I become a hot commodity. These guys had way more money than sense and they HAD to spend it or lose part of their deal with an even bigger entity of venture capital people which further made me uneasy. I can't remember the exact conversation for some reason, but we had a meeting in person at their offices just prior to when I was going to be signing the deal when my lawyers finished with dotting "I"s and and something just said to me, get out of move on from these guys, don't give them your baby (so to speak) and just keep doing things your own way. So I did. In the end the gamble didn't financially pay off, but that was only because of health. The deal I was in when I had the strokes was actually significantly larger and included ownership % but it all feel through in large part because I lost 18 months with 3 massive strokes that wiped out my ability to walk, talk, swallow, and left me with internal damage, I lost my photographic and audible memory where I knew everyone's name, their songs, their band names and band mates etc. of everyone I had met with instant recall of them all (as people who played in our shows, they'd be shocked that I would meet them for the first time and know all about them and could sing parts of their songs on all their albums they had sent me etc. I could tell them when and where I had met them previously, what song they played that night when we used to average 35+ performers a night for more than a decade and in over 250 cities and far more venues as we'd do 30 shows in LA in one tour stop all over town from Santa Ana to Santa Barbara. Anyway, the third stroke removed that ability and also caused it to be hard for me to say the name of any random person I know well right in front of me or even family members. (It is SOOOO frustrating). After all that, I have slowly seen stuff crawl to a close. We closed all the chapters down (we had over 100 going at one point and were working on 100 more) then pulled back a lot of the touring especially in the USA and I focused my energy on 7 week tours of Europe to meet members there with less frequent trips to US cities where we had large member bases. Nowadays I rarely travel, spending time with my family and taking a few trips each year to visit a region of the US/Canada or Europe but that's about it. We've thought of getting an RV and hitting the road again to visit at least the folks we already know and make some new friends along the way and focus on individual artists as we go for YouTube as well as doing a daily show, but until I get these awards done, that is on hold. One thing at a time these days.

The message board has always been here the past 20 years and I am grateful for that. When things were humming, so was the board, but it has slowed way down likewise but I enjoy the folks who pop in, and the 50 or so regulars who come in most days and the thousand or so who post something each month or send me a note etc. It would be nice to have a few hundred more regulars here bouncing stuff off each other, but I have learned to appreciate and be happy with what I have. Perhaps a YouTube channel will boost things a bit, but until then, this is fine. It was never about money, it was about experiences and fun you get to have along the way. Money is at most a tool to help you get from here to there, but the real meaningful stuff is interactions with folks and my son/daughter in law Bryce & Kayla and granddaughter Dani and my wife Linda and all the connected family.


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
Top 25 Poster
Offline
Top 25 Poster
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 8,102
And, Brian fought for us showcase players in Brooklyn, (at Sputnik), arguing with the owner of the venue about where we were to be, IN SOME side room, where no one else could go in. Brian won the debate, and it was moved to the regular bar, stage area. In Brian's voice, which everyone could hear, was pleading for US, not him. He wanted the best for us! I got to enjoy being on that stage, with lights. One song, but is meant a lot to me, coming form South Jersey to play once song with Brian and meeting members from that area,

So, Brian, thank you for that special moment because of what you did for us.

John


Actually a Member Since 1996 or 97 (Number One Hundred Something).
https://www.soundclick.com/bands3/default.cfm?bandID=1409522





Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
Top 10 Poster
OP Offline
Top 10 Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,579
Likes: 13
That same tour I had a gun pointed at me backstage in NYC at Trio (think that was the name). They had double booked us and this dude brought his band in to play and kept calling me to talk to him, I explained we were not cutting anyone off and either ALL of us played or we ALL left and we had SRO with over 250 people in the club pouring out into the street. I thought I was going to get shot behind the stage in this dark skinny room where no one else was, but one member heard it all and called the police and the dude pushed me (I was about 10 inches taller than him, but he was ripped) and I told him it wasn't happening but that his band was welcome to play a song and I would even suggest folks hang after our show to support them, but he tried to intimidate me. I managed to push the gun out of my face and get around him and went right to the manager and said for them to choose right then and if we were ALL leaving (which was the ENTIRE crowd) AFTER I told them he pointed a gun on me backstage, OR, he would be asked to leave and we'd finish the show and keep it cool. They chose us, though without the threat of the angry mob of 250 people, I doubt we would have won. I think what REALLY happened is the bartender saw the huge crowd, didn't (which they never would have had on a weeknight) like our mix of music, called his buddy to come bring the band he managed with the excuse that we had to cut it short because it was double booked. He never DREAMED we had 55 performers scheduled and that we'd walk out entirely rather than only let SOME people play. We had people who had traveled from all over the place including flying in from around the country to play one song on our stage in NYC. We had a bad ass Metal band from Philly of dudes that would have scared me if they weren't members, all bikers, and they ended up being my security the rest of the night. (They played one of my favorite raunchy hard rock songs called "this mutha f*cker right here" and it was grimy like only a roughneck biker gang could play, and those guys literally surrounded me after the show because the guy had threatened me when I left and I had to carry my keyboard (which was sponsored by Korg so I had to lug it around NYC) to my car blocks away). Anyway, I had other rough experiences that trip, such as seeing a girl get mugged in the middle of the street when this 6'8 thug stole her purse at 4am in Greenwich Village and was running down the street towards us with a girl shoeless chasing after him saying "he has my purse, he stole my purse" and he had a purse in his enormous hands and so me and a gal in our party were the ONLY two people out of 100+ on the streets that night within site who tried to stop the guy. I tried to tackle him, but he was so large that I literally just bounced off him. She at the same moment that I had paused him slightly jump on him as well but he flung her off and continued right down the middle of the street with people just watching, doing nothing until he got 4 blocks ahead of us and turned down an alley and we gave up. The poor girl was crying and her feet were bleeding so we went back up the street and got one of her shoes she had dropped (heels) and brought it to her and made sure she wasn't injured (she wasn't) before we went on. Just another night in NYC. That was just one snippet of stuff that happened on that one tour in one city stop. It was always a battle, but it was fun and innovative what we did and changed lives. I wish I had the support and energy to keep doing it. One of the others shows the next day we pumped 55 full bands and 7 solo acts through a show in 6 hours, so 10 per hour roughly without a problem. Shared backline, prepared people ready to get on the kit, plug in the guitars, PRE TUNED, my intro saying their name and wham.. first chord and onward. That was an amazing night.


Brian Austin Whitney
Founder
Just Plain Folks
jpfolkspro@gmail.com
Skype: Brian Austin Whitney
Facebook: www.facebook.com/justplainfolks

"Don't sit around and wait for success to come to you... it doesn't know the way." -Brian Austin Whitney

"It's easier to be the bigger man when you actually are..." -Brian Austin Whitney

"Sometimes all you have to do to inspire humans to greatness is to give them a reason and opportunity to do something great." -Brian Austin Whitney
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,389
Top 100 Poster
Offline
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,389
I'm still lurking out here. Let's face it, Farcebook has taken over the world, and we are all caught up in in it . Still HERE I AM! good to see you all, I know it's been too long, and for that I apologize!


bc
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,389
Top 100 Poster
Offline
Top 100 Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,389
You've always been great to me as well as so many on this forum. In the past few years I've been through lots of changes, as well as the changes in social media, so I kinda went adrift from here. I plan on changing that. FB has honestly turned into a cesspool. I'm ready to come home to JPF!


bc
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 964
Top 500 Poster
Offline
Top 500 Poster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 964
Congrats on 20 years Brian.



Regards,


Bob

Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 30
Top 20 Poster
Offline
Top 20 Poster
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 10,190
Likes: 30
Thanks for creating JPF Brian. A masterpiece!

Best,John smile


Link Copied to Clipboard
Support Just Plain Folks

We would like to keep the membership in Just Plain Folks FREE! Your donation helps support the many programs we offer including Road Trips and the Music Awards.


Newest Members
chriscastle, yasir252, cathennashira, Samwise, HappySousa
21,470 Registered Users
Forum Statistics
Forums117
Topics125,717
Posts1,160,950
Members21,470
Most Online37,523
Jan 25th, 2020
Just Plain Quotes
"If one man can do it, any man can do it. It is true. But the real question is, if one man did it, are you willing to do what it takes to do it as well?" –Brian Austin Whitney
Today's Birthdays
warriorgirl (2024)
Popular Topics(Views)
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5