JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Music Awards Discussion 2009 Just Plain Folks Music Awards Genres/Categories Defined

Split,

I never really desired to become a rock star. In fact, when my band was offered a record deal I was the one who turned it down, which broke up the band. I am not against success or fame or anything, but in the case of my music, it was something very different for me than it is for many others. It was the thing I looked forward to everyday. I didn't want it to become my job and I didn't want to become jaded about making music. I know that's counter intuitive to what most want, but for me that was the case. When I started JPF, I switched all my focus from being a creator to being a facilitator to other creators. I realized I could use my passion (and I have plenty of that) to help a LOT of writers and artist find some level of success on a human scale level.. which for me was to find ways to be able to do what they really love.. make music, not make money. Blind pursuit of commercial success for me is as far away from the passion to create music as it can be. But I think many see it as the only valid way to "keep score" on how they are doing with their music. So part of the reason I do these awards is to give folks another positive non-money related way to get recognition for the great work and their great passion.. making music that moves people. I also was fascinated to meet people all over the US and Canada (and now finally I've gotten to meet folks from Belgium, Germany, Czech. Rep., Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Monaco and France in their home countries. We really are ALL IN THIS TOGETHER and even when language is a barrier, I've found that we're all more alike than different. And that universal passion and need to make music is a very common connector between everyone. The commerce part is great as we'd all love to get our music out to millions and make millions for our families and those we love can have great lives. But for me, the pursuit of that fame and money can ruin the base joy of making music that moves people. I try to let folks know that it's okay to redefine their success on human terms. It's okay work at your craft, not so you can get a record deal, but so you can have even MORE fun making music and have a better chance of making music that might move someone, including yourself. And along the way, I've learned that if you can get people to refocus on making the best music they can they also seem to find more success than ever before as well as a side benefit.

It's funny, last night for the first time in many years I pulled out some old recordings I'd made as practice tapes for songs I'd written. I was never a vocalist (I always had one to work with) so my singing leaves a bit to be desired, but I totally felt some of the magic and passion I had when writing those songs. I'd actually forgotten so many of them completely (I've written and recorded over 2000 songs.. I probably couldn't recall the lyrics to 10 of them) and so hearing them again was pretty eye opening. So much so that I've launched a secret music and creative project starting today.. not to get a record deal or to be famous for it.. but because the creative process will be so much fun. And no, I won't be posting it here. I made a strict rule a long time ago not to mix my own music with the organization. I hate it when people use groups and organizations to push and forward their own career. For me, that's sleazy. I also think that some org. in the world should actually support it's consituancy (i.e. in my case musicians) without also having their hands in their pockets. Politicians do that.. and a whole industry exists in the music world to make money off of musicians that for the most part AREN'T making any money in return from those who are supposed to be helping them. So I try to keep everything free. Sure, we still need money and fortunately we've found a few companies that share my vision and sponsor us.. and we also have a few generous members who voluntarily donate some money so we can get stuff done that can only be done with money. But I've become a master of how to get things done without throwing money at it.. and in some ways, our awards could ONLY happen if we keep money away from them. As soon as money is involved, then agendas start to crop up. Right now our only agenda is to identify and call attention to music that moves us that might otherwise not get the attention it deserves. For me, that's the best focus you can have with music. I wish all the other "awards" and "contests" had that vision. But I truly think we're the only one, certainly of the very large awards programs.

Thanks for the note. By the way, I will be updating this post with the 2008/2009 genres and definitions in August. We are 90% of the way done with Round 1 and once we are done, we'll know which genres we'll be adding. Right now the number is pretty large.

Brian