Haven’t done this in a while because the Friday Fives have really sucked. However, this is a good one (at least question 5!) So, without further ado, the Friday Five:
1. Who is your favorite singer/musician? Why?
It’s hard to beat Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was arguably the best blues guitarist of my lifetime, but didn’t really have a ton of rips trying to prove it over and over (Steven Vai?) He was simply great. Also, you can’t deny that Eric Clapton is one of the best. Singer? Wow. I really like Noah Hunt of the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, but also like Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. It’s really hard to pick just one.
2. What one singer/musician can you not stand? Why?
Don’t know that I have only ONE. Bob Dylan makes my skin crawl because he can’t sing; he writes great songs, but he should get someone else to sing them. To expand on this, I’d go with many of the country acts that are out there (country music is an oxymoron).
3. If your favorite singer wasn’t in the music business, do you think you would still like him/her as a person?
I find this a hard question to answer as I don’t personally know any of the singers in any of the bands I like. If I don’t know them now, how can I say if I’d like them without them being in the music business?
4. Have you been to any concerts? If yes, who put on the best show?
Jeez - 47 and lived through the ’70’s. Have I been to concerts? DUH! I like the show Styx puts on - I saw them in college and then again just last year. They still rock. Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band puts on a good show. A great local band that puts on a GREAT show is Cheese Pizza. If you are in the midwest and can make one of their shows, I’d advise it. They are highly entertaining.
5. What are your thoughts on downloading free music online vs. purchasing albums? Do you feel the RIAA is right in its pursuit to stop people from dowloading free music?
I feel the RIAA is what is screwing up music today. As Moby says, “We will all look back in shame at a time when eleven year old girls decide what is music”. Music today is too much marketing and not enough substance. If it came down to the world coming to and end unless Brittney Spears could sing a song, I’ll be kissing my ass goodbye. I mean really, there is so much formula out there today that there is no room for a decent band to break in. THAT is why P2P and downloading of free music will succeed. Check out what Moby thinks about computers and music here and here.
