howldog wrote:
> On Mon, 21 Feb 2005 10:31:14 -0600, _TR_ 
> wrote:
>
>
> >
> >Yet you remain a feminist.  This is a good indication that you will
learn
> >NOTHING about communicating with men OR even communicating with
women who
> >don't share your cult's rituals and dogma.
>
>
>
> well we dont know that she has announced to her bandmates that she is
> a feminist. I mean, lots of those old blooooz tunes arent exactly
> about celebrating diversity or women-first-er-isms.

It hasn't come up in conversation yet, but then again, we usually talk
about music, not ideology. Though I'm sure they - being very
intelligent men - probably can guess from the interactions we have, the
relationship they see between me and my husband, and some of the songs
I've introduced to the band.

> I cant exactly see her preaching about lack of women's rights in the
> middle of Willie Dixons Hoochie Coochie Mama or something.

If it was an appropriate venue to preach, and preaching was something I
wanted to do, I might. But we play at parties and smoky bars, where
preaching isn't really encouraged - and that's just fine with me. When
I sing songs about strong women (like songs by Marcia Ball and Lucinda
Williams and Lou Ann Barton) the women love the lyrics. When I sing
songs about sex, the men love the lyrics. So everyone's happy.

> Blues is predominantly a man's music world, with some famous female
> singers, the most famous of whom, usually got fuct up and slept
around
> as "bad" as the guys in the band did. Janis Joplin for example. True,
> some women are finally making names for themselves as blues musicians
> instead of just singers, Susan Tedeschi, Debbie Davies etc

Yes, I'm quite aware I'm a woman in a man's world. Doesn't bother me
any, I enjoy the men I make music with, and so far they seem to be
tolerating me just fine. I believe they may even enjoy my company,
shocking as that might seem.

Interesting double standard as far as getting fucked up and sleeping
around. Robert Johnson was a genius. As soon as he got into town, he'd
find the ugliest or oldest woman to take care of him while he did his
playing and playing around. Had nothing to do with his musical ability
or his validity as a musician. (And no, I'm not comparing myself to
Robert Johnson, don't worry.) But then, he's a guy, and I'm inferring
from your comment that it's not quite so shocking if a man indulges in
that kind of behavior.

> The point is, a blues band with all men is probably not a great place
> to take a stand for feminism.

Actually, it's probably a fine place, if taking a stand for feminism
was something that occupied my every waking thought. But at practice or
when we're playing out, or trading band emails back and forth, it just
doesn't seem necessary or appropriate to bring it up, which is fine
with me.

> >>  And as far as singing goes, I
> >> _know_ I'm a singer,
> >
> >That's irrelevant.  Thousands of no-talent fools JUST KNOW they can
sing.
> >You have no basis to distinguish yourself from Yoko Ono.

I am quite able to distinguish myself from anyone I choose, thank you.
If I was singing all by myself on some street corner, and no one
stopped to listen, I might consider myself a no-talent fool. I do have
some talent, however, judging from the response I get, both from the
guys in the band and the people who come out to hear us play.

> we dont know that she cant sing either. BUT it is definitely a
> stereotype, chick singer who cant play an instrument at all,
boyfriend
> or husband in the band.

The stereotype certainly exists. So what?

> >> The band's doing just fine, even with my presence.
> >
> >Then they must be masterful musicians to be able to compensate for
your
> >self indulgences.

They are very masterful musicians. We have two guitarists who switch
off on lead and bass, with very different styles, a fine harp player,
an awesome drummer (but I'm slightly biased), a frontman who's funny as
hell and has great rapport with the crowd, and me. We do just fine. And
a guy who comes in to play keys now and then. The band is probably the
most exciting and fulfilling thing I've ever been involved in, next to
my marriage and my children.

As far as self-indulgence goes, it's not limited to women. The guys can
be divas, too, and we all call each other on our shit, equally. No one
seems to be afraid to hurt my delicate feminine feelings. I haven't
seen much evidence of chivalry, except I know sometimes they save the
_really_ filthy jokes for when I'm out on a break, which is quite
sensitive of them.

> I wonder if she helps with the load in and load out of equipment.

I help my husband set up and tear down his kit, the frontman & harp
player handle the PA, and the guitarists take care of their own stuff.
But we're building a studio in our garage, so there won't be quite so
much of that to do, except when we're playing out, of course.



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