kudzurunner
2510 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:31 AM
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There's a very brief item in Harp-L, dated June 1: according to Jason's booking agent, all of Jason's current gigs with Approved By Snakes have been canceled.
Does anybody have more on this? Jason?
Edited to add: Here's the item URL:
http://groups.google.com/group/harp-l/browse_thread/thread/e7d0205e8a594890/6d5155818421b0b3?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=%22jason+ricci%22+%22approved+by+snakes%22#6d5155818421b0b3
Last Edited by on Jun 03, 2011 7:35 AM
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tmf714
658 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:39 AM
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It's fairly self explanatory-
Although I'm no longer officially volunteering for Jason, I still get some tour updates, and this one seemed worth passing along in case anyone was planning to travel for a show. I just got word from Jason's booking agent that all of his previously scheduled gigs with Approved By Snakes have been canceled. I don't have any further details right now, but hopefully he is well.
Jonathan Metts
Last Edited by on Jun 03, 2011 7:41 AM
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BAG
62 posts
Jun 03, 2011
3:24 PM
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He mentioned at one of his breakout sessions that he is getting married in June "to a girl" and I think he said in June. Hope he is well and enjoying a honeymoon in Europe.
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Moon Cat
17 posts
Jun 03, 2011
6:12 PM
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Hello everyone. I so, so enjoyed the Hill Country Harmonica Jam that I have decided to quit touring, forsake the stress of three others financial and emotional welfare(Bass, Drums, Guitar,) and the dealings with reptilian entities like booking agents, managers and record labels (present company excluded). I have never seen a dime or one piece of paper containing any accounting from Delta Groove, I'm not bitter anymore just OUT. I'm giving lessons to a young man who is in school to be a Music Business attorney, Should he pass the bar before the statue of limitations runs out he has agreed to take my case pro bono and sue the label for any moneys obtained by them via digital down loads, sales online (anywhere), or Borders, Barns and Noble etc... I never recieved a penny from any of these or even any accounting for anything including of course royalties, and even Mechanical royalties. 100% commissions were obtained by my former agency (Intrepid) and never returned. I could go on and on and I have plenty of proof/evidence etc.... that I have held onto in silence and peace despite the urging of many to start a lawsuit. Not my style.
After 11 years, 300 dates a years, record deals etc I just want to chill and have real meaningful relationships, time at home, and connections with my new beloved community here in Mid City NOLA. I'm selling a bunch of stuff getting off the road and starting a full time skype teaching/teaching career. I will still do dates when they are right and the band can afford to actually get paid. I owe everything to the harmonica community. My next post will be my last "sale" post here and I appeciate Adams tolerance of my business here, as well as the patience of my customers who have to wait for my lazy ass to mail/ fix orders. Thank you again and see you all soon in a more sober, cerebrel, academic, philosphical enviroment. New Teaching website coming soon. I'm getting a Mac on Weds, and will be back online minus face book and other social networking services I do not so much care for. Thanks Adam and everyone here!
Love
Jason Ricci
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littleeasy
46 posts
Jun 03, 2011
6:19 PM
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Jason, wow, i guess this music industry can suck! I hope you do well and get back on your feet. Thanx for taking the time and sharing your knowledge and skill with us at HCH. wish you the best of luck.
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waltertore
1386 posts
Jun 03, 2011
6:41 PM
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Jason: I have followed your story for a couple of years. I respect you. I found the same issues you have cited in your public posts about the music industry. I did it for 20 years before I found another way to do life. In retrospect, I now realize music is meant to be an easy thing, void of finance. It is about expressing what is in you, and not about the ongoing stressful thing that will become "music" if you are finacially struggling with it. Music knows nothing of money, time, commitments, contracts. The music business is all about these things. I realized I am a musician, not a music businessman. It is a peaceful life now that I count not one thought of worry about making money with it.
You are taking a healthy approach to life by backing off and letting a new journey unfold. Most guys that do the road full time on bare bones budgets die quick, and or go mental. I found a passion working with special needs students and it inspired me to go to college back in the early 90's to get my special education credential. Now I have 17 years in. In 6 years I can retire at $2,500/month. Teaching has enabled me to take my music to the dream I originally had with it- to play for as long or short as it feels good. there was no dream of compromise, business, committment. Just music for the joy of music-free thoughts, feelings, no obligations. I am back to this point and living in comfort with a full studio that inspires me to play as many or more hours as I did when doing it full time. Now I sleep in my own bed, don't say goodbye to my wife and pets for months on end, have health insurance, eat good, and only take meaningfull gigs, when they come to me. There is a book in the works by an author from england and just the other day I hooked up with a filmaker who has already started a documentary on spontobeat. Learning to record my music, playing music, the book, and documentary, give me more musical joys than doing 200 dates a year around the world on a peanut butter and jelly budget. I miss the good people that came out and the good gigs, but the entire package got old. I will never forget hitting 40 and my backup band were in their 50's. They were full timers with pasts that were as big as it gets. They were in bad health, failing spirit, and felt trapped in the lifestyle. That had a big impact on me. I also remember sonny rhodes. I played in his band for years and I saw him a few years ago. He just kept saying he couldn't believe I was a teacher and he wished he had made some sort of career for himself. I still wonder how those old blues guys did it night after night on a crap everything budget. Anyway, the moral of the story I am learning is- do what is exciting and let go of the stuff that isn't. the universe will make it all work! I hope someday I get to shake your hand. Besides myself, you are the only other pro musician I have come across that is completley honest with sharing the inner realities of the business of playing music for a living. Keep up the good journey! Walter
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walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year.
" life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
2,800+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Jun 03, 2011 7:07 PM
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NiteCrawler .
132 posts
Jun 03, 2011
6:54 PM
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Jason,I wish you nothing but the best in your future endeavours,as long as you are happy,satisfied and have peace of mind is all that matters.All of the rumours,gossip and the rest of the BS that goes on with it can take a back seat to What Your Life is all about.I respect your honesty and know that once you get through this time you will be back and better than ever.As a player, lurker and fan I appreciate what you give to the harp world,lessons,advise,great overall karma and Kick Ass Harpin,etc..Do whats best for you,and thats whats the most important thing.HarpSpeed,NiteCrawler PS,if the rumour is true I wish you and your future bride All The Best, with your new life together.(and as far as the comment" to a girl" goes Who Gives A Shit, talk about B.S.)
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mcblues
27 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:12 PM
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"He who knows when to stop is preserved from peril,only thus can you endure long." Lao-tzu
I find lately that stopping a baby from crying or playing Happy Birthday for some unknown person at a restaurant celebration has become Much more rewarding than getting ripped off and B.S'd by the 2 record labels and producers, I've worked with so far... Working with (mis)managers and booking agents that rip you off, and producers that rip you off, and mis-lead you... And when you book yourself, there's club owners/managers who ego trip and don't book after countless calls to no avail.
**You Can do the research and collect your money.
I did it...It'll take awhile but you Will collect. Don't let an ex-con scam artist rip you off (no names mentioned)
I've been laying Real low for the last year, after a Real shty Euro tour... I feel ya man.
"I didn't make a Million dollars but I had a Million dollars worth of fun!"
Stay Strong, Live Long time!!
Last Edited by on Jun 03, 2011 7:38 PM
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Harp2swing
14 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:40 PM
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Will look forward to those skype lessons up and running.
There's some stuff you do I need to get a handle on!
Cheers from downunder.
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AV8R
146 posts
Jun 03, 2011
7:59 PM
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Now I'm really glad I made it to HCHII. Good luck Jason, hope to see you up and running on Skype soon.
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omaha
26 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:12 PM
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Jason man i wish you all the best. Your playing at HCH was inspired and deeply emotional. Your teaching was the best. I found myself choosing to go to your sessions even though I thought the subject matter would be too simplistic because I knew you would bring something special to it. You did not disappoint. Thanks for putting it out there. Your playing and teaching really made a big impact on the HCH event. I hope you are able to make it next year. Mazel Tov! to you and yours on your upcoming nuptuals.
PS - I recorded your teaching sessions let me know if you would like a copy.
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jawbone
439 posts
Jun 03, 2011
8:33 PM
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Hope everything works out for ya!! It can seem like a mean ol' world sometimes!
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If it ain't got harp - it ain't really blues!!!!
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kudzurunner
2512 posts
Jun 03, 2011
9:29 PM
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Jason:
Thanks for posting, thanks for doing a terrific job at Hill Country Harmonica--we're tabulating the response surveys now, you're killing 'em all--and thanks for continuing to inspire the harp world.
Jeff Silverman and I haven't consulted on this, but as far as I'm concerned, you have an ANNUAL invite to HCH. You are always welcome in North Mississippi.
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timeistight
55 posts
Jun 03, 2011
10:09 PM
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Glad to hear it was something good. Good luck on your new endeavors. Sign me up for a Skype lesson.
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Chickenthief
109 posts
Jun 03, 2011
10:58 PM
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Right on time Jason, be happy, live big.
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Greg Heumann
1145 posts
Jun 03, 2011
11:27 PM
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Jason - sorry I missed you at HCH II - but glad to hear of your decision. You'll always have my support.
Cheers
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/Greg
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millermorari
3 posts
Jun 03, 2011
11:37 PM
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Jason, I wish u all the best.
At the same time I am so happy to have the opportunity to say to u that I really love your music, I´m kind of sad because I know I will never have the chance to see one of your live gig.
Thanks for your songs, you are one of my idols.
Best regards from BRAZIL !
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geordiebluesman
401 posts
Jun 04, 2011
2:36 AM
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Hey Jason, wise move my man!, there has never been a better time to focus your skills and knowlege on the teaching side of the coin rather than the performing side.
I am sure that Adam is reaping greater financial rewards now than he ever did before and he has done that in an open fair and generous way, maybe thats what they call Karma,you have the skills and ability to have it all, happiness, family, a business, and true job satisfaction i wish you well.
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mdazc
25 posts
Jun 04, 2011
4:14 AM
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Jason, I'm glad I got to see you perform 3 times here in Mi. Maybe now you'll have some time to write for your blogspot. I really enjoyed your writings. It's been 2 years since you've written anything new, but I still check periodically for updates. I wish you the best of luck in all your endeavors.
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Matt in Michigan.
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harpdude61
851 posts
Jun 04, 2011
4:50 AM
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Hi Jason,
HCH II was the 4th time we crossed pathes. When you sat down and got me started 4 years ago in Knoxville, I had no idea how what a big part of my life the harmonica and blues music would become.
You were always kind and generous with your time and your performances were fantastic.
Sign me up for the SKYPE lessons. I hope teaching part time becomes a profitable and rewarding venture for you and if you gig locally that adds another reason to visit the wonderful city of New Orleans. You also have an awesome group of harmonica players close by. Helluva nice bunch.
It was great to be in your classes and hear you perform at HCH. You blew the roof off the joint!
I wish you nothing but happiness.
Duane
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Diggsblues
786 posts
Jun 04, 2011
5:21 AM
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Good luck Jason. The business will eat you up if you
let it. A lot of musician I know actually make a living teaching and doing local gigs running jams on off gig nights. It seems the only tours that are worth doing are when you work for someone pretty big so you make a decent wage with housing thrown in and if your
lucky food to.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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apskarp
475 posts
Jun 04, 2011
6:04 AM
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Sounds like a healthy decision. And it's also good news that you are starting the skype lessons - it's the only possibility for a Finnish guy to get a change for lessons from a pro like you.. :)
Wish you good luck!
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Youtube
Hoodoo Sauna
Blog
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Stevelegh
229 posts
Jun 04, 2011
6:43 AM
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Good move. A guy with your gifts can make plenty. I don't think people fully appreciate your second greatest gift of communication. Your YouTube videos are, like Adam's, very accessible and enjoyable. Being able to communicate about harp in the way you do brings a whole world to your feet. Sessions, lessons, consulting, endorsements, appearances, R&D. I'm sure you know all this, have been down some of those roads (if not all).
Great news about the wedding. Congratulations to you both!
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barbequebob
1650 posts
Jun 04, 2011
6:57 AM
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Jason, I can more than sympathize with you on that. The business of music is a real bitch and just dealing with other musicians alone is one of the biggest freaking headaches in the world, let alone everything else that's involved and you are always on the job 24/7/365 and there's no such thing as a day off when you're in the business. Most people have no clue of what really goes on in the business side of music at all.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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toxic_tone
159 posts
Jun 04, 2011
7:19 AM
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Jason, i would love to take lessons from you. sorry to hear of the problems. but things always happend for a reason. you will get to where you want to get i know it.
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Shredder
272 posts
Jun 04, 2011
7:57 AM
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Jason, best wishes to you I hope you find the peace your looking for. Thanks again for the youtube videos especially on 3rd pos. and chromatic blues. I'm glad I got to thank you in person at HCH2. You were the main reason for me going back this year. It was cool to see you in the pizza Hut at Holly Springs and get the chance to give you a ride back to the hotel, remenber "no delivery" LOA!
Hang in there dude, Mike
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Littoral
294 posts
Jun 04, 2011
8:16 AM
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Good Move. Your music skills will serve well to generate the business to make a site successful.
You can count on my participation.
Note, teaching is also a serious skill. You
have already demonstrated some innate ability
on youtube (thanks!) and at HCH. Further developing your skills teaching can be a
new challenge -and also a lot of fun.
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nacoran
4166 posts
Jun 04, 2011
9:35 AM
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Best wishes! It was your playing, sounding like a lead guitar, that made me decide I actually wanted to play harmonica in a band instead of just sitting around the apartment playing.
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
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Dog Face
110 posts
Jun 04, 2011
11:30 AM
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Jason, good for you man. I think you're making a really good move. I know how it is to say I'm not bitter anymore, I'm just out. Anyone can survive but, with that weight off of your shoulders you can finally thrive. Live your life man. Good luck, well wishes, and mad respect.
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Be safe, keep the faith, and don't let em tearrrrrr ya down.
Last Edited by on Jun 04, 2011 11:31 AM
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Blind Leroy
22 posts
Jun 04, 2011
6:55 PM
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It's a tough deal in today's economy trying to make a successful living playing blues and keeping a road band paid and together. I've heard all the horror stories, etc. I guess it all comes down to deciding what really makes you happy in life and following that course. Just make sure you don't have regrets about your decision 20-25 yrs. down the road.
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12gagedan
43 posts
Jun 06, 2011
3:46 PM
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It's funny, but since seeing all the harp sales and such, I was thinking, "why doesn't jason make some $ on skype?" (If I could just come up with some of my million-dollar ideas FIRST. . .)
J, are you registered for wedding gifts? Married folk need plates 'n shit. (7 years married. . . We've used the china maybe 5 times. . .) ha
p.s. sign me up for the skype.
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Gnarly
42 posts
Jun 06, 2011
5:57 PM
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@12gagedan Like you need lessons 8)
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Big Al
2 posts
Jun 07, 2011
10:58 AM
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Jason...
Glad to see that you are cutting back and going a different direction. Looking forward to seeing you a happier person. Congratulations on your marriage!
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Brendan Power
136 posts
Jun 07, 2011
1:26 PM
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After 30 years of making a living from the harmonica in one way or another, I can sadly endorse Jason's complaints about the music industry. I've been with several record labels in that time and only one has fulfilled its commitments when it comes to regular accounting and paying royalties: Candyrat Records of Milwaukee (check them out on YouTube, they have a big presence there.)
But no matter how good the record company, relying on albums and live gigs to make a living is tough. From my experience (and what I've observed), as a pro harp player you need to have several income streams - some of them not dependent on the whims of others but simply between you and the people who dig what you do. Thankfully, with the internet, that connection can be worldwide now.
Jason, I think you're right to take charge of your own earnings in a a solo, home-based way. You have such huge respect as a player and communicator, I'm sure teaching via Skype and selling instructional material will reward you financially, and in many other ways. The transactions are clear cut and immediate - very different to waiting for royalties etc!
Another good thing is that online teaching work is available whenever YOU choose to do it, and it doesn't interfere with gigging when the conditions are right. I recommend you making some instructional books/DVDs too, I'm sure they'll sell really well.
All the best with your new life and direction! Hope to catch up with you in New Orleans sometime. Brendan
Last Edited by on Jun 07, 2011 1:29 PM
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145nE
41 posts
Jun 07, 2011
2:22 PM
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Jason, You are a true artist and your music will be followed way into the future. It is transcendental to the moment and thanks for taking us there with you. Hope you will post the names of any local clubs you will be playing in so we can see you again in NOLA.
Last Edited by on Jun 07, 2011 2:22 PM
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12gagedan
46 posts
Jun 07, 2011
2:56 PM
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J,
My friend Brian runs a site called "the Virtual Woodshed". I'm not sure if he's going to expand to harmonica, but I do know that he's a great, fair person who's keenly OCD when it comes to video/audio production. I'm sure you'll get several offers to collaborate with top harmonica teaching sites. I just wanted to throw this out for thought. You guys might find synergy.
I'm sure I speak for many, many harp players and fans alike, when I say that I'd be happy to be a customer of whatever you're selling.
d.g.
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bluemoose
565 posts
Jun 07, 2011
4:40 PM
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Newman was in Hombre (1967), Wayne was in Hondo (1953)
(neither played harp :)
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
Last Edited by on Jun 07, 2011 4:40 PM
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eharp
1321 posts
Jun 07, 2011
6:12 PM
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my bad.
i was wondering when the heck newman would have said that.
perhaps it would have been after, "even if you tie me, you're dead."
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CarolynViolin
47 posts
Jun 07, 2011
9:41 PM
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Jason, My goodness! I am so sorry that you've been screwed so much by agents and managers and record labels. The music business can be so cruel, and we musicians sometimes have to tolerate a lot of crap. You did not deserve this at all. I wish you all the luck and success in the world with your teaching career. Teaching others and sharing your expertise with them is bound to be enormously rewarding. I'm please to hear that you will continue to do club dates when everything works out right. One time you played a gig in NYC in the Village. Can't remember which venue it was offhand, but I missed your concert, and I've regretted it. So I hope you will be in NYC again because I would like to get to a concert. Meanwhile, have loads of fun with the teaching!!! Carolyn
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barbequebob
1656 posts
Jun 08, 2011
7:49 AM
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One thing many musicians never do is to learn the business end of the music business and it's never pretty and being a bandleader is not for the weak and it is a BITCH. Many of the old blues guys knew they weren't gonna make hardly anything on their recordings, but used it as a way to get more gigs as well as better paying gigs. Most albums don't make squat until you sell a minimum of 100K-250K copies and there's so much about the business most people know next to nothing about. When Patti Smyth made her platinum LP in the 80's, she only got $3000 from it and there's a whole bunch of stuff that goes with it.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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barbequebob
1657 posts
Jun 08, 2011
7:53 AM
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One thing many musicians never do is to learn the business end of the music business and it's never pretty and being a bandleader is not for the weak and it is a BITCH. Many of the old blues guys knew they weren't gonna make hardly anything on their recordings, but used it as a way to get more gigs as well as better paying gigs. Most albums don't make squat until you sell a minimum of 100K-250K copies and there's so much about the business most people know next to nothing about. When Patti Smyth made her platinum LP in the 80's, she only got $3000 from it and there's a whole bunch of stuff that goes with it.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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crawfishdave
12 posts
Jun 08, 2011
9:40 AM
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Best wishes to you, Jason.
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HarpNinja
1468 posts
Jun 08, 2011
1:19 PM
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Jason,
Best wishes, of course, first and foremost. Secondly, consider the economic impact of creating some sort of teaching video. You know, something like YouTube but at a cost for download/disc.
I think you could make some solid coin marketing towards playing rock music...even if it evolved from blues to straight rock. I've planned an eBook for years without the time to get it done (and have the help of several McNally-Smith and Berklee grads). I think you'd be able to really kill that stuff in a way that the harmonica public would appreciate.
Your teaching style is wonderful and something I hope you make a ton of dough off of!
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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bluemoose
567 posts
Jun 08, 2011
2:41 PM
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And have lots of foxes, ferrets and cats in 'em! :)
Well...maybe go easy on the foxes.....
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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Brendan Power
138 posts
Jun 09, 2011
5:19 PM
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Thanks Jason, you're too kind. It's possible that I may occasionally rock in a certain ironically-repressed Kiwi/English kind of way - but you are veritably volcanic! My rock is Brighton, yours is molten.
I think we members of MBH should start a movement to have you beatified as the first Patron Saint of the Harmonica: St. Jason of Noo'Orleans!
You've soared and suffered more than most of us, that's what saints traditionally do. I'm sure Aleister Crowley would approve - in an ironic English kind of way :)
T.S Eliot said "The artist is the antennae of the race"; that describes you well. You're a touchstone of this era in Harmonica Evolution. We, the harmonica devotees, need you and should honour you accordingly; sainthood seems entirely appropriate.
There will have to be some good perks to the job of course. A title is meaningless unless it conveys some clear rewards. I guess they'd be negotiable.
Anyone want to join the movement? Or would that be flouting the MBH religious ban? BP
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KingoBad
758 posts
Jun 09, 2011
5:38 PM
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Jason,
I would second and even third Brendan's idea of instructional videos. You have a gift for teaching, not only the practical, but the theoretical and can give a great, big picture. I was in your last class of the day at HCH2 and was sad that I had not done more of them. You are very entertaining and accessible in your presentation. You could also do this by yourself and have low production costs. Just one more way you can get the money directly to you and not through a middle man. I'm sure you could at least rake in the money if you put something together for HCH3. If you could piggyback on someone else's commercial website for a while, you could get enough cash to get the ball rolling. Just an idea. I hope you make it big outside the bloodsuckers of life.
Best of luck to you Jason!
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Danny
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KingoBad
759 posts
Jun 09, 2011
5:43 PM
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Brendan,
I think you have to be dead to be beatified... I don't think Jason would like that...
On the other hand, we are harp players and can do whatever the hell we want...
And it IS New Orleans.... So would it be St. Ricci ot St. MoonCat?
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Danny
Last Edited by on Jun 09, 2011 5:45 PM
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Brendan Power
139 posts
Jun 09, 2011
5:48 PM
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We have living legends, why not living saints? So much more fun than dead ones.
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KingoBad
760 posts
Jun 09, 2011
6:42 PM
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Agreed.
I could go for St. Ricci, but I think Rev. Moon Cat Ricci patron Harmonica Saint of New Orleans sounds nice too...
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Danny
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