Cristal Lecter
131 posts
Oct 30, 2011
7:39 PM
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To be completely honest I still don't know how and what to answer to that guy...The only thing I know is that I've chocked a little while reading him...I know what he says may not be relevant at all, still it pays me back from the people who hate me
Dear Christelle Berthon,
For a long time I have been following your career on YouTube, and you rarely fail to stun me with the emotion and--if it's the right word--the meaning you manage to draw out of your harmonica. I am awestruck by your talent. I am thoroughly stepped in the history of harmonica playing throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, and it would not be difficult for me to assign you pride of place among the acknowledged giants of this instrument. In a better world, with better musical proprieties, I have no doubt but that you would achieve the sort of fame Little Watler or Sonny Boy Williamson had in a different era. There's no question. They were brilliant in their own right surely, but not virtuoso players. You are.
On my living room wall I have photographs and framed photographs of musicians whose work I hold in extremely high regard, such as Little Walter, James Gotton, J. J. Milteau, and Billy Branch. I really think you deserve a place on my wall, and I was wondering if you'd possibly sell me a singled photograph or poster of yourself. I'd pay you whatever you thought was reasonable.
In any case, please permit me to express my admiration for your considerable musical genus.
Best Wishes,
Ketih Jones
Rochester NY
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
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Steamrollin Stan
148 posts
Oct 30, 2011
7:53 PM
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Well he wants to pay for it so sell him a picture, i dunno who hates you but i've always thought that your a talented person. Keep on harpin!!!
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arzajac
677 posts
Oct 30, 2011
7:55 PM
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That's so nice!
It's hard to put yourself out there and express something like that to someone you admire. It's great that he was able to express himself to you. What do you answer other than "Thank you"?
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Joe_L
1580 posts
Oct 30, 2011
8:25 PM
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Christelle,
There are always going to be people that don't dig the things a person does. Dont take it personally. Ignore them. Keep doing your thing.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Jimi harp boy Buoy
3 posts
Oct 30, 2011
8:49 PM
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This is my first time hearing you I am blown away with your stile you are great and I hope you keep posting your wonderful music thank you so much
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jdblues
17 posts
Oct 30, 2011
9:36 PM
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I hope you send him (for free) a signed photograph!
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Aussiesucker
938 posts
Oct 30, 2011
10:14 PM
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Christelle> great letter. Couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed as I also am often blown away by your playing. Don't know why people would hate you as it's certainly not your playing that would be upsetting them unless they are jealous of your playing. I don't know you, but what I do know is that you are a fantastic harmonica player. You can't be that bad as a person as you chose to live in a great country where hopefully most people would be welcoming you.
I would be sending the guy a free signed photo and a simple thank you.
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HARPOLDIE’S YOUTUBE
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Rick Shanks
134 posts
Oct 30, 2011
10:21 PM
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Be encouraged Christelle - I too agree, you are one of the greats. Good to see you posting again. 8)
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KiwiRick
http://www.richardshanksart.com
Last Edited by on Oct 30, 2011 11:17 PM
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smwoerner
4 posts
Oct 30, 2011
10:33 PM
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Christelle,
It’s always nice when someone makes you’re day. You deserve the complement as your playing has continued to improve and you continue to challenge yourself and the way harmonica music is presented.
In all of our lives we have people that love us and hate us, that think we’re geniuses and that think we’re idiots, and that care and that don’t care. I’ve given up trying to determine which ones were right because at one point they probably all were. I hope I've learned from their insight.
Create and play for yourself and you’ll always make the right music. Allows others to guide you along the way but, don’t lose sight of your path while seeking their approval. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
Travel Well,
Scott
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BronzeWailer
304 posts
Oct 30, 2011
10:37 PM
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You certainly have 'it' Christelle. I am only surprised you don't get more letters like that. I count myself lucky to have heard you play live as well as seeing your vids. Anyone who takes more than one second to listen to you play is blown away. Even those who know nothing about harmonica just go "Wow! Who is she and where did she come from?"
Let the haters hate. Don't give them any more time than they deserve, which is none at all.
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Cristal Lecter
132 posts
Oct 30, 2011
11:42 PM
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This is what I've answered to Keith
Dear Keith,
To be completely honest I still don't know how to answer to you....
What you've put in your extraordinary letter made me feel embarrassed...The name that you've mentioned are giants where I think I'm just a normal human being...These musicians have/had a terrific career and recordings, and for the moment I've none of them. This is why I feel so puzzled and yes embarrassed.
Having said that I feel extremely moved by what you've wrote, and I'm still very touched as I'm writing these lines.
So yes of course I accept to send you an autographed picture of me, this one is joined with this email.
All that to say THANK YOU Keith and I wish you all the best and may be one day we'll meet each other
Very warm regards
Christelle
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Never try to be as good as someone else, succeed to be the best player you can be!
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nacoran
4831 posts
Oct 30, 2011
11:51 PM
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That letter makes me smile. You deserve it. You are a great player. :)
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Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
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Steamrollin Stan
149 posts
Oct 31, 2011
12:50 AM
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Are you in OZ to stay or just visa? would be great to watch you perform at a jam somewhere. Whatchya's thinks Aussies???
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jiceblues
23 posts
Oct 31, 2011
2:37 AM
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Well , i think KEITH is in love with you ( no , i'm joking) Go on CHRISTELLE , you are a great player !
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waltertore
1600 posts
Oct 31, 2011
3:23 AM
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Christelle: I am glad you got that letter! We live in an age where once one posts their music, it is open game for a worldwide audience. When I was your age, there was no internet. One played gigs live and the audience in front of you was your worldwide audience. Only the top of the tops got record deals, and on top of that only the tops of that group got any commercial radio airplay. College radio and public radio stations were the only ones that featured a blues show once a week at best. Again the competition to get a song played was beyond what one can imagine today. There was no mtv, or videos yet either.
If I was your age today, I would probably react much in the same ways I have seen you react to negative comments on your music. It is part of a true artist maturing. One has no control over their insecurities, fears, and damage, in their souls when they are pouring their art out with no walls between themself and the world. In the long run we all know to let it roll right off your back but what most people don't realize is a true artist has no division between their art and themself.
Most players compartimentalize thier music from their their person. It is like a character they play and thus they never really put themself out there enough to really be hurt and if they are they can refer it to the character and not react too emotionally. They don't even realize it most of the time and will get confused when someone like you reacts like you do. It has taken me about 50 years to let the negatives roll off my back. It still triggers me but I am able to take a breath and let it go right by. I feel sorry for these type of people. They must lead sad,afraid, and lonesome lives to spew such negative juice.
Keep doing what you do. You are growing up in an age that most older artists really have no clue to because we have passed through the reactive phase (for the most part). Eventually, if one works through their baggage, their music will speak for itself and there is no need to react to the negatives. A true artist creates for themself and what the world thinks is not really in the equation but an afterthought. I am on the road to this spot and I hope you are too. being thankful for what one has and for the little extras like the letter you received is the final goal! 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 Oct 31, 2011 3:30 AM
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Sarge
78 posts
Oct 31, 2011
7:05 AM
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I want a signed photograph of Walter Tore!!!!
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
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Diggsblues
1077 posts
Oct 31, 2011
7:43 AM
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This could be the beginning of something big go for it.
Marketing could be the next level of income. T shirts, mugs
I think hohner can make personalized harp covers with your signature. Some blues clubs sell harps with their names on them. You can also monetize your youtube.
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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waltertore
1601 posts
Oct 31, 2011
8:45 AM
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I will trade you Sarge! Sarge plays the real deal old timey harp stuff. 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
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gene
966 posts
Oct 31, 2011
11:12 AM
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Christelle,
I don't know if this post is on topic or not. but
Sometimes you piss me off. I don't get mad at YOU...I just get mad. I want to scream to you, "STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP!!!"
A million people love you, a few don't. What's wrong with that?! Do you seriously expect EVERYBODY on the planet to love you? It ain't gonna happen. Name one person that EVERYBODY loves...Just one...C'mon, I'm waiting.....
The emotion pours out of your harmonica and touches everybody (except those few). You're a pleasure to listen to. You're very talented. Don't you know that? How can you not know that? You don't deserve the beatings you give yourself. Now, STOP IT.
Those few that don't like you: So what? Let 'em go. You're not playing for them. You're playing for the rest of us. Those few can grumble all they want....They're not hurting you or us. They're just missing out. Their choice. Let 'em go.
Last Edited by on Oct 31, 2011 11:12 AM
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jbone
676 posts
Oct 31, 2011
8:07 PM
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wow, that is some very fine validation of your hard work Christelle! i hope you can accept it in a spirit of gratitude and even pride. your hard work shows in your videos.
as for those who have been mean or cruel to you- always remember, bad press is good press!! meaning: if they are talking about you, someone will be curious about what all the fuss is, and "discover" you on youtube, or at a show, or wherever.
hearing of people who don't care for what i do is not comfortable but i never expected to reach everyone the same way. there are those who will not or can not like what i do. it's raw and real and rarely the same thing twice.
our cd, which is all original songs and arrangements, has been sent to the Blues foundation, to compete this year for best self-produced cd. quite an honor and one we did not expect or ask for, but have graciously accepted all the same. our local blues community has given a real vote of confidence to us and this feels really great. our hard work and creative labors are recognized and that means so much to us. we were on local blues radio and had a cd release party thanks to the blues society and a really nice dj.
we never expected to come even this far. we are closer to retirement age than most people realize so it's amazing to us, that we can even do this music thing, but also that we've gotten some recognition from our peers. if this is all we get, it's still enough.
i hope you carry on with your journey in music wherever it may lead. if you take a long view, and follow your heart in the music, you will be satisfied.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
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easyreeder
15 posts
Oct 31, 2011
8:43 PM
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Christelle, you play beautifully. Focus on those who are capable of appreciating that and ignore the rest. When I listen to Little Walter, SBW, etc, I often ask "How do they think that stuff up?". I often ask the same question when I hear you play. Please keep it up.
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groyster1
1537 posts
Oct 31, 2011
10:50 PM
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@Christelle
I dont know how anybody could hate someone they dont know and has never done anything to them-its obvious you are not hated by this forum and are held in high regard - you play great and proof to me that lip pursers can be as proficient players as anyone
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9000
92 posts
Nov 01, 2011
9:52 AM
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@ Christelle
Just do your thing. There will never be another Christelle. Don't let the negativity alter your course. I love your music.
All the best,
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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Stevelegh
328 posts
Nov 01, 2011
2:15 PM
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Christelle,
What a lovely letter to receive. But it is well deserved. You are awesome.
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Cristal Lecter
222 posts
Dec 19, 2011
4:18 PM
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To close that subject this is the email I've received an hour ago....I'm overwhelmed to see myself with all these giants of the music (including JJ Milteau...AND MUDDY WATERS...There's something wrong here)
"Hello, Christelle!
You had asked to see a picture of my wall with your picture in the midst of the pantheon. Sorry it took so long for me to get around to sending it to you, but our last communication took place when I was in the boondocks and not within reach of the said wall. (I live in Rochester to work, but go out to the country to live, where my girlfriend and I have a small cabin in a large forest.)
Anyway, now I'm in my city residence, and that's where the wall in question is—so, voilà.
It's not a great picture, but I imagine you can recognize all the people.
Finally: The reason I have such high regard for you, Christelle, is because you're a virtuosa musician. There are many great harmonica players, surely, but practically nobody who can play as brilliantly as you do in such a broad spectrum of genres. That's what makes you stand out so much. If the planet had room for only one harmonica player, it just might have to be you.
Anyway. I'll look forward to seeing your videos on YouTube, as always. And perhaps you'll really be able to release that CD one day and—even better—embark on a world tour with a couple of performance dates somewhere in my vicinity.
In friendship and admiration,
Keith"
_________________________________________
Daughter of Hannibal Lecter, also known as "Christelle Berthon"
Last Edited by on Dec 19, 2011 4:21 PM
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lor
55 posts
Dec 19, 2011
7:17 PM
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Cher Mademoiselle Berthon,
Did you ever go into a restaurant, bistro or bar that had a signed photo of Yehudi Menuhin, or Clark Gable, or Vaslav Nijinski, or Juliette Binoche, or Marcel Marceau, or Little Walter, or anyone you truly admire, nailed to the wall above your table, and felt somehow positively reinforced for having made such a virtual connection?
Someday your signed photo on a wall somewhere will bestow a similar joy to many an admirer.
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Diggsblues
1120 posts
Dec 20, 2011
9:38 AM
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I have an autographed picture of Chamber Huang.
I used to autograph kids programs when I did Big River.
When I was warming up in the pit they used say sounds like music from Roseanne LOL
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Emile "Diggs" D'Amico a Legend In His Own Mind
How you doin'
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