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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Persona, Schitck, Stage Name..
Persona, Schitck, Stage Name..
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HarpNinja
2275 posts
Mar 21, 2012
8:20 AM
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I don't want to say too much, but in order to pursue a local solo career, it would be advantageous to not call too much attention to my real name. I never really worried about this in the past as 1.) I had nothing to be ashamed of as it pertained to the real world 2.) it wasn't going to interfere with my day job and 3.) I played under band names and rarely around my home town.
Well, I am in a situation now where, in terms of my day job, I'd like there to be more separation. I would also like to try and do solo work without it referring back to my given name.
Problem one is I don't really want to use a fake stage name like Rusty Shakleford or something. Problem two is I don't really have any sort of monkier or nickname that would reflect a solo roots music vibe. The third issue is I don't necessarily want to hide from my given name.
I am asking a lot here, but am wondering the random thoughts of the board as to how to balance my real-world reputation with my desire to do solo shows.
Playing music in a band did, in fact, hurt my professional goals at work in the past - although totally unjustified. I am also interested in working in a different town and realize that if you simply Google my name, it is like 90% music related. My social media pages are tightly regulated and I have pretty high security to access the info on them - all of which is PG or less and totally nonthreatening...It is just that people assume that since I play out occassionally that I am unreliable, lazy, and do drugs until they meet me and see otherwise.
My current bosses love me, but their boss always asks me about my music rather than my work when she sees me. Anyone where I currently work that doesn't now me would more than likely associate me with music as well. The problem is I love my day-job way more than music. I also am better at it than I am music. I've always felt that music was my hunting, fishing, or golfing...I don't see my peers getting judged by their hobbies like I do. Besides my family, my career is probably my biggest passion and love in life. Since leaving my last serious band, I regret not creating a separate "persona" that plays music. I would probably do 99% of it the same way, but without letting the association between me as a non-musician so obvious.
I've been more concious about doing music business with a different email and less use of my last name now (I don't care if people out of town know my name for music, this is just mostly as it pertains to my day job and home area). I am looking at even changing the url to my website.
In all honesty, I feel that I've been a great role model for my day job when on stage locally. This has for sure made it difficult to have the success available as I am very careful about what I play and where and how people will judge it. Out of town, I've been able to get away with a little more PG-13 behavior. It just isn't in me to be a real rock'n roller or trouble maker.
Thanks.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 8:28 AM
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waltertore
2117 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:00 AM
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Mike: we both are in the same field. I have been performing and teaching spec ed for 17 years. Walter Tore came way before teaching because my real name is walter francis gloshinski lll- way to long to use. Plus I was hiding from certain people at the time who would have possibly killed me if they could have located me. I have found no problem with my music and teaching career. I taken time off for small tours and the IBC with no problems and have been on the network tvs, newspapers. The staff often say- hey we saw you on tv last night. I am the same guy onstage I am in my classroom so I have nothing to hide. I love my job too but without my music being uncensored I would be no good to nobody. Good luck! Walter
PS: I don't drink or do drugs but have in my younger days. Now people under the influence get boring so quick I prefer to not be around them. Not to brag, but to make a point on how my music (and it gets out there by most standards with content) has not affected my career, I have won the most prestigious awards in both northern california and here in central ohio, for teaching excellence. Do your thing from your soul and the world will always be kind place
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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
3,800+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 9:17 AM
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arzajac
758 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:16 AM
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Mike - It would seem to me to be a lot less work to try to go the other direction and get your boss' boss (and her peers) to appreciate your music. It just seems like a much smaller target.
If you try to deal with their perception or preconceived notions by building a newer, bigger perception, isn't that both validating their concerns and making them worse in the same stroke?
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timeistight
480 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:16 AM
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Hasn't the boat already sailed on this one, Mike HarpNinja? You can't unpublicize your real name, unless you've invented a time machine.
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HarpNinja
2277 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:20 AM
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The people I work with and I get along great. They also often come out to shows. In trying to move from the classroom to administration (I've been out of the classroom 3yrs now), the perception of also playing music for money isn't as supported.
While in previous positions, it was never really a problem and I was pretty open with both sides - often to my advantage.
I've always felt, though, that people who know who I am but I don't work with (different buildings, etc) judge me for being a musician rather than my job performance. I was pretty ignorant to that until people specifically made comments...both peers and superiors.
My current position ends this May. It is sad as I love what I do right now. If I go back to the classroom, I'll actually have more time and energy for music. I would have no reservations in remaining semi-retired (I've cut back on all music knowing it would be good to phase it out before this spring) or dropping performing live altogether (I would work on harps, but not as often...probably do more home recording to share just with harp friends) if it meant I could work in admin...I also wouldn't have time over lunch or in the early evenings to post here, etc, if that happened. In fact, come May, I probably won't be online here or anywhere else much more at all.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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HarpNinja
2278 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:26 AM
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@timeistight
It isn't that I don't want people knowing...I just want it to be underplayed in new situations surrounding work.
For example, if I try to work somewhere new, I don't want the first thing for them to hear/see about me when deciding to interview me is me gigging.
I know that performing doesn't interfere with my career, I don't do things while performing that would embarrass my co-workers, and I don't mix the two in inappropriate ways.
HOWEVER, I know that many people would jump to the immediate conclusion that performing disallows all those things because I've heard it said.
If they get the impression that I played/did more in the past, that's fine..in fact, it is true. But as it pertains to right here and now, I'd like to be judged by other means and have the chance to speak to concerns about music/career than be dismissed because of ill conceived assumptions.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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waltertore
2118 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:30 AM
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If performing music keeps you from a job it is a clear message that is not the place for you. You are going to be VP? 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
3,800+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
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HarpNinja
2279 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:39 AM
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@waltertore
I am kind of like a VP right now. The position rotates every 3 years regardless of performance, etc. I for sure have a classroom spot next year, but I am applying out of district for admin-type positions.
I am not worried about music if I am in the classroom or remain where I am at. I would just like a chance, in the next few years, to try and work in other jobs and not have music be an issue. Internally, I am what I am.
My current concern is being pre-judged where people don't know me. Also, if I were to land in a new place, I would like to keep them separated for a number of reasons. If I am playing in bands, it isn't much of an issue as the focus isn't on my name.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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waltertore
2119 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:02 AM
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Mike: I think as long as you publicly perform you are up for being known by the staff. I keep it low key. You know how schools are- rush and hustle/bustle all day. I have found most are not interested in my music until they hear somehow about the people I have been associated with. If I was going for an admin job out of district and the music card came up in the interview I would downplay it from the sterotypical musician angle and promote the skills you have developed/used to become a hohner endorsee, web designer, managing a band, design, promo, etc. These are all admin skills and today schools are ever increasingly searching for ways to generate instead of spend money. Like I said if that red flags you from the job it is a red flag to you they are not very soulful people. My principal in Austin, an older african american, use to have my band play at the final day of school assembly. We would groove to jimmy reed like beats as the 2,000 students cheered and danced. In Ca at the middle school I was at for 11 years I played the multi cultural fair every year, and had many young musicians volunteering in my room. Here in OH the counselors send me troubled reg ed kids that are musicians to help in the room. To be honest, I have found my music backround to be a big plus. We just moved into a new school and the head architect and the head planner both dig my music big time and have gone out of their way to make my room everything I asked for. It is a complete commercial kitchen that we are training students for real life jobs and running several baked good businesses. We are about to start selling our artisain yeast breads in local grocery stores. The Ohio Dept Of Ag has been a great help along with the board of health people in getting this going. Both know and like my music. I carry music as an assest. It can free kids up that are locked up, calm down ones that are mad, and bring autistic kids into our world. All good stuff! The main thing is to do what is most comfortable for you. Only you live in your body. Have faith it will all work out! 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
3,800+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 10:18 AM
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Kingley
1903 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:14 AM
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Personally I think having another persona or stage name is not a good idea. When you have "dual personalities" people will automatically think you have something to hide when it's found out. Which of course people finding out is only a matter of time. Far better I think to just be yourself and be open, upfront and honest about playing music for money. When people frown at it and ask questions as they undoubtedly will, then you get the opportunity to "educate" them. In the long run they will simply accept what you do and it will cease to be an issue. If you try to hide it though it will always be an issue and they will always be more likely to mistrust and judge you unfairly. That's just my opinion though and you know what they say about opinions!
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sonvolt13
107 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:39 AM
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Mike,
I'm a school social worker and I typically have people from school come to gigs. I could see how being in an administrator role could put you in a different position as far as inviting co-workers or even it being known that you play music out. On the other hand, being in the education profession, I think it is especially important to have an outlet to help manage the stress that goes along with the work. I play out once a month and don't drink in front of any of my co-workers while playing out.
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HarpNinja
2280 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:46 AM
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Would it be too far out to use a bit of a nickname for my solo act?
I can't think of anything cool, but something like Harmonica Mike, where I use my first name, but not my last...I see that a lot in blues based music already.
I do not want to use a band name to play under or a made up stage name. A nickname of sorts works well because my last name is hard to say/spell and if it is a fun name, it might help with marketing anyways.
I don't want to hide, but I do want to do 1-2 solo shows a month opening for other bands, etc. Nothing crazy until I figure out my plans for work this fall.
Giving yourself a nickname is lame and the only music related nickname (sorta) I've ever had or used is HarpNinja...which isn't probably the best choice, or even a real nickname.
For over a decade I was most commonly called Fugz (rhymes with bugs). I still get called that by anyone I played football with. Growing up my closest friends all called me Fu (like Foo) or Fu Poc. Pretty boring...
All my nicknames are based off my last name and wouldn't work with "Mike" at the end. I haven't really pushed the solo thing because of this very reason - not knowing what I'll be doing career wise after this summer and how much effort/time related to work I want to put in.
I almost have my home studio finished, and if I resign to just sharing clips with friends (most likely) the name thing is not a concern.
Over St. Patty's, I did a gig with Rev. John Wilikins at a small BBQ place. It was pretty slow, but the people there were extremely receptive. I had overplanned for a rowdier crowd, and had sorta resigned myself to using the solo thing as a novelty act when not gigging with bands.
At the end of my set, a 15yr old boy came up (plays harp and guitar - country blues), and he sorta lit a fire under me to seriously consider going solo with more intentionality due to his excitement over my set. The other people there were great too, but I had always felt that people into blues and roots wouldn't take to the looping thing.
I still don't think clubs really get it, but the response from people has been great so far - especially compared to some of my band work. I wrote new material over the rest of the weekend and have been enjoying the between gig time more than when with a band (I always end up putting out fires, etc).
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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kudzurunner
3123 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:56 AM
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This is a great thread. I've never seen this particular issue discussed on this forum or any other, and it's an important issue.
You've got a couple of options. I like the idea of keeping "Mike" and reframing it. Keeping your last name out of the mix seems like the thing you're trying to do. You can't call yourself Little Mike; that name is already taken. Harmonica Mike has a nice double meaning. Why not that? Or Harp Mike? Or Big Mike on Harp, if you're a big guy.
Don't use shortened version os your last name.
There's only one rule in all this name-changing and stage-naming: You gotta stick with the name you pick. Unless you're a skinny biracial dude from Minneapolis, of course. In that case, you can call yourself Prince or The Artist Formerly Known at Mike or ? or £ or §¶•ªº––?£™¡. But unless you're him, you only get one chance at a stage name, since once people start to know you by that, you'll lose your fan base at live shows if you suddenly change it up.
My friend Mark Weitzman calls himself Mark the Harper. He's been a real estate agent for a long time; there, he calls himself Mark the Realtor.
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isaacullah
1857 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:29 AM
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I'm on the academic job market right now, and I've been cleaning up my web presence as much as possible. It's not that I'm embarrassed by anything up on the web that my name associated with it (I comport myself with dignity when online), but rather, like Mike, I'd rather potential employers focus on my academic skills and record than on my hobby. Like Mike, my "day job" is my real passion in life, and harp is just something else I do that gives me a lot of pleasure. My web presence is about 80% archaeology related, but you do find quite a bit of harp-related stuff when you google me, especially my YouTube page. Given that I chose to use my real name as my handle on most of my harp-related internet activities, this isn't much of a shock. However, it's only recently that Google has bought up pretty much everything, and has gotten it's web crawlers smart enough to deduce that my handle "isaacullah" is actually my first and last name put together. Several of my colleagues have seen my YouTube channel and videos, and it's always been a positive reaction ("Wow, you play the harmonica? And you don't sound like Bob Dylan? Cool!"). But, at the University-level, I think that there is perhaps less stigma associated with having "alternatives" attached to your name. As long as you get your pubs out, present at conferences, mentor students, teach them well, and (most importantly) bring in that grant money, I don't think the administration cares about your hobbies or how public they are (unless they include being an axe murderer).
That being said, when I set up my Reverbnation page as a way to promote my street act, I was careful to NOT put my last name anywhere on it. I call my act "Isaac's One-Harp Band", which is a fairly accurate, if perhaps a bit bland, description of what I do. It keeps my first name, but dissociates from my other, more professional, activities. I you knew me, would it be hard to figure out that that's my page? No, not at all. But it doesn't pop up in a google search of my name, and, frankly, I'd rather keep it that way....
This is a very interesting topic, by the way!
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== I S A A C ==
View my videos on YouTube!
Visit my reverb nation page!
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HarpNinja
2281 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:41 AM
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Adam, I love your post, lol!
I knew it at the time, but my only regrets as of yet are using my name for my domain name and YouTube handle.
The difficulty now is that changing either is tricky. Well, a domain change really isn't, but I'd have to start over at YouTube. Again, though, at the time of their creation, this wasn't an issue at all. I didn't see it being one down the road due to my perception of my behaviors - I have nothing to hide other than I play music, which I am not really trying to hide.
Something I do have in my favor is that anyone who checks out either of those on any sort of regular basis already plays harp and knows me and doesn't care about my day job.
If I had a handle I liked, and could work into my logo, etc, I'd start using it immediately. Being that I would have to stick with it, I'd hope it something I didn't loathe.
I am only 5'll and 170lbs. Big won't work, lol. The only nickname I had related to my first name was "Media Mike". I don't want to use that. My track coach/science teacher called me that, and it stuck throughout most my track career, because of the media attention I got as an athelete and as a student (most others would get one or the other).
I've though about referencing harmonica right in my name, but always have felt that underminds what I try to do to an extent.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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arzajac
759 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:45 AM
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So many people here are in the field of education! It makes me self-conscious about my spelling...
Adam, You are known as a street musician. Even though that was many years before Facebook and Youtube, it's there now. It would seem to me that a reputation as a street musician would have more stigma than someone who plays in clubs or bands. Have you ever faced that problem in your professional life? Or does having a PhD grant you automatic credibility and take care of that? (If so, Mike, get a PhD - it's a simple fix!)
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nacoran
5417 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:50 AM
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HarpNinja seems fine as a nickname to me! I just read an article the other day about would be bosses demanding Facebook passwords as part of an interview process, and I've seen a bartender pushing the woman they hired to run open mic to use her personal network to drum up business. I can definitely see some advantages to separating business networks from personal ones. It can be tough. I definitely think that it's a good idea to have at least a partial layer of separation, even for more mundane reasons than job security. Just on Facebook I've got a few fans on our linked band page, then people I know from here, family, people I know from back in school, people in the local music community, etc.
I'd do the transition gradually. Start directing all new music traffic to a Facebook page set up as a fan page for starters. That includes trying to migrate people who follow your music on your personal sites over to the new page.
As for a good nickname, nickname threads are favorites around here! I'm sure someone around here can come up with something catchy, or at least give you enough ideas to get your brain churning some out. HarpNinja really isn't that bad. There is that whole pirates vs. ninjas thing so people love Ninja stuff. Instead of thinking of it as a nickname, think of it as a band name. Unfortunately, your last name, I think, is already taken. I'm partial to joke names, but that's me. I've been in Mozart's Other Brother Darryl and The Normanskill Saxons (the Normanskill is creek that runs nearby.) I toyed with the idea of The Stick Figures (that would have been for a band with an average weight of about 350 lbs., for once I would have been the little guy).
Look and see if your name alliterates or rhymes well with any local cities or landmarks and see if they are taken, or just make something up.
Mojo Mike
OMB? OMG!
The Fugs
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HarpNinja
2282 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:55 AM
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I am not too many credits short of a PhD. However, it doesn't really benefit me financially nor open any extra doors at this point (I plan on starting it soon, though...if I move into admin full time, I can afford it and do a work-based program that will align with my job).
My goal was to have it by 30...looks more like 35 now. I finished my course work for my Specialists and got my K-12 Admin license at 30...I almost went straight to the doctoral program, but was worried about completing it if I went back into the classroom while enrolled.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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yonderwall
21 posts
Mar 21, 2012
11:56 AM
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Hey Mike, how about "Sonny Boy Williamson"? It's worked before...
Or, along a similar vein, I could give you the harp name I had been saving for myself: Vanilla Rice (get it?)
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 12:23 PM
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HarpNinja
2283 posts
Mar 21, 2012
12:01 PM
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That's hilarious!
In general, I feel sorta guilty taking a really bluesy sounding name as I am probably not worthy.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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wolfkristiansen
109 posts
Mar 21, 2012
12:03 PM
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Interesting topic.
I've had a stage name the entire time I've played in public. My birth name is Danish; obviously so. It's rarely seen outside Scandinavia.
Hate to say it, but blues players have greater credibility with an American sounding name. It was a no-brainer for me, and my band of the day, to settle on a stage moniker that sounded more American than my birth name.
There's an adantage to all this that's not been discussed-- Just as a Hallowe'en costume allows you to act in ways you would never act in real life, a stage name (and stage costume?) allows you to adopt a persona separate from the persona you present to your boss at work or your wife at home.
This is a good thing if it allows you, for instance, to put more flair or joie de vivre or feeling in your performance than your day-to-day self can muster.
Trite example-- John Belushi and Dan Akroyd-- Not a good name for a blues duo. "Joliet" Jake and Elwood Blues-- much better. (Don't jump on me, I'm not saying we should all wear black suits, shades and fedoras and become clowns.)
So, to answer your question, HarpNinja, pick a name you like and are comfortable with. With respect, your long presentation of the question tells me you're probably anguishing about it more than needed. Good luck.
Cheers,
wolf kristiansen
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dougharps
178 posts
Mar 21, 2012
12:25 PM
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After 10 years as a counselor in State Mental Health facilities, and 17 years counseling/social work in an agency working with runaway youth, I worked in State Child Welfare 10 years before retiring. In the workplace I have always presented my music as a self supporting hobby or avocation, since relative to my day jobs, it brought little profit beyond buying harps and gear(I did report it all on taxes).
In all the jobs it was not an issue. In child welfare, my coworkers and two levels of supervisors had no problems with it, and coworkers and supervisors came to gigs, asking that I let them know when I was playing. I did not tell clients about my music, and I can only think of one or two that found out. I was always under a band name, not my name.
Early on at the child welfare job, an investigator alerted me that I was being watched by "higher ups". I thanked the investigator, and assured him that I didn't use drugs, didn't get drunk, and that I was not concerned about what any investigation would find. Nothing ever came of it.
There are many musicians in our town who have day jobs such as university professors, lawyers, and teachers. One local harp player who plays with a band in town has been a school principal in a local district for years. A local guitar player has been an educator for years and years, and has his PhD.
Overall, I think that if you are managing your behavior within the ethical and moral standards of the community, a musical "hobby" won't be a problem.
However, I have not been a user of social media, and that is another area to consider.
I like the idea of your having a name for your act that you promote publicly, as opposed to your full "professional" name. Harmonica Mike (or Minnesota/Minneapolis Mike???) seems fine. It isn't that you hide your name, it is just that you don't emphasize your whole name in publicity for gigs. I like the idea of a separate "fan page".
As long as you are not violating professional or community standards in your act with lyrics or behavior, I think it will be fine, especially working in any human services field. Music is enriching, and builds community.
It also helps you as an outlet for emotion.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 12:26 PM
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waltertore
2120 posts
Mar 21, 2012
12:54 PM
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wow. this stuff is very new to me. I quit reading the paper, tv, radio, about 5 years ago and live pretty much isolated from this technology spy angle. I only scanned the posts at work. I am now home and reading them thoroughly. this is the first I heard of it. I never thought about the boss looking one up via the net for investigative purposes. I am glad I use walter tore and spontobeat. Still I have nothing to hide and if something comes of my ramblings on this forum from the admin at work I will sue them for a fortune:-)
The life I led led me to this point. Sure a lot of things I did in the past would not fit my life today. I call that growth and see it as a positive. I am glad I am old enough to have avoided the net/technology craze of today. I couldn't imagine being a young person today. Every little open mic gig is video taped...... Boy if you guys had me as a teen on this forum today you would probably ban me from live music for life :-) Growing up is about finding yourself and mistakes abound. this continues till we die but the curve is spiked during adolecence and early adulthood. Such a depressing scene it presents today with everything being documented and this thread really has brought it to my attention. I see kids at High school that have records for a shoving match, cursing a teacher. In my day it would have been dealt with behind closed doors. Kids and young adults are stressed so bad they are just plain depressed as a generation. I have seen this increasing each year since I started teaching.
I still live in a pre internet/cell phone philosophy- I say what is on my mind. It is honest. I make lots of mistakes and eventually I learn from them. My God the pressures on young people. No wonder live music is dying. they are too depressed and stressed to feel hope and joy as a generation and it looks like it will only get darker if things continue evolving in the direction they are now. I am seeing this as the canary in the coal mine so to speak. This has given me new insight on the depression I see so rampant in young people today. Singing the music from ones soul is a complete package. One can't do it at night and put on a different suit in the morning because if it is true music from your soul it is who you are no matter where you are. I am known as being quite eccentric (so I am told). I feel normal and see most of the world as not very inspired. The good news is I know as long as I be me, life only gets better. What a world. Man I am really shocked. I have been shot at, stabbed, beat to hell, overdosed, and homeless. These things are now gifts. It made me strong. Losing my job is small potatoes compared to that stuff. I am glad I had a hard life. Going from HS to college without being cold and hungry for a bunch of years would make losing a job look pretty bad. Lots of song ideas to sing about. I am off to the studio and hope they come out. Walter
It is time for young and old to come together and revolt against this tide!
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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
3,800+ of my songs
continuous streaming - 200 most current songs
my videos
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 1:43 PM
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Oisin
925 posts
Mar 21, 2012
1:01 PM
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I think it is terrible that you even have to think like this Mike. I don't think this would happen in the UK.
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Oisin
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billy_shines
282 posts
Mar 21, 2012
1:28 PM
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you dont pick nicknames others pick them for you.
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BronzeWailer
437 posts
Mar 21, 2012
1:36 PM
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I like Harmonica Mike and Minnesota Mike. How about Quicksilver Mike?
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Frank
452 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:23 PM
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Two of the Best Blues Rock and Soul Bands in Pittsburgh have front men who are In High Profile Jobs, maybe they can give you a few pointers?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Price/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Grushecky
Stage Name - Mikes Musical Mile
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SuperBee
149 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:23 PM
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Very humourous Mike. How much would have been "too much" i wonder.
This has been somewhat of an eye opener for me. Musicians are widely regarded as unreliable, lazy drug users.
I never knew that was the perception. I think that would annoy me so much if I thought I was being prejudged in that way by my professional superiors. In fact I'm pretty sure it would be illegal in this country.
But practically, if you want a stage name, what's the big deal? It's not much different to naming a band. How about "sinsemilla mike"?
My job deals with bias, as in, awareness of bias and endeavouring to keep it out of my work. It's insidious. I like to remember this quote from John Milton: "we see things not as they are, but as we are."
Ciao
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Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 2:35 PM
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Jehosaphat
203 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:35 PM
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Interesting thread.Like Osin said we are about the same in NZ..can't imagine it being a problem here.
Some of our 'bad boy' punk rockers from that era are now very succesful in business,arts law etc.
Anyways i have always had in the back of mind the moniker of S'harper for a solo name.
Sorta nice pun.
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KingoBad
1071 posts
Mar 21, 2012
2:48 PM
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How about Mike L. Angelo. - harmonica master?
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Danny
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12gagedan
200 posts
Mar 21, 2012
4:04 PM
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I'm pretty OK with my online persona. Actually, I'm very proud of it. If an employer can't see you, Mike, as the well-rounded, motivated person that your online persona presents, then to hell with them.
I wish it were that easy. . . People are going to talk or come up with b.s. notions no matter what you do, though. If you rock at work, just be who you are, and it will all work out.
I think of it as playing the game to win, but without hurting anyone else, and maintaining as much of my "self" as possible. It's much easier to fall in line, stick with the herd, but that's AVERAGE. To be even a little EXTRAORDINARY, you have to take risks. There are other extraordinary people at the top, waiting/watching for you. May not be apparent all the time, but they're out there.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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harmonicanick
1510 posts
Mar 21, 2012
4:14 PM
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think it is terrible that you even have to think like this Mike. I don't think this would happen in the UK.
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Oh yes to that!!!
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shadoe42
141 posts
Mar 21, 2012
4:38 PM
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Many businesses now are running Facebook checks but this is the first I have heard of one asking for an account password.
I am in a slightly different spot as my whole band is designed around characters. Pirates to be exact, so we all have stage names. Mine happens to be Cheeks :) which is a nautical term, humorous and works as harp player. And while I am out at venues I get called Cheeks just as much as by my real name. Hehe I figure it is also a nickname I can keep if and when I ever do a solo thing.. Cheeks Miller has a nice ring to it :)
But my facebook page is under my name Ed Miller, and things under that are pretty much all band. I also have one for my electronic music under the shadoe42 moniker. For some of the same reasons you are wanting a new name Mike, separation of the two. Although my electronic page does reference my pirate music as well.
But pretty much my entire work knows I am in the band and no one seems to have a problem with it. They laugh about it a lot given the nature of the "characters" but that is it. And many are suprised when they question at just how much work this music thing is haha.
Most of the people I know that have totally 'seperate' identities online are educators. They tend to keep a public page and a private page. Not all but that seems to be the trend.
All that being said I can certainly see the desire to keep it more separated and in truth if I could go back and set up separate identities I probably would. Sometimes the band intrudes a bit to much into my personal life at times. price we pay right? :)
And for the record I like HarpNinja as well or as Adam suggested Harp Mike.
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The Musical Blades
My Electronic Music World
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smwoerner
55 posts
Mar 21, 2012
4:38 PM
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I think Dan nailed it with this statement
"It's much easier to fall in line, stick with the herd, but that's AVERAGE. To be even a little EXTRAORDINARY, you have to take risks. There are other extraordinary people at the top, waiting/watching for you. May not be apparent all the time, but they're out there."
I can think of few professions more in need of people willing to break stereotypes than yours. The same person that would hire the you that you are looking to portray by sheltering parts of your life rather than the person you are as a whole will likely be reluctant to change or new ideas.
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walterharp
844 posts
Mar 21, 2012
4:46 PM
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i vote for fugs or fugz
they are simple but make people take notice and remember something differnt
not very far from your name, so you are not hiding, but makes it clear you are putting in a bit of separation.
i see the issue, playing bars as a k-12 admin, that could create some problems.. yet on the other hand it is getting you noticed as somebody who is multi talented and more interesting than just another guy
i deal with this myself.. my credentials are very strong in my day job, but the music thing is on the internet, and when i go to related professional spheres in other places, the band thing often gets more play in intros than my related work.
i think another name is a great solution to this.. a little digging and if they know you better, then they know all that anyway, but first cut.. it adds a bit of separation.
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tookatooka
2853 posts
Mar 21, 2012
5:05 PM
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@Harpninja. Do you have a middle name with a good initial. MJ MD MB MK MB MC sound good MA ME MO MU MI not so good.
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Martin
58 posts
Mar 21, 2012
5:20 PM
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Don´t go for Fugs or Fugz. That´s already taken, although they may be dead by now, were kinda big in the 60´s -- and they took it from Norman Mailer´s "The naked and the dead" where he couldn´t for propriety´s sake spell out "fuck". The editors changed it to "fugh". You don´t want to go there.
Strangely enough, I find it a bit hard not to see the advantages of the possible synergy between teaching (I assume that´s what you do?) and music. But I´m an innocent Swede (not at all alien to teaching) and would be extremely hard pressed to call myself Big Mike, Medium Mike or Little Mike (notwithstanding that my name is Martin). Those "cool" monikers like Harmonica Slim, Bad Joe, Shakey Edgar or Far Out Felize sound a bit dorky to me, and ring more of trying to hide something than bring a talent to the fore.
IIRC your name is Mike Fugazzi, which I think is an excellent name: first part common and easy, family name just un-familiar enough to be memorable.
/Martin
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eharp
1765 posts
Mar 21, 2012
5:44 PM
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wow! i know of a whole bunch of solo acts in the detroit area that go by their given name.
do not go with "fugz". it sounds a little obscene.
lonesome mike.
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HarpNinja
2284 posts
Mar 21, 2012
6:31 PM
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You guys are great! I realize I am probably a tad bit over sensitive to this, but I think it shows how seriously I take my profession. I am at a bit of a crossroads (pun intended).
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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FMWoodeye
277 posts
Mar 21, 2012
6:32 PM
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@eharp...yeah, I was thinking Lonesome Mike, too. Not outrageous, conveys the solo act thing. Me, I have a list of nicknames to choose from.
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shadoe42
144 posts
Mar 21, 2012
6:44 PM
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oooo 'MC sound good' :) :) :) :)
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The Musical Blades
My Electronic Music World
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toddg
101 posts
Mar 21, 2012
7:10 PM
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It didn't hurt Leslie Johnson ( Lazy Lester or Slim Harpo ( James Moore ) I think it's cool to have a stage name ! but sometimes there could be another musician using the same name like the Sonny Boy's
When I made a face book page under Jersey Slim ,I found out there were 2 others using the name at one time but didn't have facebook pages . And all of us JS's are not even well known so I thought why not .Plus I'm not in a band now and only go to Jams ,I guess if I did record a cd ,I might call myself Todd ( Jersey Slim ) Glazer . I once thought Howlin Jr would be a cool name or Pot Belly slim
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Michael Rubin
474 posts
Mar 21, 2012
7:35 PM
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Hey Todd, my family is full of Glazers. We might be related.
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Michael Rubin
475 posts
Mar 21, 2012
7:59 PM
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I have been in a lot of R rated bands. One band has offended many people and when we were hired as a festival headliner, there was a letter writing campaign threatening making a big deal about us to the press unless the festival dropped us. It turned out the letters were spearheaded by an opening act who thought they should have headlined. The band and the festival decided to call their bluff and everything was fine. All this was happening as I was buying a house and I had visions of my picture being everywhere with "evil musician" headlining and all my new neighbors figuring it out.
One band member threatened to quit if the band didn't tone it down. He wasn't offended but he was worried his work would be. We did tone it down because this band would not be the same if even one member left. We still have lots of fun and people still love us but there is a certain je nai que sais (sp?) missing. I do wonder how I am going to explain some of my work to my kid.
I am not sure I always understand exactly where I stand concerning the issues that are satirized or spoken clearly about in my bands. I just believe this is an adult world that deals with all kinds of real issues and just asking the question "What is this issue about" is worth the effort.
Honestly, I hope I can continue to make a living as a harp teacher/ performer. I am good at a few things, but none of them pay as well and I hate doing them. But even as a musician I fear loss of work due to bad reputation.
Buddhism says one of the thing that keeps man from being free is the fear of the loss of good reputation and I definitely see it.
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HarpNinja
2285 posts
Mar 21, 2012
8:05 PM
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That's an interesting comment. I wonder if it has more to do with the context of actions and their perception...like people doing something to help their reputation with their rep as the motivation.
From my perspective, I don't want to be misjudged...I don't feel the need to be judged differently for what I am (like I am covering something negative). That may sound contradictory, but it isn't. Obviously, this is a tricky situation and I am trying to find the "right" thing to do, which may not be the most rewarding for me in the end.
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Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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Joe_L
1818 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:10 PM
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The right thing to do is to be yourself. If you stay true to yourself, you've got nothing to worry about. When you try to be someone you aren't is when you'll have problems. "Blues sunglasses" and "blues hats" will be the next thing on your agenda. If you stick with your name, you're much more likely to keep it real.
One more thing, it's far too late to worry about your online presence. You should have thought about that several years ago. Sites like the Way Back Machine archive everything.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
Last Edited by on Mar 21, 2012 9:11 PM
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capnj
17 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:14 PM
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How about Michaelglissandro or gliss sliding from one job to another,giving both the fortisimo effort.I like quicksilver mike also.At your age,and with your driving desire,juggling everything will happen,just don't worry till your weary.
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nacoran
5424 posts
Mar 21, 2012
9:38 PM
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If you take on a persona, just make sure it's one you can stick too. Back when you could be anonymous on social networking sites without risk of being deleted (MySpace) I was, 'Trollnate'. Every comment I made was in broken troll English. Some of it was pretty funny, but it was one thing to have the shtick associated with me, and quite another to have my 'public' personality tied so closely to the shtick that I couldn't drop it on my own MySpace site without ruining the gag.
In a way, that's the biggest hassle with sites like Facebook is that eventually you get such a diverse group of people you feel like you have to always be stuck in the 'on' position, judging what you post for the audience that is your life, which is sort of the dilemma you have, where your personal life and your public life run into each other in ways that they wouldn't just a few years ago.
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Nate
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billy_shines
284 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:09 PM
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you could get a beret, dark glasses, a fake zz topp beard. a pimp zoot suit and call yourself mr blues douche. no a clerical collar and carry your harps and whiskey in a hollow bible the rightious reverend uncle blues douche. yeah i like it.
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billy_shines
285 posts
Mar 21, 2012
10:25 PM
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ok thres alot of Drs dr blues dr slide dr harmonica. theres reverend blues uncle blues and many cousins. i dunno stinko the clown? NO DAMN stinko is taken :(
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