Reply to Derrin Richards

I must apologise! It appears I overlooked the clause in my contract as a freelance music columnist with the BOP Times that says I must only write things that Derrin Richards agrees with and wants to read.

Derrin has contacted me on a previous occasion telling me what I should and should not be writing about, and how tedious and disappointing my column is reliving the glory days of events and local musicians - many of whom are “not much to get excited about anyway” according to Richards.

Richards derides me for a lack of research and absence of fact, to which I respond that my research is extensive and the facts I staunchly defend (albeit not of his mainstream or popular belief.) If people read my column in the hope of reading regurgitated, mindless feelgood PC propaganda they are clearly reading the wrong column!

I have made quite clear from the start that " the right note column" is “my” point of view, on topics related to the music business of “my” choice, and that is the way it will remain until somebody else is asked to write the column or I become tired of justifying to moaners my interest in local musical history and the hijacking of one of my greatest passions by governments and bureaucrats.

Until then (and without compulsion I might add!) you can continue to read articles on music related issues of a historic local content, and things that I believe are relevant to musicians of all or should I say most persuasions.

Socialists on a Soapbox

I recently ran a four part story in my music column in the local newspaper on the evils of Funding, which was in direct reply to another BOP Times columnist explaining how it was now much easier to get funding, and how much more and how much more often you can apply for it etc

A local musician had a go at me saying that I should write about music and that I was political grandstanding.

Here is one of my replies to him - one I shall print in my column, the other I will send as a letter to the editor.

It’s a sorry place we live in when every socialist on a soapbox - demanding to be given other peoples money - is accepted as moral and acceptable behaviour, but one person points out that it is immoral, he is slammed for political grandstanding!

By simply exposing the immorality of a bunch of looters intent on using force on others to get what doesn’t belong to them, I’m accused of political grandstanding!

First Margaret Wilson threatens to get involved in the local music scene, then a BOP Times columnist explains how much easier it is going to be to get your hands on funding, and another columnist telling us we should be forced to pay more to council so they can provide us with a long list of attractions that private enterprise could provide better and more efficiently!

Where were the objections to these? - Not a baaa was to be heard!

In their constant search for supporters the looters are delving ever more regularly into the vulnerable arts and music fraternity who are generally not overly political people, but who are susceptible to being bribed with promises of wads of other peoples money.

Socialism is a runaway train picking up speed, and getting harder to stop by the day.

I have seen the runaway train and trying to raise the alarm, but it seems most are too interested in watching the ensuing wreck to do anything about it!