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Post by Lady Catharine on Aug 22, 2007 12:04:25 GMT -5
So, Lizzie, ya think you and Jon have found your home in the lanes?
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Post by Capt. Morgan on Aug 22, 2007 13:37:12 GMT -5
That would be one way of putting it...I'm glad you didn't ask her if she enjoyed "working the street"! LOL!
Loved that you were playing "the lanes" as it were...but something (and I have no idea "what") needs to be done with that dry, sunny, hot, gravel area close by! I call it "The Devil's Anvil" and it's a part of the Shire I loathe walking across, opting normally to hie myself past Hack-n-Slash's Stage..or past Master Griffin's booth (by way of the ever charming Privies) which then puts me out of the way of your music...
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Post by Droolin' Jack Porter on Aug 22, 2007 14:23:43 GMT -5
OK Folks...I've read all of your "Porter & Stout" bashing and I feel the need to add my own opinion.
Where does this hatred for "P&S" come from? We were hired to do a job and that is exactly what we did. There was no "ego" thing happening. We performed our four shows each day and hosted pubsing and that was it. In reference to pubsing - All of the music acts were contracted to perform at pubsing, with the exception of E Museki and Menagerie. All other acts were suppose to be there. Some acts had 5:30 p.m. shows and were not able to arrive at pubsing until 6:20 p.m. or so. Some acts just didn't show up on certain days. We ("Porter & Stout" were contracted to host pubsing and when we did not have musicians to perform, we had to fill the gaps until someone arrived. Just to clerify things, there was NEVER a time when we played 5 or six songs at pubsing. We played "Wild Rover" each day to open pubsing. If we needed to play another song, due to the lack of other acts, we would play a second song later in the show. We would also close the pubsing by playing, with as many of the musicians that would participate, "Canan's Land". We were often asked to play "Health to the Company", which we would not due until the fifth weekend, when Owain Phyfe was there. Never once did we prevent any of the acts from performing at pubsing. The bottom line is that several of the acts did not show up there, until after the wedding segment. We also ran into the situation where the circus folks took up alot of the time and we were not able to have some of the regular music acts come up.
As for "Porter & Stout" and our musical ability and talent... To those of you who support us, I say a huge "thank you". To those who do not like us, I am sorry. To those of you that are just annoyed because your favorite act was not on the Stumbull Inn stage this year and you feel it necessary to rip us apart, I say "get a hobby" and to those of you that feel that you know so much about performing and music, I say "you are welcome to come up on stage anytime and teach us how to do it!" I realize that my comments are going to piss alot of you off, but come on...if we are so terrible, how is it that we are performing all over the country?
Why is it that you people feel the need to complain about everything? How would you like it if someone started blogging or posting terrible things about you and the way that you do your job? This is my job. This the way that I make my living. Am I the best guitar player or singer in the world? No, nor do I claim to be. I am just a guy who is trying to make a living (as ALL of the performers are). Geez...give us a break!
If any of you would like to discuss any of this stuff, please feel free to send me a private message. I'll even send you my phone number so that we can discuss this in a more direct manner. Whatever you do, please make sure that you have all of the details BEFORE you start pointing fingers or bashing certain performers, for things that are out of our hands.
MY appologies to all that are offended and my best wishes to all,
Vinny aka "Droolin' Jack" Porter "Porter & Stout"
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Post by Lady Catharine on Aug 22, 2007 15:02:32 GMT -5
--really Morgan? Know me not? I shouldst NOT insult someone soo talented as she and her Good Lord! And besides workin' them there streets just aint' kewl>
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Post by Xian Jung on Aug 22, 2007 15:04:04 GMT -5
about the fried pickles, i've had them before and they're pretty good
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Post by Scarlett on Aug 22, 2007 18:52:32 GMT -5
I noticed a lack of music in the lanes. That is something I always liked about GLMF. I saw the piper in the lanes, but no other musicians that I recall. We were set up all day in the middle of the shire playing! We went to the front gate around 5:30 & stayed until closing. Where were you?! (Eyes downcast guiltily) At the pub most of the time I fear. I must have staggered down another lane than the one you were performing on!
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Post by BlackKnight on Aug 22, 2007 19:01:41 GMT -5
Vinny (and Richard)...what I am more mad about is the fact that the bashing made you feel compelled to come on here and explain yourself. Such said remarks were not worthy of a response from either you because like you said, if you were so bad, you two wouldn't be playing all over the country.
Don't apologize....you two have more talent in your pinky toes than most of the bashers on here. Be proud and play loud!
Joe
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Post by Captain John Stout on Aug 22, 2007 19:30:45 GMT -5
Thank you to those who defended us in this thread.
It is impossible in this world to be a professional act and not accrue those who dislike or even hate you. It was not beyond my reasoning that eventually we would find people who just don't like us. I knew that day would come. Obviously, there are two on this board who are of that mind set.
John was eloquent in his clarification of what our duties were, but for those of you who don't know, and didn't understand what Vinny was saying, let me clarify here:
As the music director of this show, it was my duty to play for the "cast songs" at pub sing, which included Wild Rover, Wild Mountain Thyme, All For Me Grog, Spanish Ladies, and Canaan's Land. Those songs were intended to be used when the selection of acts became thin. The appearance is that Porter & Stout were commandeering pub sing to further their own agenda. If you had listened, I announced each time it happened why we were performing again, that we were doing a cast song, and that musicians weren't available.
Maidens IV, although fantastic performers, decided that they didn't need to do pub sing one weekend, and were gone for one of the other weekends. I don't know about why, and I don't care, all I knew was they weren't there.
Amadon Crest played I think every single pub sing. Axel missed the first day only. Silent Lion performed EVERY pubsing (thank you John and Barbiel), Danny Malloy performed EVERY time he was at faire, ALL of the guest acts played each time they were there, and at least two of the acts performed twice during pub sing on several occasions. Matt Abelson, Vince Conaway both performed each time they were there. Even the Renaissance Man showed up.
I asked Broon, I asked the Washer Well Wenches, and I asked Barrett all to perform at pub sing. For whatever reasons they had (either being tired, not having a voice, not having appropriate material) they didn't do pub sing once.
I wanted Barry Croaker. He was buried (no pun intended, the costumes and props were) in Virginia somewhere.
The wedding scene had a song I wrote for the scenario in it, so I performed it.
Several times during pub sing, I looked around for the next act and there was none. I complained to John about it - yes I used the word complained. Several times I started pub sing with only one act there - Silent Lion. God bless them.
Until you know the reasons for things, you shouldn't open your mouth. We have feelings, just like everyone else. And especially when you know we visit these boards.
But professionally - what would happen if we lost a contract because an ED from somewhere in the nation came here and saw the things that were posted about us? Did you even think about that? WE could lose business because you went and said these things about us. You went beyond saying you didn't like us, you went beyond saying you thought we were bad, and you slandered us.
I actually expressed the fear to John that the pub sing might end up looking like a Porter & Stout show because no one was showing up to perform.
We make mistakes - we forget lyrics occassionally - we blunder a chord - we break strings - we get sick - we experience technical problems. These things and more affect us every day we perform in an environment like this.
I am appalled at the comment about my ego. It was downright libelous.
Say you didn't like the pub sing. Say you didn't care for Porter & Stout. But before you go accusing us of abuse of power or preventing others from playing, check your facts.
For Shame!
And for my last comment, the only reason we didn't do Health to the Company all season was out of respect to Owain - when I got up to do a verse, it was because I asked him if I could first - I never forced it upon him - and he let me. I am honored that he has allowed me on many occasions sing this verse (which he never sings in his arrangement), and count myself lucky that I have done so. Not for the ego - not for the glory - but for the knowledge that I got to sing with the best.
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Post by Droolin' Jack Porter on Aug 22, 2007 19:55:01 GMT -5
Joe,
Thank you for your kind words. Please understand though...neither Richard nor I are appologizing for anything...just attempting to clarify a few important details that these experts obviously know nothing about. We will continue to play our music. Other audiences, at other festivals seem to like us and enjoy our music. It is just a shame when your "home town" audience bashes you so badly.
My best,
Vinny
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Post by Sir Trevor on Aug 22, 2007 20:09:49 GMT -5
Ok. Lots of clearing the air going on here. I have no problem with the comments made so far from either side. But if you guys want to continue the Porter & Stout discussion, please start another thread. This one is for the faire itself. I realize that the comments started here and that is why they were addressed here. But any more discussion of it should be moved to another thread. Either by Porter and Stout themselves, or anyone that wants to show their support, or voice thier opinions on them.
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Post by BeerBlessings on Aug 23, 2007 18:03:40 GMT -5
This post really only applies to me, so it's more for a chuckle than a *real* criticism.
Well, Porter & Stout and Jenny became a staple of my Faire days, especially the last half of the season. It was loads of fun trying to distract them with Beer Hookah antics, and they played along wonderfully. (The best of anyone except myself and Becky, IMO.) ... And now I can't quite think of aquariums the same again. (This is not a P&S bash or luv-fest comment, but all about the HOOKAH!)
The Beer Hookah became a large part of my faire season... A bit too much, actually. It is very much a mixed blessing. Next year, it'll only be coming out on request, or on select days. (And even then, I may hand it off to various people..
The good parts of carrying the Beer Hookah around all day: 1) All the various antics you can pull off for everyone's entertainment. 2) All the comments of "Oh my God! Look at that thing!", "I need one of those!", and "Where do I get one of them?!" from the mundanes. 3) I'm a walking billboard for Stumbull Inn. (See above.) 4) The looks of utter disbelief as we drink them. 5) Yelling "Hip Hip! HOO-KAHHHH!!!!!!" 6) Being able to toast at Pub Sing from 6 feet away. (And literally all drink out of one glass, if people so desire..)
And the BAD!!!: 1) Realizing how much money I spent on races.. Half the time, (Or more.. I don't want to think about it!) I ended up paying for it myself. 2) Having to carry it around ALL DAY LONG. 3) Finding a babysitter when I need to go to the privy. 4) Lack of free hand most of the time. 5) When I pass people, and they laugh, it's more likely that it's about the Beer Hookah than my placard. (Which I'd prefer be the memorable thing about my attire.) 6) People don't notice my "Will Bless For Beer" placard nearly as much. I never got any free beer when I carry the Hookah, and that's just horrible!!! (Granted, I would never say "Hey, let me buy you one" to a guy with a beer container anywhere near that size.)
So yeah, I need to get back to Blessing For Beer, and the Beer Hookah is just SOOO effective, it overshadows that aspect every dang time... The Beer Priest should be GETTING beer more than GIVING it, goshdarnit!
We now return you to your normally scheduled (serious) (constructive) criticisms.
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Post by Athena on Aug 24, 2007 18:07:50 GMT -5
As far as vendors are concerned, this was a better year that recent ones, but I'd like to see a few more come in and a better variety. C'mon, make this poor girl spend more money! ;D
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Post by Jezzy MacPeaks on Sept 20, 2007 10:58:44 GMT -5
'ello, all! So good to see so many friends from my favourite faire here! I won't re-hash criticisms already discussed, I'm coming in just a tad too late for that. However, I did voice a concern to Steve, the crafts director. We along our particular paths noticed a decrease in traffic flow from the Stumble Inn toward the Mud Show.
I'm the wench what sells the leather mugs there, and while, yes, I was busy, it seemed that the pathways in our direction weren't as well populated this year. There were many other vendors along those paths who made the same complaint. Apparently, the set up of the shire isn't exactly equally conducive to all vendors and shows.
Steve says he's heard that complaint many times this year, not only in the Olde World, but in the New World, as well. So, is there anything to be done to improve that particular situation? Can they not create a continuous flow from New World, through Middle Earth to Olde World, and vice-versa? I'm told that the best setup is an outer circle with a figure eight type pathway in the center, or an inner circle. Anyone have an opinion on this idea? Is it asking too much?
I can't tell you how many patrons actually told me they didn't even know the other side of the shire (New World) existed! Of course, that was also due, in a big way, to the fact that there were no programs/maps (with the exception of those horrid photo copied pages), until halfway into the season! Poor planning, admin!
Otherwise, I did enjoy this past season much more than the season before. The people of GLMF still are the BEST! Love to all...Mmmwwwaaahh!
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Post by Jezzy MacPeaks on Sept 20, 2007 11:08:10 GMT -5
Well, Porter & Stout and Jenny became a staple of my Faire days, especially the last half of the season. ...(This is not a P&S bash or luv-fest comment, but all about the HOOKAH!) The Beer Hookah became a large part of my faire season... A bit too much, actually. It is very much a mixed blessing. Next year, it'll only be coming out on request, or on select days. (And even then, I may hand it off to various people.. Father Dave, I agree with you about the Hookah. It was fun and unique for this season, but unfortunately, you had to do so much of it, we seldom got to spend those quiet moments, chit-chatting at my booth, like we did last year. It seemed the hookah took over your season. It was more about that than about YOU! You are someone I look forward to seeing at GLMF and I like the "Will Bless for Beer" thingy! It's cute! And, as for Porter and Stout, and Jenny, I love them! They're good people and have some good Piratey songs. I do think the Drift Inn stage is probably better suited to their style of music, but I was happy to see them at the Stumble Inn. Afterall, that's where the action is! Can't wait to see you all next year! Hugs
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Jezzy MacPeaks
Upper Class
Jezabel "Jezzy the Butcher" MacPeaks, Red Pirate Queen
Posts: 77
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Post by Jezzy MacPeaks on Sept 20, 2007 11:13:47 GMT -5
Joe, Thank you for your kind words. Please understand though...neither Richard nor I are appologizing for anything...just attempting to clarify a few important details that these experts obviously know nothing about. We will continue to play our music. Other audiences, at other festivals seem to like us and enjoy our music. It is just a shame when your "home town" audience bashes you so badly. My best, Vinny And you will always be loved and thought of fondly by your friends! I enjoy you. I also enjoyed doin' a little dance with Jenny when I got to slip me collar at me booth! By the way, it was great getting to know you all out at Anne and Herbs that Saturday night! Great fun! Good food!
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