[nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane andAmericanIdol

[kaye zimpher]

Hi terry I am sorry. I have been so busy that I have put my canvas on the 
back burner for now. Filing season is almost over thank God and then I will 
try to make it happen. I love country as well.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Powers, Terry (NIH/OD/DEAS) [E]" <powerst at dcpcepn.nci.nih.gov>
To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 8:08 AM
Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane 
andAmericanIdol


>I love country and gosple.
> I can cope with lite rock but not that neew hard rock, just the oldies.
> Kaye, let me know how your project is going.
>
> Terry Powers
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: kaye zimpher [mailto:kayezimpher at bellsouth.net]
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:44 PM
> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
> I love country music for thet reason along with many others. Country
> music is still music. I feel like a lot fo today's popular music is just
> noise.
> Many of the artists can not even sing they scream, groan and make just a
> lot of noice. I always prayed I would never say that when I got older
> and now I am saying it.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Milissa Garside" <milissa.g79 at gmail.com>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
> andAmericanIdol
>
>
>> Mike,
>>
>> It depends on what type of music one is going into. For example,
>> country music does not require a lot of visual entertaining. The same
>> holds true for opera and classical music. However, if one wants to
>> pursue music within the pop, R and B, Hippop, and rock fields, the
>> visuals are important whether you are on TV or performing to a live
>> audience. In those jonras, visual entertainment and performing are
>> more important music. Hence, there are now many musicians who can not
>> sing that are famous simply because they can
>> shake their booty and look good.  can      music,
>>
>> Milissa
>>
>> "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
>> matter."
>> Martin Luther King Jr.
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Michael Bullis" <mabullis at hotmail.com>
>> To: "'NFB Talk Mailing List'" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:16 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane
>> andAmericanIdol
>>
>>
>>> Ah,  so, we have two diverging interests.  One side says it's all
>>> about the music and that's what it's supposed to be about.  Are you
>>> sure?  Can't it be about visual entertainment as well?  I mean, this
>>> is tv after all which does imply visual entertainment.  But, don't
>>> feel bad.  There are lots of good singers, both sighted and blind,
>>> who hate the tv's requirements for visuals.
>>> But, I wonder, why fight it so much?  Why not just learn to visually
>>> entertaining?
>>>
>>> Some country singers like Randy Travis are visually borring.  They
>>> just stand there and sing, barely moving.  Clearly they've made it.
>>> Perhaps country allows for more of this still.  I know that Garth
>>> Brooks was put down by a lot of his fellow country artists because he
>
>>> has so many visuals in his show.  He also has a college degree in
>>> marketing as I recall.
>>>
>>> So, anyway, I'm sure I won't turn any of you musical purists into
>>> visual entertainers, but, I don't think it has much, or even
>>> anything, to do with blindness.  But, if you choose not to be part of
>
>>> the visual form of television, then don't be surprised if you don't
>>> get on American Idol.
>>> They're in a ratings fight and will always take the dual visual and
>>> audio entertainers over those who are just audio.
>>> Mike Bullis
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
>>> [mailto:nfb-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of kaye zimpher
>>> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 9:05 PM
>>> To: NFB Talk Mailing List
>>> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and
>>> AmericanIdol
>>>
>>> As I read this thought provoker I was quite interested because I
>>> absolutely love American idol, but I have to say I agree with the
>>> judges. I am and will always be a proud cane user, and I think it
>>> should be used at all times as the mobility aid that it was meant to
>>> be, but to have the cane as part of the dance/song? I'm not so sure
>>> about that. If I were a contestant I would want to look as good as I
>>> could and I would not want something distracting the crowd from my
>>> *beautiful* voice. hahaha But in all seriousness, if the contestant
>>> familiarized themselves with the stage before the show they should
>>> have no problem making the best routine caneless. By the same token I
>
>>> am also not fond of the distracting way some contestants wear strange
>
>>> things in their hair or dres so weird. It distracts the audience from
>
>>> the true nature of the show which is singing.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Robert Leslie Newman" <newmanrl at cox.net>
>>> To: "nfbtalk" <NFB-talk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 10:16 PM
>>> Subject: [nfb-talk] New THOUGHT PROVOKER #131- White Cane and
>>> American Idol
>>>
>>>
>>>> NFBtalk members
>>>> RE:  White Cane and American Idol
>>>>
>>>> Simon, Paula and Randy are faced with judging if a white cane is a
>>>> detractor to the performance of the first blind American Idol
>>>> contestant. See if you agree with their Judgment. fellow judges If
>>>> you have not read the PROVOKER, it follows.  Recall that I collect
>>>> responses and post them upon my web site for all the WWW to read and
>
>>>> learn from and that URL is- Http://thoughtprovoker.info  If you wish
>
>>>> to receive THOUGHT PROVOKERS sent directly to you, just write me and
>
>>>> ask, at-  newmanrl at cox.net
>>>>
>>>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
>>>> White Cane and American Idol
>>>>
>>>> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
>>>> fingers, the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in
>>>> rhythm to the driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices
>>>> of the backup singers, all part of his well rehearsed number for the
>
>>>> audience and judges of American Idol, the hit television show. The
>>>> competition was in the third week, eight contestants had already
>>>> been eliminated, four in each of the proceeding two weeks. This week
>
>>>> four more, two males and two females would be voted off, sent home
>>>> by America's voting audience.
>>>>
>>>> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked
>
>>>> the young blind man's rendition of the eighties rock tune. The
>>>> radiant smile and confident movement of the young man on stage told
>>>> the watcher that the singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>>>>
>>>> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the
>>>> first of the three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the
>
>>>> beat, looking excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we
>>>> saw in you from the first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the
>>>> enthusiasm of delivery, good clear tone, and the way you handle
>>>> yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was perfect for you. I liked
>>>> that! This was the best performance of the night!"
>>>> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>>>>
>>>> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
>>>> dance behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance;
>>>> great
>>> vocals!
>>>> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You
>>>> looked natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey,
>>>> you can dance!
>>>> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good;
>>>> you need to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the
>>>> final twelve and the other singers will have to work hard to beat
>>>> this performance."  She sat down, tilting her head and raising her
>>>> eyebrows to check what the persnickety judge on her right was going
> to say.
>>>>
>>>> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed,
>>>> taking in Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half
>>>> smile.  With serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began
>>>> one of his infamous, well known intros to an evaluation of a
>>>> singer's performance. "To be honest with you, I have mixed feelings
> about you."
>>>> The audience erupted with hoots and jeering in response to the judge
>
>>>> they loved to hate. "Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me have my
>>>> say." And with the return of quiet to the hall, Simon addressed the
>>>> now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the positive side, I think
>>>> you actually are one of the top two voices in the competition." The
>>>> audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly, knowing that
>>>> Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's eyebrows came
>>>> together as he frowned in concentration.
>>>>
>>>> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered
> Randy.
>>>>
>>>> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well,
>>>> we've never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with
>>>> how to phrase my comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting
>>>> performer, face determined, Simon continued, "Brent, I will not
>>>> treat you any different, I owe you that, and I'm going to tell you
>>>> what the problem is. It is . as we tell you all, in this business
>>>> you have to be believable. And in your special case, you have to be
>>>> acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to
>>>> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a
> minute, wait!
>>>> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored,
>>>> Simon went on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be
>>>> acceptable! As everyone else here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and
>>>> Ray Charles, and other blind musicians who have made it in
>>>> professional music. But there's a difference at work here. Now what
>>>> my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but on stage
>
>>>> I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
>>>> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
>>>> should be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with
>>>> being an
>>> Idol."
>>>> THOUGHT PROVOKER 131
>>>> White Cane and American Idol
>>>>
>>>> White cane arching, swaying, at times twirling like a baton in his
>>>> fingers, the young blind man belted out his vocals and danced in
>>>> rhythm to the driving beat of the stage band and supporting voices
>>>> of the backup singers, all part of his well rehearsed number for the
>
>>>> audience and judges of American Idol, the hit television show. The
>>>> competition was in the third week, eight contestants had already
>>>> been eliminated, four in each of the proceeding two weeks. This week
>
>>>> four more, two males and two females would be voted off, sent home
>>>> by America's voting audience.
>>>>
>>>> The live audience responded enthusiastically, obviously having liked
>
>>>> the young blind man's rendition of the old rhythm and blues classic.
>>>> The radiant smile and confident movement of the young man on stage
>>>> told the watcher that the singer felt he'd given a good performance.
>>>>
>>>> "Check it out! Check it out! Dog!" Loudly proclaimed Randy, the
>>>> first of the three judges standing on his feet, bent arms waving the
>
>>>> beat, looking excited and pleased. "That was hot! That is what we
>>>> saw in you from the first tune you sang in front of us.  it's the
>>>> enthusiasm of delivery, good clear tone, and the way you handle
>>>> yourself. Dog! Good song choice--that was perfect for you. I liked
>>>> that! This was the best performance of the night!"
>>>> Randy was beaming so hard, he could have been an ad for toothpaste.
>>>>
>>>> Paula was next, face beaming, still standing where she had risen to
>>>> dance behind her chair, "Brent, that was a stunning performance;
>>>> great
>>> vocals!
>>>> Your parents. who are in the audience, can be proud of you. You
>>>> looked natural up there; you had the audience loving you! And hey,
>>>> you can dance!
>>>> We hadn't seen that in your earlier performances.  You looked good;
>>>> you need to do more of that. I think you are going to be in the
>>>> final twelve and the other singers will have to work hard to beat
>>>> this performance."  She sat down, tilting her head and raising her
>>>> eyebrows to check what the persnickety judge on her right was going
> to say.
>>>>
>>>> The cameras shifted to the final judge. He had sat, arms crossed,
>>>> taking in Brent's performance with his usual critical eye and half
>>>> smile.  With serious tone and British-accented speech, Simon began
>>>> one of his infamous, well known intros to an evaluation of a
>>>> singer's performance. "To be honest with you, I have mixed feelings
> about you."
>>>> The audience erupted with hoots and jeering in response to the judge
>
>>>> they loved to hate. "Wait a minute, wait a minute, let me have my
>>>> say." And with the return of quiet to the hall, Simon addressed the
>>>> now unsmiling, serious young singer. "On the positive side, I think
>>>> you actually are one of the top two voices in the competition." The
>>>> audience responded favorably but quieted down quickly, knowing that
>>>> Simon had more to say. "But my problem is." Simon's eyebrows came
>>>> together as he frowned in concentration.
>>>>
>>>> "Ah, what? The ever eloquent Simon is lost for words!" blustered
> Randy.
>>>>
>>>> Turning a serious face to his fellow judge, Simon answered, "Well,
>>>> we've never before had a blind contestant and I'm struggling with
>>>> how to phrase my comment." Abruptly turning back to the waiting
>>>> performer, face determined, Simon continued, "Brent, I will not
>>>> treat you any different, I owe you that, and I'm going to tell you
>>>> what the problem is. It is . as we tell you all, in this business
>>>> you have to be believable. And in your special case, you have to be
>>>> acceptable." The audience reacts, Randy and Paula's voices add to
>>>> the storm of protest and Simon has to again pause. "Now wait a
> minute, wait!
>>>> Let me finish. Hear what I've got to say." With order restored,
>>>> Simon went on, "I did not say a blind singer would not be
>>>> acceptable! As everyone else here, I'm aware of Stevie Wonder and
>>>> Ray Charles, and other blind musicians who have made it in
>>>> professional music. But there's a difference at work here. Now what
>>>> my problem is--I said your vocals were one of the best, but on stage
>
>>>> I believe you will have to lose that white stick. It was .
>>>> annoying; it kept drawing the eye, taking the focus off of where it
>>>> should be, on the singer. Sorry, the stick is not compatible with
>>>> being an
>>> Idol."
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Robert Leslie Newman
>>>> E-Mail- newmanrl at cox.net
>>>> Web Site- thoughtprovoker.info
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> -------
>>> ----
>>>
>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>
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