Moody Center
Paying the Dues
RECEIVED Wed., April 8, 2015
Dear Editor,
It's about time someone says this: Black Fret is a country club for music fans. I know that every musician in Austin is excited that they might be the next band to get 10 grand from this organization, so they don't say anything negative. I actually think that their intentions are good. But, it costs $1,600 to join ($100, plus $1,500 for first year dues).
So, who makes the decisions about which artists get the money? People with money. They also get benefits from being in the club. Certainly none of the musicians I know could spend $1,600 out of pocket. I don't know many fans who could either. Therefore, the pool of people who can be in Black Fret is far from heterogeneous. It's people with money who use that money to gain power and influence to pick their personal favorites.
Being who I am, a local musician, this all sounds like sour grapes. But, I've never applied to be a Black Fret grant recipient for this very reason. I'm also not a person who simply complains without offering a solution.
So, I ask the folks at Black Fret to consider these changes: 1) Make the membership a percentage-based fee. Just have a drop-down menu for income brackets. Then have the rates for membership correspond. You might just get a lot more members. 2) Each member's vote counts the same. You'll definitely get a lot more credibility in my book.
Until then, enjoy your musical equivalent of iron gates, golf courses, and polo shirts down at the country club. I won't be there.
It's about time someone says this: Black Fret is a country club for music fans. I know that every musician in Austin is excited that they might be the next band to get 10 grand from this organization, so they don't say anything negative. I actually think that their intentions are good. But, it costs $1,600 to join ($100, plus $1,500 for first year dues).
So, who makes the decisions about which artists get the money? People with money. They also get benefits from being in the club. Certainly none of the musicians I know could spend $1,600 out of pocket. I don't know many fans who could either. Therefore, the pool of people who can be in Black Fret is far from heterogeneous. It's people with money who use that money to gain power and influence to pick their personal favorites.
Being who I am, a local musician, this all sounds like sour grapes. But, I've never applied to be a Black Fret grant recipient for this very reason. I'm also not a person who simply complains without offering a solution.
So, I ask the folks at Black Fret to consider these changes: 1) Make the membership a percentage-based fee. Just have a drop-down menu for income brackets. Then have the rates for membership correspond. You might just get a lot more members. 2) Each member's vote counts the same. You'll definitely get a lot more credibility in my book.
Until then, enjoy your musical equivalent of iron gates, golf courses, and polo shirts down at the country club. I won't be there.
Jared Blair