For a change, I am not the guy from the Albion area who wrote the latest column that ticked somebody off. That honor belongs to another columnist in town, and inasmuch as I appreciate his predicament, a highly personal attack on a fireworks event organizer or fellow musicians is not always a good idea. Sure, everyone is entitled to his or her opinion, and most of the article was the writer’s opinion, but sometimes it is wise not to express it in certain terms.
A local band was contracted to open for a regional band at the Albion Fourth of July celebration. They essentially sub-contracted part of their set to another local band — which included the other columnist — that did not get to play a full set. Afterward, the event organizer winds up becoming the target of the column, as did the regional headliner, The Kid Kurry Band.
I am hardly an impartial observer in this scenario, because I consider the event organizer a friend, and I have been targeted in the past. I realized it comes with the territory, but that did not mean I liked it. Of course, I was a candidate for public office, not a musician or volunteer organizer for an event.
In addition, at least two of the members of Kid Kurry played at a Rochester club I worked at almost 20 years ago. I remember them as nice guys and the band is made up of seasoned veterans, to say the least.
I also have a unique perspective, as a musician and music writer and an op-ed writer, or at least two out of three of them. Hence, on the night of the Albion fireworks, I was in Lockport covering the Our Lady Peace concert. There was some question about whether Albion should have hired a local band for their celebration; after witnessing a crowd of more than 25,000 for a Canadian band on the July Fourth weekend (and it was their second year in a row playing Lockport on the holiday weekend), I can say that local bands usually are relegated to the opening spot at outdoor events. It is just the nature of the business.
Of course, I understand the frustration of not being able to play. Once last year, my musical partner and I prepped for a short set at a local club where we had been invited to play, only to sit there with our friends and family for almost two hours and never get called to the stage. At least the other columnist got to play. He should also feel fortunate that another newspaper lets him promote his band week after week, after week, after week.
A long time ago, an English teacher of mine told me that angry letters are not meant to be sent. If people saw half the columns I’ve buried they would really think I was a raging lunatic — or maybe they would get the wrong impression about some people I wrote about in the heat of the moment. Occasionally I have had to issue an apology, either in person or in writing, and I think that people respect that. Nevertheless, even if they don’t, I do it because it is right.
If the other guy does not want to issue an apology, then I will, on behalf of musicians, writers, parents and citizens everywhere. I apologize to Kid Kurry and the event organizer and I hope neither of them allow one incident to mar their work, whether it be in music or organization. As for Kid Kurry, I hope you see them at the Elks Lodge in Albion on Sept. 24. That is a show I won’t miss, no matter who is opening.
