Comments on: Waterfront logo marks silver anniversary

By: Georgette Braun

Georgette Braun — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:37:21 +0000

hokumboy: I too am fond of reading my newspaper, I used to subscribe to the Chicago Tribune and the Northwest Herald as well. Now I read those “newspapers” online, as well as the NY Times and LA Times. So, it’s one of those two-steps-forward-one-step-back things in a few ways.
I’m hoping that blogging adds another communication dimension, not detracts from the core newspaper.
I do appreciate your communicating your thoughts, and hope you continue to do so.
Anyone else want to weigh in?

By: hokumboy

hokumboy — Mon, 12 May 2008 23:36:53 +0000

So,
Is that the future of the newspaper industry? Blogs?
Nothing but a skeleton staff moderating blogs and pasting AP reports for a glorified Buyers Guide? Will real newspapers and newspaper reporting just disappear? I should hope not. But I’m afraid it’s so.
Sitting at a monitor reading fractional news reports will be a poor substitute for spreading a newspaper on the kitchen table and going over the days events and ideas of people with a gift for the expression of those ideas. Holding those ideas in our hands and passing them to others, sharing them with those we feel close to. Nope, a quick cold click on the “forward” button will be the limit of our interaction.
I guess I’d better resign myself that this is “the wave of the future” and our news will be as outsourced as our industry has been. But I won’t be happy about it.

By: Georgette Braun

Georgette Braun — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:15:53 +0000

hokumboy:
Sorry you don’t like the Waterfront lineups lately. Your complaints are among many similar ones I’m sure Waterfront has heard before and will continue to hear.

Re: The Roches. We did have a blurb on the concert on page 18 on Friday, and it’s been in the calendar at rrstar.com for awhile.

Sorry we at the newspaper can’t be everywhere for every concert. You know, limited resources.
But if you want to post a review here, go for it.

Or maybe we can start an ongoing “Concert Review” category on my blog for future concert reviews of shows we can’t get to.

What do you think?

By: hokumboy

hokumboy — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:35:27 +0000

It’s a small folk festival in Geneva with some great performers from the “small pond” folk genre. I’m sure I wouldn’t see you there.
The price is $15 per day but that should be of no consequence since there are at least 4 acts that I’d pay $25 a seat to see anywhere .
Over the years the Waterfronts had many great acts:
Tish Hinojosa
Blind Boys of Alabama
Local H
Dred Zeppelin
Staple Singers
Holmes Brothers
Fabulous Janes
America
Jakob Dylan and Wallflowers
and, I’m sure I could name more if given a few days.
But, the key word is “had”. The past three years have been horrible. Last year the only performer that would have tempted me was Jane Monheit. One act in four days?
It seems it’s become nothing at all about the music but rather just a place for the supposed “beautiful people” to meet, sit in a reserved area, and complain about the masses.

By the way, Geo.
Why did the RRStar have nothing about the fantastic May 10th Roches concert that Charlotte’s Web put on? Those women are a nationally known group that have played with and written for folks like Paul Simon, Phoebe Snow, the Indigo Girls, and many others. They’ve recorded over a dozen albums throughout the past 35 years and gave us all a wonderful evening last Saturday night. But,,,, where was the “hip, with-it” crew from the RRStar?

By: Georgette Braun

Georgette Braun — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:35:26 +0000

hokumboy: what festival do you go to that weekend? what acts have you liked? how much does it cost?

By: hokumboy

hokumboy — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:19:17 +0000

Dude,
It’s not doing a fine job for any age group. I’m “40 and up” and didn’t go at all last year and, with what I’ve seen of the line-up, won’t be going again in ‘08. Two years ago there were only 2 acts to get me down there.
OTWF used to be almost a religious rite with me and I’d schedule my vacations around it so I wouldn’t miss any of it. Last year had only one act the entire weekend that would have tempted me to go. But, one act in 4 days hardly seems worth the time. The cost? They could raise it to $20 a day and that wouldn’t bother me if there was someone worth hearing.
Why don’t they just get it over with and have Cheap Trick play every year / every night so Genoways, and the folks at RRStar will have someone to fawn over. Our family’s found another festival for the weekend.

By: thedudeabides

thedudeabides — Sat, 10 May 2008 15:52:31 +0000

I’m not being negative. I’m being truthful. Negative would be : “OTW SUX!” I offered both criticism and suggestions. That’s positive.

It’s my opinion that the “big name bands” the OTW organizers get are not worth the big bucks, and that OTW would be more successful if it spread the money around to the smaller stages, and focused on attracting people from the surrounding areas by booking more regional touring bands. It seems that having people come early in the afternoon to watch several bands, eat food, drink, and enjoy the day is more profitable than having people party at their friends’ house and come to OTW for 2 hours for the “big show.”

But if it’s just supposed to be a party for Rockford’s “40-and-up” crowd, then they’re doing a fine job. I just don’t see too many other successful music festivals focusing on that demographic.

By: Javan

Javan — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:15:31 +0000

Don’t be so negative, dude. OTW is awesome. People come from all over and they really enjoy it. If it isn’t hop enough for you, you can always travel elsewhere. But realize you are in the minority. Geo and I will be rocking the place.

By: thedudeabides

thedudeabides — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:50:51 +0000

Better looking than the last two.

Unfortunately, a snazzy logo doesn’t make the festival any better. I just wish they’d stop wasting all the money on “big name” performers that aren’t really big names, and use that money to get better touring bands from Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.

Then again, when the people who make all the music decisions are all over 35, (which is how it used to be — not sure if they’ve picked up any new talent) that’s what you get.

*ps: If they schedule a hip hop act, OTW organizers better make sure to donate a little extra to the Policeman/Fireman’s Ball this year!