it is a small world, after all
You'll hear the media hype the idea of the Internet democraticizing communication, which is an eye-roller in general, but a surprise email I received earlier this week supports the idea that the Web really does break down barriers and makes us all closer.
You may recall this recent entry on buying used CDs that included a brief rave about finding the disc If I'm Happy It Ends by Eddie Cohn. To my amazement, who do I receive an email from but Eddie himself, humbly and warmly thanking me for the mention. I checked, and it matched his contact info. Somehow Eddie (the nephew of Marc "Walkin' In Memphis" Cohn) must have come across my blog via a search, as serendipitous a connection as my picking up his CD on little more than a hunch and a vague notion.
So after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I responded in a supportive yet not unctuous tone. A couple hours later he sent a longer email, answering a question I sent and generally going into a bit more detail about the record. He even offered up a recommendation for the work of fellow singer/songwriter Magnet ... who I had heard thanks to the track "Lay Lady Lady," a cover duet with Gemma Hayes that appeared on a Xanga Music Xchange mix from gracebug.
I remember as a youngun occasionally sending a fan letter to a favored entertainer and generally getting no response. The Internet has changed things, as I've been able to trade emails with some fine musicians, most notably several with GrooveLily lead singer Val Vigoda. My bro has exchanged email with Jude Cole, one of his very favorite singer/songwriters, who is also as humble as he is talented.
But to receive an unsolicited email, out of the blue, from a singer/songwriter whose work you respect and enjoy? Only in the Internet age. It is a small world, after all.
You may recall this recent entry on buying used CDs that included a brief rave about finding the disc If I'm Happy It Ends by Eddie Cohn. To my amazement, who do I receive an email from but Eddie himself, humbly and warmly thanking me for the mention. I checked, and it matched his contact info. Somehow Eddie (the nephew of Marc "Walkin' In Memphis" Cohn) must have come across my blog via a search, as serendipitous a connection as my picking up his CD on little more than a hunch and a vague notion.
So after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I responded in a supportive yet not unctuous tone. A couple hours later he sent a longer email, answering a question I sent and generally going into a bit more detail about the record. He even offered up a recommendation for the work of fellow singer/songwriter Magnet ... who I had heard thanks to the track "Lay Lady Lady," a cover duet with Gemma Hayes that appeared on a Xanga Music Xchange mix from gracebug.
I remember as a youngun occasionally sending a fan letter to a favored entertainer and generally getting no response. The Internet has changed things, as I've been able to trade emails with some fine musicians, most notably several with GrooveLily lead singer Val Vigoda. My bro has exchanged email with Jude Cole, one of his very favorite singer/songwriters, who is also as humble as he is talented.
But to receive an unsolicited email, out of the blue, from a singer/songwriter whose work you respect and enjoy? Only in the Internet age. It is a small world, after all.