Thursday, September 6, 2012

What does one get when egos are bruised and the communication is via social media, in the  Facebook Fiddlers' Association?

 Texas-style Flaming Fiddles!



Perhaps we'll do an "In the Tradition" Texas Style Fiddling special in the near future.

The flaming, copied without embellishment.....



  • For 6 months now, there has been an effort on some public forums by current Texas Style Contest fiddlers to remove me from the list of players in that genre claiming that I did not know how to play Texas Style Fiddling, and even wishing to (re-judge) my contest wins back when I was even a teenager. One of their targets about my technique is my bow arm! No, they don't want to "strip" me from my championships because of steroids, the Texas Fiddlers want to consider disqualifying me because of my bowing! (one of their complaints is that it is too smooth, not enough grit and scratching). I was born and raised in Seattle having never lived in Texas, but the iconic Texas fiddler Benny Thomasson, was living in the state of Washington teaching me there.

    Just when you think that you have heard it all with regards to the music scene - this effort comes along! Enjoy the "poor" bowing on an old Texas fiddle tune, one that won me a lot of national championships against the Texas fiddle legends! (Maybe the P.A. systems that we played through back in the 70s had enough grit in them, that it made my smooth bowing sound more choppy! Ha!)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIsgM-lTpms

     ·  ·  ·  · Tuesday at 5:47pm

    • 6 people like this.
    • 50 of 100

      • Mark O'Connor It does not matter if every fiddler "gets" Benny Thomasson right now, or gets me. Obviously many do, and some don't. But what will happen, and I can promise you this, people will know one day, and the record should be set by me as far as my relationship to the old masters, like your own father Kenny Baker Michelle, who I was around constantly since I was 12 as well. These men were like father and grandfather figures. There is NO way, for young 20 and 30 year old fiddlers in cliques and gangs, are going to strip me of my own story, what went down, and the sacrifices we all made, in fact made in part for this incredibly ungrateful group of people here who are insulting. The sacrifices of hard work, leaving your family, and loved ones to create a music environment for others to enjoy then and later on, only to be mistreated.
        Yesterday at 7:41pm · Edited · 

      • Julie Morris What are y'all even talking about??
        Yesterday at 6:36pm via mobile ·  · 1

      • Beebee Simmons Actually Michelle I can't tell sometimes who is for and who is against I just quoted a High Lama who likes the middle way.
        Some of his teachings remind of church teachings and I kind of start tearing up when I hear all this kind of High School like conversations. I think it might be some kind of cultural norm that I don't have the inside to. I was not directing that at anyone really. Lot like your quote from Kenny who I have to say really touches my heart for the lovely way he plays as much as what notes he puts in as he leaves out just remarkable musican Kenny Baker and Mark as well. I do not know anyone personally here. PEACE OUT and PEACE in the VALLEY TOO! ♥ Think I'll just go listen to Gaither Carlton now ♥ bye y'all be well and do not get hurt... ♥ signed the LONESOME FIDDLER
        Yesterday at 9:52pm · Edited ·  · 2

      • Michelle Putnam Beebee---I totally agreed with your Lama quote--that's why I replied as I did ! :-) I do not understand why folks can't get along...after all, it's all about the fiddle and the immense sacrifices that are made in order to play that "devil's box"...everyone who plays (whether we think they are gifted or not) makes a huge sacrifice picking up that bow and simply trying to master an instrument that steadfastly refuses (for the most part) to be mastered ! I love the fiddle...and Heifetz, Kreisler, Thomasson, Menhuen, Kessinger, Rabun, Baker, O'Connor, Asmussen, Morris, Berline...and the list goes on. I only wish everyone understood the real sacrifices that are required to play...
        Yesterday at 10:17pm ·  · 3

      • Jason Andrew No one wants to strip you of your story Mark. No one. Your story is your own and no one else's. That being said, a good storyteller knows how to tell a story. How to make his story not sound so abrasive. So, please, tell your story, but do it in a manner that everyone will want to listen.
        And Julie Morris is one of the nicest people I know, she is very sincere. You should keep that in mind while speaking to her as well. That's all I have.
        13 hours ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Jason Andrew You don't know me personally, or you would know that I'm not trying to give you a "lesson". And since you don't need schooling on anything, I'm sure that Louis shared this saying with you as he did me. "the biggest horses ass doesn't know that he is one".
        13 hours ago via mobile · Edited ·  · 4

      • Mark O'Connor People have loved my stories and writing of them for many years. I just wrote a three-page op-ed and Strings Magazine thought it was so good, that they printed the entire thing in this month's issue! Please check it out...Yes it does push some buttons, but I have been a pushing the envelope since I was hatched it seems. Benny knew that from the very beginning - that is why my lessons with him lasted 12 to 18 hours at a time over the weekends. He singled me out, from all of them, including many of your friends. Did that ever occur to you. Why?
        8 hours ago · Edited · 

      • Michelle Bell HELLO!!! Happy Thursday, Everyone!
        13 hours ago · 

      • Michelle Bell I think I'm lost... This is not TFF....
        13 hours ago · 

      • Mark O'Connor Michelle, you know every morning I get up, and I want to put out a message for change... and asking people to help me. That we need to get something done. We are not good enough as people to just keep repeating the same old stuff over and over again - I ask people to help make the scene go forward, and not stuck in the past.. but there are always these young what - Texas Fiddle Youth -- it is like an extremist organization or something. Benny would in fact be disappointed!
        13 hours ago · 

      • Michelle Bell Mark, you should come over to Des Moines, IA and have coffee with me at Starbucks. I am all ears at 46, and want to learn all I can from guys like you. The younger ones have much to offer, too, but someone who has been at it for many years from YOUTH and still maturing as an adult (50 something) is worthy of my respect. I would imagine that you still continue to learn something new now and then... You haven't exactly said you have "arrived"... I will continue to be your "calming" FB voice. :)
        12 hours ago ·  · 1

      • Jason Andrew I have no desire to "school" anyone. Louis was proud of me. Still would be. Come to Texas, eat a bowl of beans, play some fiddle tunes. You will see that these Texas fiddle people are some of the best I know. You are welcome anytime. Happy fiddling y'all.
        12 hours ago via mobile ·  · 4

      • Mark O'Connor Jason, I have been in Texas many times. I perform there all the time. I wonder how many more people in Texas I have performed before than you? Interesting thought isn't it. As far as the Texas music scene, I don't think you have anything on me, young brother.
        12 hours ago · Edited · 

      • Jason Andrew Mark, I never said I was better than you, that I could "school" you, or any kind of crap like that. No one said our bowl of beans is different. Are you mentally ill? You and your antics are a complete waste of time. After that I'm better than you comment, I retract my invitation.
        12 hours ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Joe Sites Julie, I will take you up on that bowl of beans one of these days!!!
        12 hours ago ·  · 2

      • Michelle Bell what is it about "beans" & Texas? is it like "corn" & Iowa?
        12 hours ago · 

      • Mark O'Connor Ha! There is some of that Texas Separatist Fiddle Youth hospitality! You can come eat some beans with us, but if you don't admit that 20 year-olds know just as much about music as 50 year-olds (me), then consider that an "unvite!"
        12 hours ago · Edited · 

      • Mark O'Connor Joe, some beans would sound good. I often wonder if they keep offering me beans though, because it is the cheapest damn food they would want to part with for me. My dad was a beans guy.. when we were dirt poor, we actually had to have cans of beans for dinner in my childhood for days in a row. Like food rationing. From a total personal view, I wince a little... although I do love beans.
        12 hours ago · 

      • Jason Andrew Mark I guess you'll never know.
        11 hours ago via mobile ·  · 1

      • Jason Andrew Ya, that's it.... Lol.
        11 hours ago via mobile ·  · 1

      • David E. Coe I think this question has been asked before but I'd like to ask it again: are the comments being made by Mark O'Connor coming from Mark himself or someone that works for him?
        10 hours ago ·  · 1

      • James Reese Mills Lets get Mark whiskey drunk around the fire and see how the tune changes.
        10 hours ago · 

      • Rob Flax Hi folks! I'm here to suggest there's an additional, missing puzzle piece here: I think that if these things were said in person, the frustrations occurring might never have happened. It's REALLY hard to convey tone of voice in writing! Here's a New York Times article with more, to help shed some light on the subject:

        http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/jobs/07pre.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

        Please take a look, and then reread some of the earliest posts in this thread. It looks to me like friendly intentions have been misinterpreted, to the detriment of all parties. Michelle's Kenny Baker quote is a good one, and this is the reason why.

        Finally, here's another article on ways to improve your written communication: http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/03/18/the-power-of-the-written-word/

        I hope my comment is read with a positive, friendly tone, as intended... if not I'll have to go reread these articles more thoroughly. ;-)
        10 hours ago ·  · 3

      • Mark O'Connor Rob, you are so full of cr...........azy good information. Ha! I know what you mean! It is hard to have a sense of humor when there is so much sensitivity in the world today... it is both nice, and also annoying!
        9 hours ago · 

      • Rob Flax LOL I see what you did there. ;-)
        9 hours ago · 

      • Tony Ludiker Mark, I agree with a lot you have said, until you said you had a "storybook career" as a musician. With your dad and all the musicians that tried to undermine your efforts at certain fiddle contests, your career is every bit as "storybook" as mine.... There's a lot of pain in both our stories, and every "first-hand" effort to set "history" straight is still subject to scrutiny. Five eye-witnesses to the same traffic accident can tell five slightly different stories....
        6 hours ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Cynthia Bartlett Hamm So very right Tony! Being on the sidelines as I was, I saw a lot of what you and Mark went through. I heard people talk...so many were jealous and green with envy, but you both made it through. That's the point though...you made it and are still playing!
        6 hours ago ·  · 1

      • Mark O'Connor Tony, I want you to remember with me... these are our stories, no one else. I great NYTimes best seller list non fiction writer told me, that I MUST tell my story - it is mine to tell! A lot of people will be interested they say... So I am getting the wheels un-squeaked and rolling on it! There will be some stuff...
        6 hours ago · 

      • Stain Mclain fiddlin is for FUN FUN FUN
        5 hours ago ·  · 2

      • Tony Ludiker Tell your story, Mark. Please. And be considerate, and understand that "history" is subject to criticism.
        5 hours ago via mobile ·  · 1

      • Tony Ludiker I absolute hate, and will very rarely eat, beans. And I don't give a care what anyone thinks about that. Brisket sounds good, though.
        5 hours ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Mark O'Connor So, is it possible that people will be critical of my story, even if they have nothing to do with my story (like Bubba)? How is that possible? Are fiddlers just critical of anything and everything they can get their hands on these days?
        5 hours ago ·  · 1

      • Tony Ludiker Criticism is not necessarily a negative word. It's come to be considered that, but is not, necessarily.
        5 hours ago via mobile · 

      • Mark O'Connor Ya, but when it comes from the Separatist Texas Fiddle Youth Movement, well... I guess they are sensitive creatures deep down inside somewhere!
        5 hours ago · Edited ·  · 1

      • Cynthia Bartlett Hamm Mark...unfortunately criticism spans many directions of study and professions. Critical people are not confined to just one musical study or form. No matter who you are there will be someone who does not agree with your approach to fiddling/music. This is all part of the "human condition" (good, bad or otherwise). Take it all in stride, and write YOUR story. We may not all agree, but that's part of who we are. Personally, I look forward to reading your book. You are and forever will be one of my very favorite musicians!
        4 hours ago ·  · 2

      • Stain Mclain mr oconner why did you start fiddlin in the first place was it because you were enjoying yourself? what happened?
        4 hours ago · 

      • Michelle Putnam At the risk of being totally redundant here...My "Ol' Dad' Baker used to caution: "THE LEAST SAID IS THE EASIEST MENDED." Further, I wonder if all of these Mark posts are actually attributable to him...I have myriad doubts due to the rabidity of some of the phrasing (pun intended LOL) used...
        3 hours ago ·  · 3

      • Tony Ludiker Be it known, all words posted under the moniker "Tony Ludiker" are actually my own words, rabid phrasing or not! Just sayin'
        2 hours ago via mobile ·  · 7

      • Michelle Putnam ♥ it :-))))) !!!! And mine as well...reckon that means we've had our shots, Tony !! ;-)
        2 hours ago ·  · 1

      • Tony Ludiker If not Mark's actual words, Mark's implicit approval.
        2 hours ago via mobile ·  · 3

      • Jimmie Bates Don't do it JD control yourself!! Oh, you know you want to! No, show some control!!!
        2 hours ago via mobile ·  · 3

      • Michelle Putnam To paraphrase an old friend named Waymore..."Don't you think this fiddlin' bit's done got out of hand?" LOL LOL !!!
        2 hours ago ·  · 1

      • Joe Sites Do it jimmyDon!!
        2 hours ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Dan Stewart Do it!
        about an hour ago via mobile ·  · 2

      • Junior Marriott i'm gonna write a song for mark. what should i call it?? oh i know.... the voices in my head ain't real.... ain't real like Texas Beans...
        about an hour ago ·  · 1

      • Junior Marriott just working on my new song.
        55 minutes ago ·  · 1

      • Julie Amundson There is no separatist movement, not one person is wanting to strip anyone of titles or say they don't fit in a music genre. Nobody is trying to "school" anyone, threaten anyone, exclude anyone etc.. These ideas are solely the idea of their creator / author / intern. How is it so hard for that person to believe that people are sincere when they say "come on over for dinner and lets play tunes"??? I am not telling anyone what comments to like or not like but please think twice about what you believe in posts here. Many people that were insulted by such a remark as "Separatist Texas Youth Movement" could care less what style you play, what instrument you play, where you live, and if you like beans or not. These good people that simply love music and would welcome anyone in to their homes for whatever meal and a jam session.
        53 minutes ago ·  · 3

      • Sonny-Lisa Hopkins Over the past few months, we have watched several young Texas-style fiddlers be provoked by angry comments, which in turn caused them to post angry replies. Having known these fiddlers for years, we can honestly say that they are the most respectful group of young adults that we know, that they love music, and that they feel strongly about protecting the reputations of those who cannot now speak for themselves. We have sat silently knowing that a public forum is not the place for this type of battle, but enough is enough.

        Below is an example of how the above posts have been edited from earlier today. Please note the ---DONE GONE--- as comments that have been deleted. This has been going on for months, and we have collected several examples that we don’t want to post publicly so please let this stop!

        For those of you who have not met these young adults, keep an open mind and forget that they were ever called the Separatist Texas Fiddle Youth Movement, a phrase that in no way describes them.
        50 minutes ago · Edited ·  · 3

      • Sonny-Lisa Hopkins ARCHIVE OF TODAY’S POSTS:

        Jason Andrew No one wants to strip you of your story Mark. No one. Your story is your own and no one else's. That being said, a good storyteller knows how to tell a story. How to make his story not sound so abrasive. So, please, tell your story, but do it in a manner that everyone will want to listen.
        And Julie Morris is one of the nicest people I know, she is very sincere. You should keep that in mind while speaking to her as well. That's all I have.
        4 hours ago via mobile · Like · 1

        ---DONE GONE---
        Mark O'Connor Jason, I would appreciate it if you would not attempt to keep giving me "social" lessons. I have probably have socialized and worked with 1,000 times more musicians than you have - and successfully. Is it not odd to you that a 20 something year old (you) is telling a 51 year-old veteran who has played music all over the world, even in the political hot spots from Syria, to Burma, to Egypt to Northern Ireland, to Columbia...how to get along with people? And somehow you are insinuating that it is me... who is socializing wrongly? It is a stretch young man.
        3 hours ago · Edited · Like · 1
        ----

        Jason Andrew You don't know me personally, or you would know that I'm not trying to give you a "lesson". And since you don't need schooling on anything, I'm sure that Louis shared this saying with you as he did me. "the biggest horses ass doesn't know that he is one".
        4 hours ago via mobile · Edited · Like · 2

        ---EDITED---
        Mark O'Connor And the story teller criticism. People have loved my stories and writing of them for many years. I just wrote a three-page op-ed and Strings Magazine thought it was so good, that they printed the entire thing in this month's issue! Please check it out...Yes it does push some buttons, but I have been an pushing the envelope since I was hatched it seems. Benny knew that from the very beginning - that is why my lessons with him lasted 12 to 18 hours at a time over the weekends. He singled me out, from all of them, including many of your friends. Did that ever occur to you. Why?
        4 hours ago · Like
        ---

        Michelle Bell HELLO!!! Happy Thursday, Everyone!
        4 hours ago · Like

        ---DONE GONE---
        Mark O'Connor Jason, I don;t need schooling from you. Are you suggesting you want to school me?
        4 hours ago · Like
        ---

        Michelle Bell I think I'm lost... This is not TFF....
        4 hours ago · Like

        Mark O'Connor Michelle, you know every morning I get up, and I want to put out a message for change... and asking people to help me. That we need to get something done. We are not good enough as people to just keep repeating the same old stuff over and over again - I ask people to help make the scene go forward, and not stuck in the past.. but there are always these young what - Texas Fiddle Youth -- it is like an extremist organization or something. Benny would in fact be disappointed!
        4 hours ago · Like

        Michelle Bell Mark, you should come over to Des Moines, IA and have coffee with me at Starbucks. I am all ears at 46, and want to learn all I can from guys like you. The younger ones have much to offer, too, but someone who has been at it for many years from YOUTH and still maturing as an adult (50 something) is worthy of my respect. I would imagine that you still continue to learn something new now and then... You haven't exactly said you have "arrived"... I will continue to be your "calming" FB voice.
        3 hours ago · Like

        Jason Andrew I have no desire to "school" anyone. Louis was proud of me. Still would be. Come to Texas, eat a bowl of beans, play some fiddle tunes. You will see that these Texas fiddle people are some of the best I know. You are welcome anytime. Happy fiddling y'all.
        3 hours ago via mobile · Like · 2

        Mark O'Connor Jason, I have been in Texas many times. I perform there all the time. I wonder how many more people in Texas I have performed before than you? Interesting thought isn't it. As far as the Texas music scene, I don't think you have anything on me, young brother.
        3 hours ago · Edited · Like

        ---DONE GONE---
        Mark O'Connor I just reject out of hand this kind of separatist Rick Perry of Fiddling crap. It is insulting to me, for you to treat me as some kind of foreigner who "should visit" and see how your bowl of beans is different. I know Texas as well as any state in the country, including states I have lived in.
        3 hours ago · Like
        ---

        Jason Andrew Mark, I never said I was better than you, that I could "school" you, or any kind of crap like that. No one said our bowl of beans is different. Are you mentally ill? You and your antics are a complete waste of time. After that I'm better than you comment, I retract my invitation.
        3 hours ago via mobile · Like

        Joe Sites Julie, I will take you up on that bowl of beans one of these days!!!
        3 hours ago · Like

        Michelle Bell what is it about "beans" & Texas? is it like "corn" & Iowa?
        3 hours ago · Like

        Mark O'Connor Ha! There is some of that Texas Separatist Fiddle Youth hospitality! You can come eat some beans with us, but if you don't admit that 20 year-olds know just as much about music as 50 year-olds (me), then consider that an "unvite!"
        3 hours ago · Edited · Like

        Mark O'Connor Joe, some beans would sound good. I often wonder if they keep offering me beans though, because it is the cheapest damn food they would want to part with for me. My dad was a beans guy.. when we were dirt poor, we actually had to have cans of beans for dinner in my childhood for days in a row. Like food rationing. From a total personal view, I wince a little... although I do love beans.
        3 hours ago · Like

        Jason Andrew Mark I guess you'll never know.
        2 hours ago via mobile · Like

        ---DONE GONE---
        Mark O'Connor I will never know what it is like to have to eat beans for meals?
        2 hours ago · Like
        ---

        Jason Andrew Ya, that's it.... Lol.
        2 hours ago via mobile · Like

        ---DONE GONE---
        Mark O'Connor Oh, having beans with the separatist youth fiddlers... that must be a different experience. Is there any sort of costume. I used to wear the big round belt buckles to be accepted in the old days! A bunch of rituals actually. They were mostly very visible. The membership rituals today must be what... more secretive now...?
        2 hours ago · Like
        ---

        David E. Coe I think this question has been asked before but I'd like to ask it again: are the comments being made by Mark O'Connor coming from Mark himself or someone that works for him?
        about an hour ago · Like

        James Reese Mills Lets get Mark whiskey drunk around the fire and see how the tune changes.
        about an hour ago · Like

        Rob Flax Hi folks! I'm here to suggest there's an additional, missing puzzle piece here: I think that if these things were said in person, the frustrations occurring might never have happened. It's REALLY hard to convey tone of voice in writing! Here's a New York Times article with more, to help shed some light on the subject:

        http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/jobs/07pre.html?_r=2&oref=slogin

        Please take a look, and then reread some of the earliest posts in this thread. It looks to me like friendly intentions have been misinterpreted, to the detriment of all parties. Michelle's Kenny Baker quote is a good one, and this is the reason why.

        Finally, here's another article on ways to improve your written communication: http://www.littlethingsmatter.com/blog/2010/03/18/the-power-of-the-written-word/

        I hope my comment is read with a positive, friendly tone, as intended... if not I'll have to go reread these articles more thoroughly.
        59 minutes ago · Like

        Mark O'Connor Rob, you are so full of cr...........azy good information. Ha! I know what you mean! It is hard to have a sense of humor when there is so much sensitivity in the world today... it is both nice, and also annoying!
        47 minutes ago · Like

        Rob Flax LOL I see what you did there.
        46 minutes ago · Like
        51 minutes ago ·  · 3

      • Dan Stewart You should read the stuff he'll send to your inbox if you don't agree with him.
        34 minutes ago via mobile ·  · 2



...and two days later, the corner has turned.

I would like to apologize for the excessive posts in the past few weeks. My personal manager has also been complaining that I should not be writing this way with you good folks. I admit that I can push buttons and have a mischievous sense of humor. And my intern(s) pick up on that some perhaps... I don't know. I have posted much though myself, and I take responsibility of course. I would like to ask forgiveness, and to please move forward. I probably should leave the site again, although some of it has been positive for me, and I hope for others. I do really enjoy the fiddlers here, and lots of you I have met, some are old friends. The rest of you who I have not met personally, I wish nothing but goodwill and the best - truly! With much appreciation and humility for rocking the boat just a little too hard, as always, in respect, MOC
 ·  ·  · 13 hours ago

  • Rob Flax and 25 others like this.

    • Nance Lehman This statement sounds much more like the MOC I know than a lot of what has been posted lately.
      13 hours ago ·  · 4

    • Mike Schway Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps your interns should post under their own names (or at the very least make that clear when they're posting under your account).
      13 hours ago ·  · 1

    • Tina Bugs bravo, this sounds more like a master's talk. Thanks
      12 hours ago ·  · 3

    • Karen Stillman Creative geniuses are usually cut a lot of slack for being colorful! Don't leave the discussions, Mark! What a loss that would be.
      12 hours ago ·  · 2

    • Jimmie Bates Great comment Mark! Everyone loves you again. Now can we please get back to your contest record!
      11 hours ago via mobile ·  · 10

    • Don Busch Love your music, Mark. Feel free to stay and share. We get a lot from it. Thanks for the comment.
      11 hours ago ·  · 1

    • Stain Mclain personal manager?
      10 hours ago ·  · 1

    • Cynthia Bartlett Hamm Mark, you are not only a wonderful fiddler/musician, but a wonderful person and I am glad to say that I've known you for many years. Must say...this sounded like the "Mark" that I've always known. Can't wait to read your story! BTW...there are many of us to do appreciate the knowledge you bring!
      8 hours ago ·  · 3

    • Dan Kerin Shame.. I thought your antics were hilarious
      7 hours ago ·  · 1

    • Evan Meeker I didn't
      6 hours ago via mobile ·  · 5

    • Beebee Simmons Don't leave Mark you are fine just took a little time seemed like everybody mellowed out last night I thought it was hilarious and could use it in a screen play the dialogue was good and turned out loving in the end. I know you are stressed with work and have to use another person to talk for you sometimes. Be Well and you are not allowed to get hurt. Thanks for posting your son. and again I have been told a lot of stuff that a hoedown is 4/4 and 2/4 and 6/8 amazing nobody said 12/8 though
      3 hours ago · 

    • Andrew Rogers Hang in there, Mark. ;) Your input is appreciated.
      about an hour ago · Edited · 

    • Michael Rolland Glad to see this. Sometimes Facebook threads can take on a life of their own and turn into something we never intended. Most everyone on here seems to be kind, respectful people at heart and I think it's good that we can hit the reset button and put this behind us.

Updated 9/17.
The Facebook Fiddlers' Association admins have taken action aimed at controlling the vitriol:


Please read the new Mission Statement and Terms of Service for the Facebook Fiddlers' Association. We have added some more administrators from among the membership as well. Just want everyone to know we are doing our best to make this a friendly, lively and interesting discussion group!

MISSION STATEMENT:

This group was inaugurated several years ago by fiddlers and teachers Donna Hébert, Richard Blaustei
n and Vi Wickham to celebrate fiddling in all it's forms, styles, regional genres and skill levels. With more than 2200 current members, we could be the biggest group of fiddlers on the planet! That is something to treasure and cultivate.

We are here to find common ground through fiddling. In an increasingly polarized world, being able to communicate openly about an activity we love should be a positive experience, allowing us to spend time talking and listening to each other.

We are all from different states, countries, fiddling traditions, political and religious backgrounds, with different skill levels. Some of us are teachers, some professional musicians, some are part-time musicians, some are students, some are amateurs, some don't play at all but love the music. ALL are welcome at this table.

And that, simply put, is our mission.

TERMS OF SERVICE:

Membership in Facebook Fiddlers' Association is a privilege, not an entitlement. Recently, there have been problems with people fighting in the group online and it's gotten out of hand. While we began this group as an open, unmonitored group, we will now be monitoring the group on a regular basis.

Please read these guidelines for membership in our group. If you cannot agree to them, please remove yourself from the forum. If you break these rules, you will receive one warning from one of the administrators. A second incident constitutes grounds for permanent removal by the administrators. Personal attacks on the administrators will be reported to Facebook and can be considered by Facebook as grounds for denying your access to Facebook. This is serious, so please pay attention!

1. No flaming, trolling, character assassination, bullying, ugly negative remarks or personal vendettas will be tolerated. No exceptions, no excuses, no "he started it." No means no, period. If we don't do this, we are in danger of losing our right to use Facebook for this forum. We are simply following the Facebook Terms of Service Agreement, which states the following under:
Safety: #6. You will not bully, intimidate or harass any user.
Safety: #7. You will not post content that is hate speech or threatening.

2. Members will not overuse the Facebook Fiddlers' Association for self-promotion. We did not start this group to provide a marketing outlet. This means we should not be on your daily PR mailing list. A bi-monthly gig update would be sufficient, along with a short note and link announcing new CD, book and video releases or educational opportunities for fiddlers. While this does NOT mean that you won't be able to post videos of yourself, it DOES mean you should be posting at least as many videos about other fiddlers you admire. We will monitor posts and after notifying the member, remove any we consider excessive self-promotion.

3. Keep the discussion to fiddling and music. There are plenty of other places on Facebook where we can debate or discuss politics and/or religion. Here is most definitely NOT one of them.

WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THIS FORUM?

1. We DO want to hear your stories about fiddling heroes past and present.
2. We DO want to watch videos you may have of performances you find inspiring.
3. We DO want to hear tunes you love, via video or audio.
4. We DO want you to share sheet music for any tunes. Any copyrighted material needs to carry a copyright notice. Sharing material here is considered 'educational fair use.'.
5. We DO want to hear about your breakthroughs as fiddlers or teachers, your struggles to master techniques, your personal fiddling journeys.

EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATORS:

Donna Hébert & Richard Blaustein - questions about the list in general

Vi Wickam - technical questions about using the forum, uploading, creating events.

OTHER ADMINISTRATORS:
Steve Goldfield, BeeBee Simmons, Julie Lyonn Lieberman, Rusty Neithammer, Mike Jarboe, Michelle Putnam




1 comment:

  1. Hey I appreciate your blog!

    I had a similar experience with MOC that I'm sharing at my blog:

    http://matthewcweiss.wordpress.com/

    Musicians Unite!

    ---Matthew C Weiss

    ReplyDelete