Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Responding 215

Philadelphia music has been bursting with potential for many years now. This should be a constant topic in this paper and all around town every week [Cover story, "Get Rocked," Patrick Rapa, Sept. 16, 2004]. There have always been artists that could be very successful if only there were a few very crucial support systems in place.

City government has no vested interest in its music community. The example of Texas' state-run Music Office in Austin is a perfect one. Something of this nature could work beautifully in Philadelphia.
It has been many years since a radio station in Philadelphia heavily promoted a local artist – Pierre Robert and the Hooters in the early '80s. They sold tens of thousands of records here alone and were responsible for many other artists getting signed. Today there are enough potentially great artists here that the ball would certainly keep rolling.
It seems as though the press is dead set on not featuring the same artist twice. I have never understood this. The papers need to follow up on artists they have featured in the past.
When I was younger I went to shows at the Khyber Pass as much to see the national bands as I did to see my friends' bands open, or even to simply imagine myself on the stage as the opener. Local promoters are not doing enough to cultivate local artists and that is a BIG BIG bummer.

Please continue this dialogue in future issues! This could make a difference.
Brian D. McTear
Producer/Musician
via e-mail

Sharon Pinkenson is absolutely right when she says that she is "a better salesman than any ad," regarding attracting film business to Philadelphia ["Reel World," Juliet Fletcher]. Those of us who have seen Sharon in action with directors, producers, actors and location-finders, agree. Your "Marketing 215" was terrific, especially your suggestion to offer financial incentives to independent filmmakers.
Bonnie Squire
Vice Chair
Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival

Grand Old Letter

Great story [Cover Story, "Poll Position," Amy L. Webb, Sept. 9, 2004]! I particularly liked how you noticed that Ms. [Renee] Amoore was the only black person in the room besides the kitchen staff. As usual, supporters of Bush somehow seem to praise his policies without giving any examples. I wish the story of Bush's imitation of Carla Faye Tucker's pleas to spare her life (pursing his lips and whining, "Please don't kill me" in an interview with Tucker Carlson, [which was] particularly repugnant coming from the man who could have spared her life) would get more mention as an example of Bush's "compassion."

If I see another photo of the convention crowd where black folks are front-and-center, in an attempt to show the "diversity" of the Republican Party, I'm gonna be sick!
Mark F. Walker
via e-mail

Wicked Happy

We would like to thank you for taking the time to come see our show [CP Online Fringe Reviews, "Carried Away with the Wicked," John Vettese]. We can see from your review that it wasn't quite your cup of tea, but since the show, we have received numerous e-mails (all positive) and hundreds of hits to our website. We feel your review was partially responsible for this. We are Fringe performers and your review, though quite negative, actually had the opposite effect on people. We were also contacted by an "Off Broadway" producer who has interest in developing the show. Thanks again for being one of our first audience members and turning us on to Sisters of Mercy.
2Bizarre
via e-mail

Just Say No

It was interesting to read about racial marketing of menthol cigarettes [Naked City, "Puff Piece," Trish Boppert, Sept. 16, 2004]. Black communities have a right to be upset, but they need to go a step further, especially since, as noted, 90 percent of African-American teen smokers prefer menthol brands. Menthol, above all the many other untested, often toxic, carcinogenic and fire-starting non-tobacco cigarette additives, is particularly vicious. It numbs the throat, thereby shortcircuiting one's natural defenses against harmful irritation. Smokers can inflict mouth and esophagus damage on themselves all day, every day, but they just won't feel it. This is like injecting novocaine into a quarterback with a cracked leg so he can get in a few more plays. It is not enough to merely condemn cigarette manufacturers. After all, menthol and even pesticide residues, burn accelerants, and cancer-causing radiation levels from phosphate fertilizers are perfectly legal in cigarettes. Public officials, even the allegedly "anti-smoking" ones, have tolerated this for ages because they do not wish to inconvenience campaign funders in the ingredients supply industries, they don't want to harm insurance industry investments in cigarettes and ingredients, and they don't want to lose those nice regressive "sin" taxes.
John Jonik
Philadelphia

Big Daddy's Big Fans

Loved the story about Sea Isle and your night out [Naked City, "Big Daddy Graham Gets Bombed," Big Daddy Graham, Sept. 9. 2004] Classic! My only regret that it is over for now—the partying and stuff down here. Anyway, is your life always this much fun? You know, with booze, bars and babes?
Steve Graziano
Sea Isle City, N.J.

Your piece on a drunken afternoon in Sea Isle is beautiful. They should bring you on as a regular columnist—if you think your liver could handle it.

P.S. Who's Pat?
Mike Romano
Woodbury, N.J.

Great story. It made my afternoon. I'm glad to see someone can still carry the Southwest Philly torch.
Nate Lagreat
Broomall

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