Comments on: Someone named Susan Boyle appeared with me on Oprah

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 27 May 2010 06:58:23 +0000

What an interesting story, Dave. I missed it the first time around but enjoyed it now. I very much agree with Damon about “capitalization,” as Susan Boyle is loving every minute of the new career she got out of BGT. She had the talent, but it took a viral YouTube video to launch her. The biggest winners, besides the lady herself, are the multitude of fans who absolutely love her singing. Priceless!

P.S. Dave, did you ever live in Kansas? I knew a David Belden there, long ago.

By: Patricia

Patricia — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:43:44 +0000

Wow, how cool you got to play for Susan Boyle !

By: Damon

Damon — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:32:30 +0000

Dave, what fun! But allow me to weigh in in the “exploitation” debate, which seems to have raised some discussion.

I think you have mixed up “exploitation” with “capitalization” . . . especially in your follow up comments in which you say “exploitation” can be a good and bad thing.

“Capitalization” of an opportunity can be a great thing everyone one involved: Susan Boyle, the Record Company (aka the evil corporation “exploiting” her), Oprah Winfrey, “we” the audience who enjoy her story, and every one in between.

Make no mistake, no one mentioned above would trade this experience! Susan Boyle is thrilled to be in stage . . . I love hearing the story . . . you love playing for her on Oprah Winfrey . . . and the record company enjoys raking in the profits (and sharing a percentage with Susan let’s not forget!)

We have all capitalized on this chain of events.

“Exploitation” is taking advantage of “capitalization” in an unfair way: such as child actors who say they wished they had never been on TV (Gary Coleman anyone?) They were “Exploited” both by the corporation that hired them AND the parents who made the ultimate decision that the child actor was denied. Those who are exploited either did not have a part of the decision, or were mislead somehow.

My analysis may be flawed somewhat . . .but I am certainly not going to lose any sleep over the exploitation of Susan Boyle. If living your dream means being exploited, than sign me up to be exploited please!

By: Phyllis

Phyllis — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:29:31 +0000

Love your write-up, Dave. It will be fun to pass this along to my friends & tell them my cousin’s son is the shiny purple spot behind Susan’s shoulder!

By: Your Wedding Crashers

Your Wedding Crashers — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:25:43 +0000

Hi Dave! What a cool experience for you and what a touching write up. Thanks for describing so perfectly what it was like for you. I’m all emotional now.

XOXOXO
Cathy & Bas

By: Chuck Barthelme

Chuck Barthelme — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:34:50 +0000

I must admit, though I’d heard of her, I’d never actually heard her sing. I just went back and watched her audition for Britain’s Got Talent on youtube. WOW! I can’t believe she made it that far in life without someone noticing she could sing like that!

Pretty cool to play with her, though that Violin part looks a touch boring.

Cheers!
Chuck

By: neighbor Dave

neighbor Dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 22:27:13 +0000

as far as shooting for coverage is concerned… I’m sure they had enough cameras rolling and as each camera is iso’d (isolated, as in being taped independently) they were able to go in a fix whatever missed shots there were, if any, in post.

I’ll bet you’re right about the choir, too. Why would that be live if you weren’t. I also heard other backing tracks… drums, bass, etc.

I can hear the director and producer in the booth after the take, “We got it. Moving on.”

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:53:24 +0000

It’s also not that common for big-name artists to interact with musicians in a “pick-up” group like this. The couple exceptions I can think of were Mel Torme and Bjork, both of whom worked pretty closely with us to get the sound they wanted. Of course, the difference there is that we could actually be heard.

I certainly wasn’t put out that Susan didn’t say much to us, and wouldn’t have expected it, anyway.

And I truly hope she’s having a good time, and that she’s able to stay in control of her career.

By: Aaron G

Aaron G — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:07:30 +0000

Cool post, Dave. Interesting. What a neat experience you got to have!

p.s. MT, I’ll give you a chiffon reveal… Right in the kisser.*

* I’m not sure what that means.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:51:41 +0000

I think exploitation can be both good and bad. And Boyle is certainly exploiting this moment herself. Heck, so am I! But we’ve all seen the ugly side over the years as well.