The Steel Guitar Forum

I've sometimes wondered just how much a recording artist's appearance influences their success. There is some great music out there by very ordinary looking people that doesn't go far, and there is some rather pedestrian music out there by rather good looking folks which makes it to the top.

One example of this quandary is Shania Twain. I personally think she is very talented and would have had a good measure of success just based on that alone. But then she is also model-esque in her appearance, and perhaps as a combination of talent and looks she is a huge hit overall. How much do you suppose her good looks have made a difference in how much airplay and general promotion she has received? Or others like her? And how about others who look more like the average person and whose talent has gotten less than its deserved attention?

Well, I think if yer ugly and you play bad, you will have little success. Does that prove your point?

Hey, Jim, I wasn't talking about just me here, though you've got me pegged.

How many "ugly" prime-time, or excuse me,
any-time, NEWS spokespeople do you see?

Bill--just look at all the Nashville, Mtv,
Cvs, BTU, CIA channels that have music/videos.

Not many barkers. Probably the last near-recent great singer who was well over-weight,
but just a dear & with a heart of gold, was
Cass Elliot [Mama Cass].

Today, I feel Mama wouldn't have a prayer. Although she pulled it off back then. But then again, we're talking Mama Cass here,
the indominitable Mama Cass.

It depends on the style of music, and on what type of audience your music is aimed at. Younger people tend to be more visually oriented, and today's pop-country is aimed at younger people. Older people, like people who listen to Jazz, for instance, could care less what you look like. It's the same with blues and...to some extent, classical music (although they "try" nowadays to keep classical performers "image conscious, as well).

Bottom line is that sex appeal and attitude (antics?), dramatically increases your sales in certain genres. Young buyers today are still buying based more on the "image" than the musical talent. The only talent most young people recognize and appreciate is the talent of "getting attention".

Donny, I appreciate what you're saying, and it's true enough, but;
I have to honestly say, I've seen our own crowd of hard-core steelers get sucked in a few times by either eye-candy,nostalgia, or theatrics. I remember watching a fiddler at a convention once who was a terrific stage acrobat with really lousy harmonic conception. Most of the audience sang his praises after the tent had been folded up... and praised his "great stage presence", while I cringed in the back row with my eyes closed.
I've seen steel players so sanctified (for good reason) by the community that a recording of them passing gas would be met with round applause.
The odd time you even see a good steeler denigrated by the crowd over their appearance/presence.... (needs a haircut, etc.) while those same people would claim sound over appearance to be the important thing.
I dunno.... everybody's different. Everybody places importance on a different thing.
Myself, I go with Miles Davis' comments, roughly paraphrased as: "I don't care if he's pink with purple polka-dots, as long as he can blow".
I may, however, be in the minority.
-John <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by John Steele on 25 November 2002 at 11:37 AM.]</p></FONT>

"Well, I think if yer ugly and you play bad, you will have little success"

Geesh...Ugly and a bad player...and I thought all I had to do was practice and get better at the Steel and I would be playing the Hollwood Bowl or the Garden in no time.

How about if we wear those Spandex Pants Suits while we play, will that help ?

tp<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 24 November 2002 at 02:57 AM.]</p></FONT>

...Well, I think if yer ugly and you play bad, you will have little success. Does that prove your point?...

I am well qualified in all three areas so the point is well-made


www.genejones.com <FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 24 November 2002 at 04:30 AM.]</p></FONT>

I love it, Gene. Pat

Charles Reece told me, that I raised the bar for looks among the N.C./S.C. steel guitar community when I took up steel! And I ain't much to look at.

Actually one aproach is to be a comedian and musician so you can have people laugh at your jokes and sigh at your music, however if they sigh at your jokes and laugh at your music, you might have a problem. Sort of like the pro football player, when asked if he was superstitious. He replied , only in one way. He feels it is bad luck to be behind, when the game is over.

Suppose there was a female pedal steel player with supermodel good looks and could play like any of the legendary pickers? That would be a combination of music, beauty and success that I could appreciate. If she ever materializes on the Grand Ole Opry, I just might start watching that show again.

I sure think Donna Hammit (sp?) is real pretty and a very good steel player.

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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

...and lest we forget...BARBARA MANDRELL...<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 26 November 2002 at 01:30 PM.]</p></FONT>

That might explain it...
<img align=right src="http://www.joeyace.com/img/ugly.jpg">

I was making a similar point to a few house guests on Thanksgiving evening. I can't recall which "diva" sparked the conversation; seems that it must have been Leanne Rhimes and a football 1/2-time production.

I said, "Us Haggard fans don't much care what the singer LOOKS like, although Merle was a good looking guy at one time... I'll show ya." I pulled out several old album covers to prove my point.

I agree that the MTV/video age has placed greater emphasis on physical appearance, but it seems to me that charisma has always involved an element physical attractiveness.

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HagFan

The flip side of this:
If a contemporary singer becomes
a star (without the looks of a model)
most likely they have a really great voice,
soul, interpretive abilities, or songwriting skills. I don't want to name any names...:^) --Joel