Blackberry-Checkers, Be Damned
There's a certain protocol when you're in the presence of a songwriting legend. You listen carefully, you watch in awe of his or her genius, and you basically let the rest of the world slip away. Unless you're That Dude Who Keeps Checking His Blackberry. During an intimate listening party at Nashville's Bluebird Café, as songwriter Don Schlitz was onstage doing his thing, The Tennessean newspaper's Peter Cooper noticed That Dude. There's usually a few at every concert, obnoxiously checking emails during a show. What's worse, this guy was right in the second row. What the hell could be so important that it couldn't wait until after Schlitz had finished his set? Especially on a Monday night during a holiday week. Do you have to know that your company's office fridge is getting cleaned out tomorrow morning? Or that your daughter's soccer practice was canceled? Schlitz is the brilliant mind behind hits like Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler," Randy Travis' "On the Other Hand" and Keith Whitley's "When You Say Nothing at All." I'm glad Cooper outed That Dude and, hopefully, shamed him into cutting the hi-tech apron strings next time around.
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cj5 says:
Alison I want to say you have been writing some really interesting blogs lately. Thanks! It is very annoying and disrespectful when anyone will not shut your phone and music off when around a lot of people trying to watch a show. I wish it could get back to respecting each other and not thinking the world is just yours.
hotelmotel says:
I do see the blackberry checkers as annoying, but no more annoying than those who go to concerts primarily to get drunk or to make rude remarks about the performers to their friends.
Blackberries are new (sort of). But what isn’t new is the fact that many people are interested in doing things other than hearing music at concerts.
Kevin says:
I agree hotelmotel. I am all for having a great time at a concert, and I usually drink a few while im there, but you’re right, alot of people get out of hand and are only there to drink and party and they dont pay any attention to the music. I think that is ridiculous. If you arent there for the music then why be there at all. It seems like a waste of money to me…buying a 50 dollar or more concert ticket just to go in and not pay attention to the show.
hotelmotel says:
I don’t understand it either - Kevin. Why go if you don’t want to be there? If you wanna go to a bar, do that instead.
RedMaZ says:
Ever heard the band “Blackberry Smoke”? They describe their music as, Southern Rock/Bluegrass/Country. Blackberry Smoke(the band) is from Georgia.
RedMaZ says:
It’s the first Blackberry connection I thought of.