Bob Findlay...Blues Rock from Tasmania

There is a myriad of differing views on the treatment of a musicians fans by the musician.

When at the grass-roots level, musicians are generally playing to crowds largely made up of people that they know by one or two degrees of separation. It is at this early stage where a musician or band can make or break themselves.

To my mind this point in ones? career is crucial. The opportunity to interact personally with people who have gone to the bother of seeing what you have to offer carries so much latent support down the track. Early followers of your music are far less likely to follow you further afield, if that opportunity arises, if you isolate yourself from them when they?re right in front of you.

How many stories have you heard from early Beatles fans where they took the time to sign an autograph, even before they were ?big?, or stop & have a chat, albeit brief?

Most musicians who ?hit the big time? have gone through this very same process. Showing genuine interest & appreciation of those who, in effect, helped create them. Unfortunately, these days, bands are able to skyrocket to commercial success in a relatively short period of time and are unable to enjoy the ?personal? aspect of musical interaction.

There are exceptions, however, in the form of musical wizards whos? very nature doesn?t lend itself to communicating with listeners on a personal level. Such artists are a rarity however their followers continue to support them purely on their music alone.

With the internet as it is today there is no reason that a musician at is not able to communicate personally with their fans.

The opportunity is there for every musician at any level.