Singing the blues in Alberta
p2pnet.net news:- Young musicians in Alberta are singing the blues. For real.
Once upon a time, budding players could do their thing in bars and lounges, as long as they had their parents’ permission and a liquor control commission youth permit.
Not any more. The liquor commission has decided it alone knows best and now no one under the age of 18 will be allowed.
“Many professional musicians have cut their teeth and mentored under music masters in such settings, including Calgary blues guitarist Johnny V, aka Mills, who played in bars and lounges when he was young and now jams with underage musicians, including his 15-year-old son,” says Jazz Elements.
That’s Johnny V and son James on the right.
The young musicians ban, “came as part of a reversal of a policy the commission had introduced which would allow children as young as 12 to work in kitchens at licensed establishments,” says the story.
“The public responded loudly on the issue, causing the commission to reverse the decision with a ruling that covers all underage children, affecting the youth musicians that currently perform in bars and lounges.”
Jazz Elements has the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission’s Marilyn Carlyle-Helms saying, “I think they just took a blanket sort of a protection view â⬦ given some of the kinds of things that youths can be exposed to in a bar, for example violence”.
However, “Julian Nowicki, Chair of the AGLC Board, made a comment in a media release March 16th that the commission will need to ‘reconsider’ this ruling, based on the concern that Albertans have made it clear they view young musicians playing in a bar as different than having underage kids working in kitchens on a regular basis.”
Johnny V now has an online petition going on themsicianslounge.com. It reads:
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 14:45:25 -0600
To: Honourable Greg MelchinFrom: Johnny V
Subject: Underage Musicians’ Performance
Cc: Honourable Ed Stelmach
Dear Mr. Melchin:
It’s been brought to my attention that the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) has been instructed by the province to no longer issue special permission for underage musicians to perform in a licensed premise. By eliminating these venues from the equation this legislation has stymied a very real opportunity for Alberta’s young musicians to develop, groom and apply themselves by interacting with journeymen musicians who can teach and instruct them in their chosen profession. This situation is very unique and should be dealt with on a case to case basis at the discretion of an AGLC inspector and not by a blanket policy initiated by the province. I’m not talking about a 12 year old working as a dishwasher in a bar to make a little extra pocket money.
Do you have a favourite band, musician, or song? I’d be willing to bet these artists have all developed their skills by a similar if not the same method that I speak of in this letter. Every profession requires this process, doctors must intern, lawyers must article, etc. This type of interaction is all important in the growth of anyone in order to ply their chosen profession. Think of it as a tradesman’s apprenticeship, they must receive both formal and on the job training in order to graduate. A musician can’t read about, or buy this type of knowledge, it’s what’s known as “walking the walk”, or perhaps “paying your dues” might fit.
I’m a father and home owner living in your riding who along with my wife of 20 years is raising our 15 year old son, a very gifted musician (third generation). Throughout 2006 he performed on weekends with my band out of town and began the practical hands on learning experience every musician requires. On January 1st 2007 Calgary became a non-smoking city and my son was finally able to perform with my band locally. It required faxing the necessary information to an AGLC office and they would review it and then fax back an approved form which clearly states the minor may only be in the club when they are on stage performing and must exit during breaks.
My stage name is Johnny V, known in many countries around the world as Alberta’s Unofficial Blues Ambassador. I’m a Juno award winning songwriter and professional musician who’s career started 40 years ago at the age of 15 performing in taverns, bars, and clubs when the drinking age was 21 and I had to abide by the the same rules then as the AGLC states now. It was through this opportunity to interact with seasoned professionals that I developed my skills as an artist and garnered the respect of the international music community through live performance, recordings and teaching master-classes.
This ruling by the province has stolen a golden opportunity for young musicians to flourish and achieve their goals. Perhaps it’s time to move my family out of this province and advise my contemporaries who are raising their families to do the same. Have bleeding heart Liberals and special interest lobby groups finally crushed the common sense of this Progressive Conservative government?
I appeal to you to bring this matter before the Honourable Ed Stelmach for review.
Please take time to visit my website at http://www.johnnyv.org, also at CBC Radio2’s website http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/singleConcert.html?20070319johnv
Thank you for your time and I look forward to your prompt reply.
sincerely
Johnny V
Also See:
Jazz Elements – Alberta musicianââ¬â¢s speak out against new ruling that affects underage players, March 28, 2007
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