Re: [Harp-L] Bob Dylan Signature Harmonica Gripe

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Sep 9, 2008, at 1:01 AM, John Brockus wrote:

> About Steve Martin, just to cloud the issue:
>
> He does have a Grammy award for a recording playing banjo...
>
> "Best Country Instrumental Performance"
>
> Of course, he was backing up Earl Scruggs...
> _______________________________________________
Early in his career, Steve brought out the banjo as part of his  
schtick, but lately, he has only played it seriously. As for being  
famous as a prerequisite
to getting something named after you, I can name 10 'nose  
stretchers', 15 'buglers', and 10 'liquorice stick' suckers, NONE of  
whom have a trombone, trumpet or clarinet named after them. Believe  
it or not, 1 is Woody Allen. THAT's getting pretty famous. The whole  
signature thing is just plain silly.

The problem with naming something after someone is that it is  
subjective. I call everyone's attention to the old 'Playboy Jazz  
Poll' which placed Miles Davis at #UNO trumpet for years and years.  
In actuality, according to the 'Trumpet players list', he ranks  
somewhere around 8th or 9th. Les Paul is a marvelous player but he's  
not the best. I don't think he's the most famous either.

If 'I' were to put out a 'signature' guitar, it would be 'Los Indios  
Tabaljares'. Signature vibes would be Cal Tjader. Signature  
trumpet..Harry James. Signature chromatic..Hendrik Meurkens.  
Signature diatonic..Howard Levy. See what I mean? It's all subjective.

smo-joe