There are many organizations that seem to feel that blues music is in need of life support. “Keeping the Blues Alive” is common theme in the mission statement of several blues organizations such as the Cincy Blues Society. The Blues Music Foundation presents an award for “Keeping the Blues Alive” annually. Other organizations, such as the Mississippi Valley Blues Society, seek to “preserve” the music. Several groups seek to do both! I wonder if the blues knows it's in such rough shape!
I feel that musical expression, especially older roots music styles, only survive because they are living traditions and thrive because people continue to play and listen to them. They are listened to studied, shared and open to interpretation and “fair use.” Sometimes these interpretations lead to “new” style. Some refer to these new styles as “fruits” which of course, cannot survive without the roots.
Blues is a tradition that arose as a popular style in the black community around the turn of the 20th century. It fell off the popular radar as that community's interest moved on to Jazz, R&B and Soul and became incorporated into other popular styles such as Bluegrass and Rock & Roll. However, it has never disappeared and has indeed, resurfaced from time to time such as during the “Revival” of the late fifties and early sixties.
“Keeping the Blues” alive implies that it is too weak, vulnerable or unhealthy to survive on its own. I don't believe this is the case. This argument was used to secure funding for the House of Blues club chain. Surprisingly they rarely sponsor blues concerts. Organizations such as the
Blues Music Association try to fulfill this mission by promoting the Blues Music “industry” much the same way the Country Music Association represents Country artists, producers, record labels, and other professionals. The CMA has certainly made what they call country music popular, but I wonder if the originators and early stars like Hank Williams and Jimmie Rogers would recognize it. Popular music these days is generally a watered down form that owes its popularity more to corporate money and access to media then talent and artistic integrity, never mind audience demand. Popular music may sometimes incorporate elements of roots music, but the result is usually forgettable and “sweet.” I'll take my blues straight up, rough and dirty, thank you just the same!
When something is “preserved” it is actually killed (stay with me here)! For instance,when fruit is preserved it is picked or boiled and bottled in sugar water. Vegetables are picked and pickled or boiled and canned. Meat is dessicated (covered in salt) and or smoked and hung. Flora specimens are picked and pressed between glass, fauna specimens are placed in killing jars and pinned under glass. Even nonlethal preserves like nature preserves are fabricated environments made to look like, but never can be, the real thing. I don't know about you, but give me the real thing over canned goods or a museum piece any time!
You want to “keep the blues alive?” Go to a live show. Join an organization like the Music Maker Relief Foundation or the Rhythm and Blues Foundation that gives direct financial aid to those that helped create and sustain the music. Buy CDs by independent roots musicians. Support and celebrate a living, changing and thriving tradition. Being popular and being vital are not the same thing!
