For the Love of Music

I find it an interesting debate- the love and resistance of music. What is it about music that makes people turn the channel, talk openly, or act in a fit of panic?

Music is a form of expression. In this country, in civic organizations we belong, in our own homes and businesses, we allow the intrusion of music into our lives. Who determines the point when music is not appropriate for situations?

I am asking only because of a recent incident at a Chamber of Commerce event where the music from one of my stations was turned off mid-song because someone questioned if it was an "appropriate format" for this venture.

Why not?, I ask. What would be so bad about people actually bumpin' around together in the middle of a slow day at the Business Expo? What?, would the Anchorage Daily News dispatch the moles into the Egan Center to spy on the happenings there? And when they ended up reporting that people who had never met through a day long fair, were actually meeting each other because they enjoyed the music, it would be printed in a front cover story, and the Chamer would be looked at in a bad light? Perhaps it would draw a "wrong crowd" of business members into the organization. (Shhhh, liberals...)

It's an interesting study of human pyche-everyone is in the same place for the same reason, yet something entirely different, like music, establishes the one common ground needed to spark that important connection between humans. Isn't that the point of having functions such as these? Why hinder that because someone has to spend five minutes listening to music that is outside their comfort zone? In fact, I could even go so far as to argue that is actually a dis-service to the people who paid to come to this event, marketing their business, and have a good time. By monitoring the music based on personal opinion, they took the responsibily to jepordize a possible aspect no one expected.

Besides the "good time" aspect of my point, I am also insulted. The Chamber of Commerce is a membership organization that is supported, driven, and formed for members. As a member, I feel like the integrity of our sponsorship was waived when someone was uncomfortable with a particular song. Not only that, but the song was turned off in the middle- so EVERYONE knew it stopped. What upsets me the most, however, is that no one gave the curtiousy to my company to tell us what was going to transpire. One moment I'm listening to "Toosie Roll" the next moment the song is cut mid-rythm. No comprendo.

By turning off the music before telling us there was a problem was disrespectful to my product and my company. My product is music and as a sponsor, we were allowed to present the music we wanted for this event. There was no clause that stated "Overall music selection will be the final word of the Chamber of Commerce. Only listed formats are acceptable." By shutting the music off, without warning, the Chamber inadvertedly said, "Your product is not good enough for this event. We don't respect your company or your choice of music." When really, all the Chamber should be concerned about is supporting our business and the decisions we make (within reason, of course...)

This is a loosing battle, however. Nothing I say or do about this incident will help me. It will only hurt me. "Non-conformist!", I can hear them scream. "Troublemaker!" "Our organization is just fine being bone dry- so shut the hell up with your music debate."

Fine. I digress. But it makes me see clearly the politics of local civic organizations when something as simple and beautiful and connecting as music, is a place of real fear.