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Post by cigarviper on May 13, 2008 13:32:48 GMT -5
Don't tell me we couldn't tap into that talent pool to create an original soundtrack for the Habs. I would even go further as to mandate a few of these artists/bands to create Habs specific mucic. That would be awesome. ...and that could mean a new revenue stream for Uncle George. Charge these starving artists for the rights. I do agree that profiling music the fans are emotionally connected to makes good business sense, but that music is not necessarily provided by local artists. The ticket holders are part of a private club who are in attendance to be entertained by whatever the provider is offering. If they don't like the music, don't buy a ticket. |
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Post by Skilly on May 14, 2008 8:17:38 GMT -5
But now ask yourself, how much Newfoundland music do I hear on OZFM? On HitsFM? K-Rock? Coast? Unless things have changed greatly since I left, the answer is somewhere just this side of negligible. Sure, you'll hear Great Big Sea more often than on the mainland, and Shaye from time to time. They probably play those two songs by Kim Stockwood twice a year (each). And over Christmas they'll do the Mummer's Christmas (I think that may actually be required by the CRTC). What about Newfoundland folk music? Again, with the exception of a couple hours early on Saturday morning on VOCM, what do you hear? Anything at all? Cue to your point. Cater to your audience. Hold the fort .... OZFM is a rock station. HitsFM is a rock/pop station. K-rock is a classic rock hits station (not many Newfoundland bands back then, much less ones with #1 hits) Coast ... Yes you here newfoundland music on it. Newfoundland "folk music" when played has its audience it caters to (which is why it has its time slots), and it isn't always Newfoundlanders playing it .... But ... Jason Greeley, Craig Sharpe, Damnit Doyle, etc ... when they were popular you'd hear them continually (and to some degree, we still do) on all radio stations - the radio stations here actually do a decent job of promoting the local talent - albeit it only mainstream. It's not like you'd hear a Newfoundland act every second or third song, (the station would run out of material pretty quick), but you definitely hear them more than you are suggesting. I also think, comparing a radio station to a hockey rink's PA system is a pretty big stretch. The radio station is subjected to CRTC rules, (Newfoundland content is Canadian content) but the hockey rink isn't .... the hockey team is apart of Quebec's society/culture/call it what you want. As such, they have a responsibility to be more prominent in such things as promoting charities, visiting sick kids, and yes, even playing local music in the arena. My opinion anyway.... |
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 27, 2008 5:47:05 GMT -5
I seem to recall that at the old Forum, a hallowed place on the hallowed ground at Atwater; O' Canada was not sung. We quietly attentively listened to it played on the organ. Singing the anthem was an American thing. Eventually we brought in Roger Doucet, October 13, 1970 to sing the anthems for the first time. Singing the anthem in both languages evolved over time and eventually the number of verses sung in french increased.
Most of my memories didn't include the anthem as the tv broadcast began 30 minutes after the drop of the puck. The score of the game was more important than the anthem.
Preserving the culture of Quebec is a good thing. Preserving the joie de vivre of Montreal vs Toronto is a great thing. Preserving the French language may be a good thing too, but dictating to Celine Dion or Roger Doucet or George Gillet what songs to sing and in which language to sing them is decidedly not a good thing.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on May 27, 2008 5:50:00 GMT -5
Don't tell me we couldn't tap into that talent pool to create an original soundtrack for the Habs. I would even go further as to mandate a few of these artists/bands to create Habs specific mucic. That would be awesome. ...and that could mean a new revenue stream for Uncle George. Charge these starving artists for the rights. I do agree that profiling music the fans are emotionally connected to makes good business sense, but that music is not necessarily provided by local artists. The ticket holders are part of a private club who are in attendance to be entertained by whatever the provider is offering. If they don't like the music, don't buy a ticket. Vote for the anthem to be sung prior to the game by texting 1 514 888-8888 for English and 1 514 888-8889 for French. A charge of 0.50 will be applied to your cell phone bill. Voila; a new revenue stream. |
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Post by Skilly on May 27, 2008 7:53:10 GMT -5
I seem to recall that at the old Forum, a hallowed place on the hallowed ground at Atwater; O' Canada was not sung. We quietly attentively listened to it played on the organ. Singing the anthem was an American thing. Eventually we brought in Roger Doucet, October 13, 1970 to sing the anthems for the first time. Singing the anthem in both languages evolved over time and eventually the number of verses sung in french increased. You know something ... Canada is a "supposed" bilingual country. It should be madatory for everyone to learn both official languages. I don't have the data to support this conjecture ... but I'd bet if you compared Canada to all other biligual countries we'd rank pretty low (maybe even last) in percentage of population that knows both languages. I also feel that if we didn't rank last, it would be because 7 million or more Quebecers know english and not because of the 21 million other citizens. But, getting back to your anthem arguement. I went to alot of St. John's Maple Leafs games, and a few (not as many as I should have) Fog Devils games. The anthem that was sung here was mostly in french. I am certain it was sung entirely in french a few times, but 100% of the time this part was sung in french: Car ton bras sait porter l'épée,
Il sait porter la croix.
Ton histoire est une épopée,
Des plus brillants exploitsJust like they do in Montreal. I often wonder how many other places sing any of it in french .... By the way ... ever translate the french version to english? It is more poetic than the english rendition. |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on May 27, 2008 8:33:28 GMT -5
I seem to recall that at the old Forum, a hallowed place on the hallowed ground at Atwater; O' Canada was not sung. We quietly attentively listened to it played on the organ. Singing the anthem was an American thing. Eventually we brought in Roger Doucet, October 13, 1970 to sing the anthems for the first time. Singing the anthem in both languages evolved over time and eventually the number of verses sung in french increased. You know something ... Canada is a "supposed" bilingual country. It should be madatory for everyone to learn both official languages. I don't have the data to support this conjecture ... but I'd bet if you compared Canada to all other biligual countries we'd rank pretty low (maybe even last) in percentage of population that knows both languages. I also feel that if we didn't rank last, it would be because 7 million or more Quebecers know english and not because of the 21 million other citizens. Might have to do with geography, Skilly, though I'm not an expert by any means. One of the most bilingual countries on the planet, IMO, is Switzerland. However, you can get from one end of Switzerland to the other in the same day if you wish. You can do the same in Canada, granted, but you'd need a flight. I think this explains more about the polarized attitudes we see around the country than anything else. Not saying it's an excuse; just a possible explanation. During my military career there were two standards as far as French language training went. Francophone soldiers were given English language training immediately upon graduation from basic training. This created some resentment with some French soldiers because they felt they were having English rammed down their throats and had no say in it whatsoever. However, it also created resentment from the English soldiers who weren't and aren't today, given French language training after basic training. As with just about every English soldier out there, I had to apply and wait for my French language training, which is crucial for me if I want to rise to a specific rank level. I finally got my Block 1 and Block 2 French training (20 weeks in total) in the spring of 1999; that's 19 years after I joined the military. I was offered a 1-year French course after that; however, my career manager (who used to be my old Troop Warrant) told me that if he needed a bilingual Warrant Officer for the brigade in Valcartier, I would be the one. I knew that I couldn't take it because Mrs Dis was older now and I'd be forcing her to adapt to my career once again. And Dis Jr was too old to start French emersion and I'm sure it would have confused and frustrated him. So, I politely turned it down and was promptly posted back to the Regiment here in Kingston; a place, I was told by the same career manager, that I would never go back to (had served with the Regiment two previous times). As far as postings around the country went, I know of many French soldiers who, upon leaving English language training, were immediately posted to BFC Valcartier where many have remained throughout their careers. No postings elsewhere in Canada unless they requested it or agreed to it. Their English language training, that they had no choice in taking, didn't have to be used. Conversely, I've gone everywhere I've been told to go. I've moved no less than six times n my 23-year career and have mates who have moved more. Some of them were only given the reason, "... you've been in the geographical area too long." That's right ... too long. Refuse the posting and you might as well put your release in. However, I do know of several friends who have remained with the Brigade in Edmonton now for about 10/12 years. Their time is coming up, they know it, and they're willing to release from the Canadian Forces so as not to disrupt their families with another move. So, as much as I've tried to get French language training through the service, it came down to whether my unit could afford to lose me and whether or not the training was available at the time. Conversely, (Regular Force) French soldiers were given their English training immediately upon completion of basic training. And in some instances that French training meant the difference in being promoted or not. Have to be fair at this point as well. I have several friends who got their French courses and went to Valcartier as French-speaking Anglophones. They were required only to stay for 4/5 years max, but some ended up staying about 9/10 years. One soldier even met a French girl and has been there 12 years now. About 25% of the unit I'm referring to is comprised of Anglophones who got their French language training and absolutely love their posting. Cheers. |
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Post by franko on May 27, 2008 10:13:32 GMT -5
You know something ... Canada is a "supposed" bilingual country. Actually, Canada is only bilinguall ish -- only New Brunswick is bilingual. Pockets of the rest of the country have bilingual people (Ontario and Manitoba in particular). On the border here there are people who don't like English rammed down their gorges and people who don't like French rammed down their throats. I say . . . bah . . . I agree fully: . . . because we are all part of one nation (not because then an English person could more readily get a federal government job, either). Umm . . . here. |
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Post by Skilly on May 27, 2008 19:24:29 GMT -5
So in this great country of ours only three places? No wait ... I am sure the Sea Dogs sing it in french. So four places? I have watched NHL games from Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, and Toronto ... and they all sing it purely in English. The Memorial Cup sang it in french - but a part of me thinks that if there was no Q team it would be sung in English ... |
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