First how rude. In this silly exchange, I’ve never stooped to calling you names. It's not that serious. Well........ maybe to you.
Anyway, you can’t possibly believe that a few websites which demonstrate more registered members, venues and bands on webpages somehow makes KC a blues-ier city or more “prolific” when it comes to the Blues.
If so, that’s astonishing and lame. The KC BBQ Society has been around for a longer time too, but that doesn’t mean the BBQ tastes better over there.
I think it is wise for a reasonable (or sensible) (or practical) person - who wants to be truly objective - to use layers of available resources (or multiple metrics) in order to be able to properly gauge (or measure) a specific topic more objectively.
That’s what real researchers do. The cumulative result may be able to yield a more balanced perspective.
As far as I am concerned, who knows? KC’s Blues Society may be more aggressive at recruiting members, keeping its website up-to-date to reflect bands for hire and venues willing to host them. Good for KC. Good!!! St. Louis' Blues Society just elected a NEW and YOUNG President. Here's an excerpt of his interview from the article,
..........much of the organization’s focus had been to “take care of the old guys,” seeing to the careers and welfare of older blues musicians such as Oliver Sain, Johnnie Johnson, Henry Townsend and Tommy Bankhead.
“It had been about a certain group of musicians,” he says. “I really care about those people, and they’re not just people to read about in the books.”
But after they and others died, the group wasn’t sure what to do next or how to move forward.
Segel-Moss’ answer is to honor the past and spotlight the current, the future and the living.
All you keep talking about are all of those old ass people, venues and bands - many of which are likely NOT TO BE “pure” Blues bands - being listed as members on your local “blues society” webpages. Meanwhile, St. Louis' Blues Society appears to be freshening itself up.
Anyway, I provided additional METRICS and it’s okay they ruffled your feathers. While I am aiming to be objective, you are aiming to win and to be right.
For the record, all of our so-called metrics are anecdotal methodology i.e. unreliable, subjective, untrustworthy and undependable. Never mind the website I provided (stlouisbands.com) listed additional Blues bands to counter your limited list. Never mind that I demonstrated St. Louis has some of the longest running Blues festivals in the country – particularly in Missouri. Never mind that YOU posted an inept (and still incomplete) list of live music venues, bars and restaurants where live Blues are played. Never mind you dismissed YELP as “Google” when Google is actually one of the greatest all-time metric search engines EVER. Lol.
Further, by me pointing out that the St. Louis Musician’s Association has been around since 1862 was to illustrate that all musicians and bands SINCE THEN – including Blues musicians LATER – were able to network as well as be represented by this organization. Of course organized Blues hasn't been around that long, dummy. But truthfully, if you know the history of the Blues they have been around LONGER – just not organized or “coined” as such. The roots of the Blues actually date back to Africa. This is what the National Blues Museum in downtown St. Louis illustrates.
Then you keep bringing up a “winning" KC Blues band as though that somehow really legitimizes your argument. Not sure what that's about.
Yeah! KC has a winning Blues band that has managed to put a string of wins together in a Blues band competition. Yeah! Way to go KC! That’s how you show ‘em! Kudos.
Meanwhile, roots music extraordinaire, St. Louis’-own Pokey LaFarge and his band have been charting on Billboard (http://www.billboard.com/artist/5645472 ... arge/chart) and have been getting write-ups in Rolling Stone (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/ ... l-20151006) and Billboard (http://www.billboard.com/artist/5645472 ... /biography) magazines.
His band has appeared on David Lettermen (2013) and at the Grand Old Opry (numerous times) and has traveled INTERNATIONALLY with his brand of blues, country, folk, ragtime and jazz music.
And for the record, Blues and Rock and Roll LEGENDS such as Chuck Berry, Ernie Isley of The Isley Brothers, Barbara Carr and Big George Brock ARE STILL performing around St. Louis TODAY. LEGENDS!
Ultimately, our metrics don’t come from an official voting or measuring body that can certify and verify without-a-doubt which community is more “prolific” than the other.
Come on dude.
At the end of the day, we can dig up articles, reference Blues links and stats all week, but nothing changes the fact that country’s and the Midwest’s first MAJOR museum dedicated to Blues music is in downtown St. Louis.
NOTHING changes that!