1,000 show and counting

In all honesty this entry is a bit late. Last night was show number 1,004. However, a single show is not as important as what it represents.

The New Epoch of Zorch.

Things are about to change drastically and this is not due simply to the number of shows I've played. My life... my real life is in a state of flux, and I'm finding my way to the path I will take. While I do intend to continue my musical adventures in Second Life, I am leaning I was correct in my estimation that one could not earn a living playing on Second Life.

Now for the record, I do mange to feed myself and keep a roof over my head, but who want to live the rest of their lives that way.

I'm looking into way of doing some limited touring, and playing house concerts or listening room. While on the road, I intend to maintain my online presence in Second Life and play shows online when I'm not playing them in real life.

Sort of a Hybrid tour.

The reason the touring is going to be limited is because I do plan to be home for each and every weekend I can spend with my Daughter. She is the priority in my life.

So with any luck, I may be coming to a town near you. Hope you can come out and enjoy a show in person. This is not an immediate development, and I won't be hitting to road tomorrow morning, but the wheels are already turning.

I will be continuing playing shows in Second Life, I'll be releasing my next collection in November, but I am looking toward the future and moving with purpose. I thought I would take a moment to share my plans with you, and I thank you for all the support thought out the first Epoch of Zorch.

And then the story gets WEIRD

I put a lot of hard work into my name.

As I write this entry, I've Logged 983 shows in Second Life, released seven mp3 collections (not including live, compilation, and story teller collections), and manage to write a somewhat amusing blog about my musical adventures in Second life.

I work hard to bring value to my name, and because of that investment I deserve to reap the benefits of my name. I'm the one that made it worth something.

The People at “Stream Scene” (cue laugh track), seem to think they can use anybodies name however they see fit to make a few Lindens. This is fundamentally wrong, Ethically reprehensible, and actually illegal.

Now let me say this. If they were just having a popularity contest it would be lame. But when you charge people to both nominate and vote for people, it's a scam.

THE STREAM SCENE AWARDS ARE A SCAM.

This is all about squeezing a few Lindens out of the small but excitable music community, and since this is all about COMMUNITY (Yippy wholesome family values) they seem to feel they have Cart Blanche to do whatever they see fit.

I sent Twisted Ruggles a Note card asking to be removed. She informed me THEY didn't nominate me the COMMUNITY did. Then she told me what a hateful personality I had and yadda yadda blah blah. Suffice it to say, she said they would remove my name from the list.

Expected and yeah... that's good.

Then it gets WEIRD.

Then... I get a note from the “BIG WIG” at Lame ass inter-web broadcasting and he informs me, There is no way to know what avatar nominated me, so there was no way to refund their money. This is how I found out nominations were paid for.

I wasn't nominated by THE COMMUNITY at all. Some faceless Avatar nominated me, and paid good money to do so.

I would like to thank Faceless Avatar for their considerations, but if you want to tell me you think I'm spiffy just give me a tip. I'll thank you for that as well.

Since my blog about the subjects, some heavy hitters have been nominated. Like Miles Davis.. and Satan. Crap... how did they find out my real life identity.

Of course Stream Scene accepted the nominations and the fees those nominations incurred.

Currently one of the nominees is sending out a note card to the other nominees, informing them about their nomination and inviting them to consider opting out. No... it's not me.

Now let me ask you this. If they don't know who nominated me... or anyone else. What kind of validation are they going to have during the voting?

Probably none whatsoever and all that really matters is the money coming in. I'm sure every vote will be paid for.

Hey, doesn't the term “Every vote paid for” give you a really bad feeling?

I predict there will be an award given. Not everyone will opt out simply because many of the people in second life require the validation an award... or even a nomination brings.

I'm very sure Manhood Wanker will activate his drones to lead him to GLORIOUS VICTORY. Because he's the kind of guy that needs “Stream Scene Music Award Winner” on his resume to make him feel like he has a dick.

I already have a dick, I have great music and to some people I'm one of their Favorite Second Life musicians. I never pretend to be mainstream or popular. But what I have, I've earned the hard way, but working for it.

And one of my proudest possessions is my name.

I am Zorch and I am the future of music in Second Life... and so humble.

It's a slap in the face just to be nominated

For those of you that are new to this Blog, allow me to inform you on my stance toward Music awards doled out in Second Life. They are all bullshit. They have nothing to do with determining the best and have everything to do with establishing an orthodoxy.

Of course all awards are about establishing orthodoxy. Even the Noble Prize says they get to determine whom made the most significant advances in a given field, and frankly those in the know are pretty suspect of endorsement of the Noble Prize committee.

Currently a Unknown (for the most part), web show, The Stream Scene is hosting awards, and by some fluke, I seem to be nominated for “Favorite Pop Artist”. How that happened I don't have a clue. I could classify my music by many labels but POP would not be one of them. I would not have known about this nomination if I was not informed by a nominee for “Favorite Folk Artist”,and I've never heard her sing one folk song.

I did check out the nominee page and found it to be full of errors.

Peregrine Singh is nominated for several categories. However Peregrine, in a fit of drama deleted his account moths ago. WTF?

Favorite Band features “Friendly Fire” Nominated twice in the same category. Very professional.

Favorite Song writer/composer lacks the inclusion of Second Life's best songwriter... Me, and includes Von Johin whom as far as I know, only plays covers.

Favorite Reggae Artist includes Russell Eponym, and I can't imagine why. I've seen Russell's show a bunch of times and I've never heard any Reggae. Even if he did one reggae song while I was not looking, would that make him a reggae artist?

Manhood Wanker is nominated for everything he's remotely qualified for, and frankly I think he'll win. Not because he's good mind you, but anybody stupid enough to support Manhood Wanker is stupid enough to spend 30 L$ per vote to show their LOVE.

Yes... it cost money to vote.

So when they put my name on their list, they are using my cache to put linden in their pockets. That is exploitation, they do not have my permission to use my name.

The Stream Scene is an embarrassment to anybody interested in music. Their show consist of the worse kind of fluff from people that don't have a clue what journalism is, or what is entertaining to watch. The Stream Scene takes all that is banal about Second Life music and passes it though a bland filter. Yes I was featured on the show once, I agreed to do it before I realized what I was agreeing to, and the end results was, “Zork (yes they called me Zork the whole time) has a clear bright voice and dresses like a pirate”. I changed my look drastically after that show in hopes people would think they were actually talking about some guy named Zork.

I intend to get my name off the list if I can. If they refuse, I'll get my lawyers on it. And if you support me DO NOT vote for me. This is probably the biggests indignity visited upon me during my Non-career in Second Life music.