Mean people.

Hi Friends!

I know, I know. When you put yourself out there - you're opening yourself up to judgement. I understand that. I know that not everyone is going to love my music, just like I don't love all styles of music. It's fine! With that said, there's no need to be mean when you're telling someone that you're not a fan.

Here's an e-mail I received this week:

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Hi,

We listened to your music. Your songs are very much the same theme. To our 30-year-old daughter, they seemed too depressing and whinny. We were brought up in a house full of music from all over the world. We are also involved with The Sounding Board in Hartford for 30 years (www.folknotes.org). We were involved in hiring many artist such as Sally Rogers and Howie Berson, Bill Staines, Utah Phillips, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, Christine Lavin, John McCutcheon, Si Kahn, and Pete Sutherland and Bluegrass and Old String Band Music. For our group, we need more cheerful songs with a style similar to these artists. If you want, I will forward your cd to Radio Station WWUH 91.3 FM in West Hartford.

You are welcome to any future group gatherings.

Mr. X

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Ouch.

There are so many things wrong with this e-mail! First of all - the grammar. But everyone deserves a freebee when it comes to typos, so no worries. Second of all, why be rude? What could he possibly accomplish by insulting me? Third...it's always interesting when people insult my music but then offer to send it along somewhere else. I don't think that would be a shining endorsement!

Friends, there are a lot of small people out there who try to make themselves feel better by being rude, arrogant, or insulting. I know we all thought we were out of middle school, but that same mentality still exists for some people. Please don't let them get to you - you're much better than that!!

So here was my response:

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Mr. X,

Please just get rid of my CD. I'll send it in to WWUH on my own.

In the future, when dealing with other artists who are looking to help your organization, please don't insult them. If you don't like their style there are professional ways to decline an offer.

Good luck with your gatherings, and I hope you enjoy the holiday season.

Take care,
Kristen Graves

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Much love to you all, and keep your heads held high!

Love,
Kristen