There's a flamey little internet mini-war brewing between longtime local bluesman Jim "Tilden" Brown and his former regular venue the Wine Cellar. Looks like the booking agent at the Cellar neglected to include Mr. Brown on the summer schedule and he's feeling a twinge over bitterness about that. He's been posting nasty-grams on his MySpace and on Craigslist telling customers to boycott the downtown Cd'A wine bar/restaurant.
I called the Wine Cellar to ask their side of this very public drama and whoever I spoke with just sighed and said tersely "We have nothing to say about that, thanks." To be honest, I don't really have an opinion in the matter, but I do find the whole thing somewhat amusing so I thought I'd share.This was the original bulletin posted on MySpace:
DO NOT SUPPORT " THE WINE CELLAR" in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho...UNFAIR TO MUSICIANS!!
DO NOT SUPPORT " THE WINE CELLAR" in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Unfair wages, treatment and a bitchy manager (Summer) who handles the booking with no idea how long or hard the musicians have worked ( I performed 14 years for them, 2 times a month and she thought I had been there a couple years)....very unorganized and a real disappointment!!
-Jim Tilden Brown
To which someone replied, apropos of nothing:I always wanted to set up a full Marshall stack in that room just to wake those posh wine drinkers the fuck up!
But why bother?
-Working Spliffs
Mr. Brown left another vicious rant on Craigslist in the "Musicians" category, but it must have been flagged for removal. I can't find it. However, someone posted a little comeback, which stayed on the board: Jim,
You flame the Wine Cellar...Summer..and then you put your picture up...and your MySpace address?Wow. Seriously, never met you, but after playing ANYWHERE for 15 years, if you are a "professional", don't you think its a bad idea to badmouth and flame your employer / former employer on a public forum? Kinda makes you look bitter and jaded. Take it up with the Wine Cellar. Why bitch on Craigslist? Please, e-mail and let me know what was going on there at Wine Cellar for you to post this rant if you like. I'm listening...whats up with the Cellar?
The next day, Mr. Brown seems to have ignored that particular screed in favor of a little damage control and self-promotion.The Best Solo act in Northwest
TILDEN BROWN.......Coming back on Tour soon!!!
Stay in touch!!
A few dates left available, contact ASAP!
www.myspace.com/jimtildenbrown
The best solo act in the Northwest, eh? Wow, that's pretty boastful, especially for someone who spends winters in Arizona and spring in Branson, Mo. I'm not sure how many venues will be jumping at the chance to book a guy that posts public rants about his former venues, but at least he's got a big enough ego to face the challenge.