Posted by Rita Simpson on March 05, 2004 at 11:05:48:
Since I just received the two CDs -- which are my first very own Bonsai CDs -- awarded for my apparently uncontested co-victory in the set list contest, I thought I should drop a message to UB and fans.
Mostly, I wanted to share the story of my winning entry, since someone else also deserves at least some credit for my efforts.
As of just last November, I had never even heard of Uncle Bonsai, so this sudden rise to fame as a distinguished Uncle Bonsai fan might come as a surprise. How did this happen? Well, I started dating a die-hard UB fan (Rick, a.k.a. Ranger Rick) in early November, and about a month after we started going out, he introduced me to UB while we were on a 3-hour car trip. Not only was I a captive audience, but I knew that if I didn't become an enthusiastic fan, the future of the relationship would be precarious. Luckily, I did in fact take an instant liking to their songs, so this wasn't a sacrifice at all.
Then, about a week or so later, he presented me with a printout from the website announcing the set list contest, and told me my homework was to enter the contest. I took my assignment seriously, but I was largely dependent on his filter, since I didn't have time to listen to all of his UB CDs -- so he played a selection of his favorites for me over the coming weeks, and eventually I started to narrow down my five favorites from his larger set of selected favorites. Of course, like some other contestants, I came up with at least 5 or 6 different possible lists. At that point I figured I'd get a little bit of input from my trusted friend and seasoned Bonsai fan, so I showed him my working lists, and told him I was thinking of submitting a couple of entries (why not?!). Two things happened at that point, thanks to Rick's advice: the first one helped me in my eventual victory -- his mild disapproval of my multiple-entry idea made me rethink that strategy, so I ended up only submitting one entry (as you all will know, if you've followed the contest results saga); but the second one actually worked against me, as I might have been the hands-down winner if I had not listened to him, and left 'Just One Angel' on my list. Yes, I had that song on all my working set lists before I consulted w/my trusted friend (who thought that wasn’t a likely choice for the Folk Festival only because it’s practically a solo, not because it isn’t an outstanding song). So, as you can see, I owe Rick at least an honorable mention for his role in all this (and somehow, he even predicted that I would be submitting the winning entry) – especially because if I hadn’t met him, I still may not have ever listened to any UB CDs.
I’m now looking forward to the concert at the Ark on Saturday – my first full-fledged UB concert.
Thanks again for the CDs!
-Rita
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