My take on people who complain about "gay" in dance.

[mannyworks00]

I don't have a problem with Chrles or anyone else saying that we appeal to the gays..that part is true and I've been saying that since day 1. What I don't agree with is people trying to disassociate gays and disco from dance and then rank the stations on their "gayness"...its rude. There are 5 gay dance internet stations per every 1 straight. That won't be taken away from us.

 

[Gusto]

There are 5 gay dance internet stations per every 1 straight. That won't be taken away from us.

That ratio just proves my point. The stereotype will live on....

 

[mannyworks00]

ok...and in the meantime...Big Gay events like Chicago Pride whom attract close to half a million gays, their family's and supporters are making their dent on the industry.

 

[theedger]

I wonder if they have this conversation in other countries where dance music is pop music. I wonder if Tiesto, Oakenfold and Paul van Dyk care who is/isn't gay.

There is dance music that is produced for the gay community. It has all the sounds that a stereotypical gay person loves. There is dance music for the candy raver. There is dance music for people who call dance techno.
There is dance music made with passion and dance music made for money.

The gay community was instrumental for keeping dance music going in the 70's/80's in America.

We keep sexual lifestyle out of the conversation at Energy 98 because it's not our place. About 40% of our listerners come from countries where our music is played on the radio too. Only America has to tie the two together.

That being said, there's nothing wrong with niche programming. Look how successful FOX News is to a loyal few million people in this country. They figured out that if you can hook and hold a small number of people you will be #1. You don't hear a promo saying 300 million people in America DIDN'T watch Glen Beck last night. You hear Glen Beck #1 in the afternoon.

This thread is kinda silly and it has been fun adding to it. But I need to kill another thread now.

 

[mannyworks00]

That's is soo true mikeo. Looking at this from an advertising persperctive -- you HAVE to capture certain demographics and well...no matter which ones you choose. Some will embrace the music more than others. This is what our saturation looks like in the U.S.
http://fusionchicago.com/image001.jpg
http://fusionchicago.com/image002.jpg

As you can see here our demo's are mainly American; thereby putting the "social war" right up our alley. I agree with Mikeo that in europe the audience is a WHOLE different story.

 

[DJ_Perry]

I believe I already pointed that out earlier in this thread

I'm sure the "Gay" label may exist in some other places, but I'm sure the most of it was created in America. The rest of the world does not shun Dance music, as it is very common (outside U.S.), regardless of sexual preference. American producers like Kaskade or Moby tour overseas, and they are treated like Rock Stars (unlike in their own territory). And they are not selling out gay bars either. Which brings me to my next point. There is Gay Dance, and there is Non-Gay Dance....Circuit Anthems obviously will only appeal to one audience. So perhaps give up the fight on that "niche" crossing over. But if the recent collaborations continue... bringing Electro and Pop together, or using Dance Elements in Urban or even Rock, then the Gay Label may lessen.

Yes Theed Ger, my occupation on the left reveals my employer

 

[Morpheux]

There are 5 gay dance internet stations per every 1 straight. That won't be taken away from us.

That ratio just proves my point. The stereotype will live on....

Sterotypes are based on truth. If there are 5 "gay dance" stations to every 1 "straight dance station". Then it's obvious gays support dance or their flavor of dance more. That being said the stereotypes are flying from both sides here so I think it has to be said:

Not ALL who like dance are Gay

Not ALL who are Gay LIKE dance

All who don't like dance are thugs

There are thugs who LIKE dance

Not everyone that goes to a pride event likes dance

There are gays in america who prefer to listen to rock,jazz, rap,salsa,breakbeat,gospel,country...you get the point.


Sounds silly but I think it needed to be spelled out.

 

[Tom Wells]

This polarization developed EARLY on, and was evident by 1975 for me in high school.
Steve Dahl and Garry Meier did much to advance this polarization and use it for their benefit at the time.
They nutured this association/polarization for a number of years with the "Disco sucks" mindset.
In Chicago, it still hangs in the air.
I can accept many kinds of music, and don't care who produces or likes it.
Ignore such complaints and consider the source.
It would be like complaining that blues are written for, produced by, and for, people with substance abuse problems.
But I have to put together a one hour block of music for a party tonight and I doubt I'll put any Georgio Moeroder (sp?) in there,
even though I might listen to it.

 

[Techno Kelvin]

Excuse my naivete but what artist's / songs would be considered "gay" in Dance? ???

 

[theedger]

Excuse my naivete but what artist's / songs would be considered "gay" in Dance? ???

All good programmers know the answer to that question.

 

[Techno Kelvin]

Excuse my naivete but what artist's / songs would be considered "gay" in Dance? ???

All good programmers know the answer to that question.

Guess I suck then, still doesn't answer the question.