I never implied any ‘wants’ except for the theoretical “Richard Cheese want” which was to put his act before an audience to help promote his music to a new media audience and by doing so, benefit from the incidental exposure on many of our blogs and podcasts. I think your comment implies that I devilishly wanted something. If I had any “wants” going to this concert, it was to enjoy a great show. I didn’t want any kerfuffle and I certainly didn’t want my friends getting spit on, that is for sure.

I did not mean to imply that I am special, that “new media” is special or that any particular group deserves less or more respect and courtesy. I meant that the circumstances were special. It is not every day you have 600 bloggers and podcasters in one room, each of which having a reach of hundreds, or thousands, and even some, hundreds of thousands of readers, listeners and viewers. On top of that, many of these bloggers and podcasters flew into Las Vegas from all over the country. You just can’t replicate an audience like that every day.

If you want an analogy: It’s like going to a squirt gun fight expecting not to get wet.

From my point of view, from 2 weeks ago when I read Richard’s web site up till up till the first song was played I got the impression that he wanted the attention and coverage of his music on our podcasts. Michael, I think you’re right with your thinking, but honestly all the other signs (the other artists allowing cameras and video/audio recorders and that Richard Cheese music was podsafe as long as it was not for profit) mislead most of us. The first time he reacted on stage I thought he was joking and trying to put on an act for us. When he spit on the crowd, the show was over for me.

The venue emptied out quick during the first song. The way the show ended speaks for itself.

Richard Cheese had an excellent opportunity to get a lot of positive publicity from all of us. To me, this was an artists opportunity of a life time: get 600 bloggers and podcasters to play viral video/audio and blog about how great the show was. Richard apparently had either no clue or no respect. If we were news reporters, would he have grabbed the video recorder or spit on the camera men? I think not. Richard blew an opportunity and went further and insulted us.

I think this could have been handled much better by Mr. Cheese. Instead of attacking the very ppl who were there to support him, he could have said “Hey guys, there are copyright rules when performing cover songs, so I gotta ask that ya put the cameras away and we’ll have a good time, alright?” See? simple. No attacking, no throwing or grabbing, and no spitting.

I put my camera away and actually stepped to the back of the venue because I felt a little sick after that. I used to be a big Cheese fan, and even PAID for his music (OMG!) I run an internet radio station, which plays his music, and yes I even pay royalties. No more. I’ve pulled his songs from my list.

After the performance I approached Mr. Cheese during his photo op / autograph session. He looked at me twice, while holding my camera, and even commented that he liked my jacket. Eventually he realized I was filming, and yes, did ask me to stop twice. I should have, but felt as it was a photo op, whats the hurt? He was no longer performing .. or was he? I wasn’t sure, because after each time he stuck his hand up to the lens, he joked how he liked my jacket. As I walked away, filming myself, he obviously thought I was filming him over my shoulder and grabbed my arm and camera from behind, after a short struggle I retrieved my camera and he threatened to have me ejected from the Hotel. Which was fine, b/c I then left anyhow.

Now I could easily say I was assaulted by Mr. Cheese, but I admit, I may have had it coming. However, it wasn’t until he actually grabbed me, that I knew he was serious.

I have the video of the whole scene, but I’ve removed it from the ‘net as per Brian Ibbott’s request. Brian did an amazing job, and deserves no more headaches from Richard Cheese. I’d ask everyone else who has video online to pull it as well, for Brian’s sake.

I’m saddened how this all played out, and while I don’t expect Richard Cheese to apologize for his behavior, I think it would help his bruised image (at least in the eyes of New Media) if he would at least admit that he could have handled the situation better.

- Langley

PS: Nice jacket Richard Cheese.

However, what Mr. Cheese did could NEARLY be considered assault from a legal standpoint. Kind of a gray area, but he should have demanded that the venue take care of things instead of him getting in their face. Just like the announcement regarding the recording falls to the venue, enforcing the rule should also logically fall on the venue.

What’s really sad is that Brian’s reputation is what gets hurt here. Not only from the idiotic, rude, and unacceptable response from Cheese, but also from the unwilling “new media rebels” that think the rules don’t apply to them simply because they feel that “this is what they SHOULD be able to do.”