In response to David Byrne's response to Cleveland at DavidByrne.com

I'll say this from my view. Mr. Byrne is an incredible artist. He's grown into one of that with the stature and influence that one would have equated with many of those that inspired him. A former art student (who just happened to get into music, in a world-famous, groundbreaking, Rock-And-Roll-Hall-Of-Fame-Inducted band - class of 2002), he definitely has a keen ability to observe. Here however, I think he's so busy looking for something, he misses everything else.

As I should be, I'm horrified by his taxi experience, from downtown Cleveland to the Shaker Square. For all the complaining that the taxi industry has put out there (about restrictions on lanes at the airport etc), one would hope that this isn't the norm. At least we have taxis. I can remember a time in Cleveland (in my time here, some 20 years) where you could go days without seeing a taxi on a street, much less a suburb.

I'm saddened that, while he points out the long strip of decay and abandonment that Euclid has become, he totally ignores the reconstruction project going on (at the time of his writing, now completed). While the project hasn't instantly fulfilled it's promise of urban renewal, at least it's an attempt to save all those buildings with facades he so relishes. We know they are boarded up - we're trying to do something about it. How's Detroit doing?

Of course Mr. Byrne would take notice of the International Gardens along MLK, I wouldn't expect any less. I'm sorry that they aren't five city blocks in Chicago or New York, but at least someone along the way thought this was a good idea. Any greenspace in Cleveland is welcome from my end.

Taking the time to hear local talent is something I'll give Mr. Byrne and his friends great credit for, even if the video is raw. May I also point out that there are so many more local artists that will never receive such attention - Colin Dussalt, old RL friends Alexis Antes and Robin Stone and many many more. For Mr. Byrne who's cover of Al Green's "Take Me To The River" with Talking Heads is so famous - perhaps someone should share our love of Robert Lockwood Jr.?

Now, from the standpoint of Mr. Byrne's take on the Rock Hall. It's difficult for me to be objective, because I spend so much time there. [Tonight on the show I'll be featuring a brief interview with Marty Stuart on his newly opened SPARKLE AND TWANG exhibit. - ok, more clothes Mr. Byrne, along with hundreds of items chasing history of Country and Rock's on-again, off-again love affair.] I find it amazing that Mr. Byrne boils down the placement of the hall here to just a few items, and then throws them down as unimportant because all 'we' showcase is clothing (including his Fat Suit). Nobody throws up their collective arms here. The original HOF (silent) now is modified with an hour-long (and growing) presentation on the inductees. Mr. Byrne also forgets to mention the amount of educational programming that goes on behind the exhibits, and the amount of history that is laid out for people to see and hear. Part of that history includes your own Mr. Byrne. How a small club in the low parts of NYC called CBGBs could raise so many to such high heights. Or how unique Talking Heads are (where) to be inventive not only with their music, but also with other art forms, including their covers (the original polaroid version of MORE SONGS ABOUT... hangs inside the main exhibit hall, through the main doors - hang a left, on your left....). If you missed that, you didn't take the time, and that is truly sad.

Now, for full-disclosure, I've produced several Talking Heads specials for WBWC. In fact I even pursued an interview with Mr. Byrne to help promote this tourstop, Because of that level of exposure, some would call me a 'fan' (Yet, I do not own the entire solo catalog or Mr. Byrne, nor Talking Heads). That being said, I have to agree with the nomination and induction of Talking Heads in 2002. It's sad that Mr. Byrne hasn't followed up on that much. Right after playing what might be the last TH set ever, he took his statue and now uses it as a door stop (OK, conjecture there). I wish that, even in his own artistic circle, he would champion the fraternity of the Rock Hall, in some way. Thanks to their (the NYC HOF committee, and the Cleveland Hall staffs) efforts Mr. Byrne, your history, your influences (you seem to cherish so much - how will they know who Brian Eno ever was?) and much or your music has been preserved for, remembered by and introduced to multiple new generations. What more could you ask.

Mr. Byrne also forgot to mention what an amazing show he and his band provided on the 23rd. I have not seen/heard an audience react that way to an act in years, perhaps decades. Is that no longer important to you Mr. Byrne? That would be tragic. I was under the impression that the show wasn't selling well, yet it was just short of full on my (orchestra) level, and so passionate. Many people around me (all the way in the back) were singing along to "Strange Overtones" even though the physical CD the song comes from isn't out yet... Also Mr. Byrne - take note of the recently renewed Allen Theater you performed in. They brought that back from the brink, just like they are trying to bring back Euclid Ave., and the rest of Cleveland around it.

Speaking of bringing back - I can only hope that this tour (celebrating your collaborations with Brian Eno) inspires you to truly play with the original framework once again, and let this generation hear Talking Heads live. Sting proved (after being inspired back to his Police songs via his Broken Music tour) all it takes is a phone call. The Police the closing chapter via 150 live shows. They did it without killing each other, and even raised money for new trees in NYC, fresh water campaigns, and public tv. Go figure. (Again, there are those that would call me a 'fan')

Mr. Byrne, you have a right to your opinion, but I hope one day that opinon forms just a memory, and you truly can engage the soul of Cleveland and all it's current potential. Deep down I know it's coming around.

from Cool Cleveland contributor Todd Richards http://www.RunningLate.org/todd

Todd Richards is a works in the Cleveland TV Media, and also teaches at Baldwin-Wallace College in the Broadcasting Mass Communications Department. His weekly radio show Running Late on BW's 88.3FM The Sting just celebrated its first decade on the air.

 (:divend:)