Tift Merritt: We've got a live one here

........who wonders why Merritt is even an issue other than she's a local.

I'd like to just leave a huge "yawn", but David will erase it. LOL!

Merritt is an ok talent and she has obviously put a lot of work into it; however, after checking her out on a late night show once, I can only say that this woman will never set the world on fire and should be very pleased and grateful for the success she has had.

In the music business, it's who will continue to throw the mud against the fence who "makes it". Merritt seems to be a plugger.

However, there are millions of singers out there with much more raw talent, and certainly, much more style and attractiveness.

I'lll never forget the warmth in her voice (and my heart) when she paused to listen to the train whistle during her concert last year in the art museum amphitheater.

I've stopped to listen to that same whistle every day for the past twenty or so years. She brought honor and art to that daily aural tribute and demonstrated unique genius in recognizing the music that can simply fall out of the air.

Thanks, Dave. Keep up the good work.

I stand by my comments. Look, like I said, she's very talented, there's no denying that; I'm just not a fan of hers and I think Dave Menconi spends a lot of time writing about her. Case in point (and this is just the last few months) : 7/22/08 8/20/08 8/23/08 10/29/08 11/2/08 11/6/08 1/8/09 Every music critic has their favorites. Just about every time you pick up the INDY, it's something about The Rosebuds; with the N&O, it's Tift Merritt. Menconi does a fine job of letting us know (ad nauseum) about Tift's every move. She could make a peanut butter sandwich and he'd write about it. As for her lack of play on local radio, it's a sad fact, but one that won't change. Radio stations are driven by playlists and focus groups. Local radio, back in the good old days (WKIX, WQDR, etc. - before they were corporate country stations) used to play some local acts. Today, it's a different story. My problem with Tift was that she got herself on the cover of just about every local media property (INDY, N&O, Metro, and several others) complaining about radio not playing HER music; the thrust of her complaint was self-driven, not some altruistic desire to see ALL local acts played on the radio. She even asked Mr. Curtis of Curtis Media point blank, "why aren't you playing MY music?" Musicians have to be self-promoting. Tift has shown that she does that very well, with David Menconi's help indeed. As for the "taking my picture in a mirror" photography, who on MySpace DOESN'T do that?

If David were obsessed with Tift Merritt, he likely would have listed her 2008 album among his list of the year's best. I don't think he did.
Rather than obsession, what tends to get Tift a lot of attention is the fact that she does so many different interesting things beyond the basics of trying to make a living as a performing musician.
And for those of us who enjoy her music, it's nice to learn about the details of her new album, next local concert, and the fact that she's holding a photography exhibit.
Keep it up, David. Thanks.

Menconi, you're obsessed with her. I'm sure that if you could have a column totally devoted to sucking up to Tift Merrit, you'd surely jump at the chance. Give it a rest... Nobody loves Tift Merrit more than Tift Merrit, except you maybe. Personally, although I think she is very talented, her constant whining about why she isn't appreciated more got old quick. Years ago, when she finished her first album, she whined to every media outlet that would listen, about why local radio stations wouldn't play her music - as if she was the only musician in the area that had this issue. Tift should be happy with what she has and shut up for once.