da_saga

The "Brendan and A.J. Saga"

Brendan is no longer a SlideMeister for a variety of reasons. The following collection of un-edited, dated posts, which can be all be verified as such) are stored in a few different places, will show who the real "bully" is. Read from the bottom - for the context.

Brendan,

Thanx for the pix! Wow! Nice stuff ya got there! I sincerely hope you do well with them, but I really don't need the ongoing threat of the drama that comes with just having you on SlideMeister.

So far, I've only told about five close friends (who asked me back in December) about our "disagreement," and I only told those because they wrote and asked me. I don't hang out dirty laundry for the world to see. I don't blackmail to get my way, and I don't try to crash someone's website when he doesn't agree with me. What? You didn't know about that??

Two days after your rant to Harp-l, one of your clever diatonic playing friends hacked past the forum's security then shared the hack with SPAMMERS, and SlideMeister was overrun with over four hundred SPAMMER applications a day, which took me six days to get straightened out. Meantime, I had to run I.P.checks on a couple thousand applications to filter them out from legitimate signups. That has never happened in fifteen years, but it also coincided with my receiving a porn bomb, and am still receiving some nasty filthy emails attacking SlideMeister, me and my Christianity to this day. I also received reports from my spies about other so-called ex-members' posts on other "harp groups" lying about why they were banned from SlideMeister. (Some of which are actually funny cuz the writers sound like seven year old kids)

In short; as a result of what you posted on Harp-L, some of your "pro-active" diatonic friends tried to destroy SlideMeister as a forum, and me personally. So you'll excuse me if I'm still a little cranky about it. I'm okay at "forgiving," but haven't got the "forgetting" part to work yet.

Over the years, I've found the above types of tactics to be commonplace with much of the diatonic community. Although I have diatonic playing friends that I respect and admire, I want nothing to do with the other 95%. (and certainly don't want them anywhere near this forum) They just ain't nice, they can't be trusted, most of'em have attitudes, they tend to be loose canons and like you, when they don't get their way, they always show their true colours.

Okay, Getting back, I offered you a better deal than I was giving the Swan store at the time, and you used it to try to smear and discredit me. Now, the only way, I'll consider running your adds or banners is if you don't personally participate in any discussion on SlideMeister. Adds - okay, Brendan - Nah! No, I'm not mad; I'm just done dealing with you. :o\

While I don't expect you to take me up on it: in the spirit of "whatever," here's a very private deal for ya:
~PRIVATE CONTENT DELETED~

FTR, I'm okay with any any decisions you make; just remember, I was quiet the last time, but if you post any derogatory statements regarding SlideMeister or me, I will publish my side of the story (and this personal message dated 17, April 2015 and saved in the forum's backup files) and on all my sites. (Not just tell the story, but back it up with copies (or screenshots) of all pertinent communications (including this one) in their entirety, which when read shows why I have nothing to hide.

Okay, Gotta go get some work done.

All the best!

A.J.

On 4/15/2015 7:37 AM, Brendan Power wrote:
> Hi AJ,
>
> I'd like to mend fences, bury hatchets. I hope you're open to that as well.
>
> I over-reacted to your proposal for payment on Slidemeister re. my new harmonicas and made some hash comments on Harp-L. However after Elizabeth's stern and well-argued reply, I publicly apologised to her and you.
>
> In the intervening time I've come to think that maybe your idea of a special board for my stuff wasn't so bad after all. Could we work something out - for example by compromising on the payment?
>
> I attach photos of my latest baby, a bass harmonica with a slider, plus a 10 hole Seydel OctaChrom and a 14 hole Suzuki DoubleChrom. All this stuff suits Slidemeister so well, as it's all about chromatic harmonicas with sliders, so I hope we can work something out.
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Brendan
> www.brendan-power.com
> www.YouTube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: A.J.Fedor [mailto:site@slidemeister.com]
> Sent: 09 December 2014 01:18
> To: Brendan Power
> Subject: Re: Reported post: Re: The TWIN-HARMONICA SYSTEM is Announced by SlideMeister (ajfedor)
>
> Buh Bye!
>
>
>
> On 12/8/2014 6:20 PM, Brendan Power wrote:
>> Hi AJ,
>>
>> I had a think about it, and I came to conclusion that you need me more
>> than I need you.
>>
>> Here's the deal. Or as you so sweetly put it, "here's my
>> (non-negotiable)>>> offer::-)"
>>
>> I'm allowed to answer queries about my chromatic harmonica-based
>> inventions on Slidemeister as any other inventor (Vern Smith, or Joe
>> Piccirilli for example) is, and every other harmonica list allows.
>>
>> If you continue to ban me in this absurd way, I shall have to leave
>> Slidemeister. In that case, I will inform the harmonica scene the
>> truth about the reason why:
>>
>> I was being banned from answering questions about my chromatic
>> harmonica inventions on the world's premier chromatic harmonica chat
>> list unless I paid $600 per year.
>>
>> I think quite a few people might find that kind of surprising.
>>
>> Over to you,
>>
>> BP
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Fri, December 5, 2014 5:25 pm, A.J.Fedor wrote:
>>> Okay, great!
>>> I'll be here.
>>>
>>>
>>> Age
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 12/4/2014 11:50 PM, Brendan Power wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi AJ,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Thanks for your interesting suggestion. I didn't see that one coming!
>>>> Not
>>>> sure what to think about it right now, will cogitate and get back to
>>>> you.
>>>>
>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Brendan
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, December 5, 2014 1:11 am, A.J.Fedor wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hey Brendan
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Okay here's the deal. (analogies aside) Call it what you like; but
>>>>> anyone will agree; what you're proposing its still advertising,
>>>>> regardless of how you couch it.:-) So, here's my (non-negotiable)
>>>>> offer::-) I make
>>>>> you a board in the Chromatic section called: Brendan's Stuff,
>>>>> Brendan's Corner, whatever you like (I personally fancy "Brendan's
>>>>> Power Tools" but that's neither here no there) where you can take,
>>>>> and answer questions regarding your line of Chromatics in the
>>>>> Chromatic section AND if you like, similar board in the the
>>>>> diatonic section where you can do the same for your diatonic stuff.
>>>>> These boards can cover _all_ your stuff if you like, and YOU in
>>>>> turn will maintain a banner add account like the one you had
>>>>> before, which will include a banner for the Chromatic boards and if
>>>>> you wish, another diatonic banner for the diatonic section.
>>>>>
>>>>> per month - $60 per quarter - $165 semi annually - $310 yearly
>>>>> -$600 Any
>>>>>
>>>> one
>>>>> of the above mentioned plans will keep your board(s) "lit up"
>>>>> (visible) as
>>>>> long as your account is current.
>>>>>
>>>>> Over to you :-)
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> A.J.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 12/3/2014 2:47 PM, Brendan Power wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi AJ,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Slidemeister is the premier chromatic harmonica site on the web.
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> Twin-Harmonica System is undoubtedly the biggest advance in
>>>>>> chromatic harmonica design since the Hohner 260 first came on the
>>>>>> scene about 100 years ago. At this point I’m the only guy who
>>>>>> knows how it works.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It seems absurd that legitimate questions by members of the premier
>>>>>> chromatic harmonica online forum about a radical new system that
>>>>>> is destined to transform the instrument going forward into the
>>>>>> next
>>>>>> 100
>>>>>> years cannot be answered by the inventor.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I can understand your concerns about advertising but, beyond the
>>>>>> first post which was on a board specifically created for new
>>>>>> products, I have only been answering queries. Slidemeister members
>>>>>> are all mature folks and pretty savvy. They are not going to rush
>>>>>> out and buy something just because anyone says they should. On the
>>>>>> other hand, something as new and game-changing as the THS has lots
>>>>>> of fascinating new possibilities that folks want to explore. I’m
>>>>>> the only guy that can answer those questions right now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> For the inventor of a game-changing chromatic harmonica system to
>>>>>> be banned from discussing his invention on a forum devoted to the
>>>>>> chromatic harmonica is pretty extreme censorship, AJ! Sure it’s
>>>>>> your list and you can decide what goes, but if you ban me from
>>>>>> discussing my own chromatic harmonica invention, then you are not
>>>>>> only doing Slidemeister members a disservice but putting
>>>>>> Slidemeister in danger of becoming a dull backwater of discussion
>>>>>> of only old models.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To draw an analogy (and forgetting the internet wasn’t invented
>>>>>> then!), imagine there was a list devoted to discussion of home
>>>>>> lighting in the 19^th century. For many years there is a pleasant
>>>>>> to-and-fro about various forms of gas lighting, whale oil, candles
>>>>>> etc. Suddenly in 1879 one of the list members by the name of
>>>>>> Thomas Edison announces he has patented a new-fangled thing called
>>>>>> the “Electric Light”. Beyond the initial announcement the list owner
>>>>>> bans the inventor from discussing his invention, saying “I
>>>>>> have absolutely no problem with the discussion of the new Electric
>>>>>> Light as long as _you_ don't participate, Mr Edison!”.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Despite the desire of the list members to find out more about his
>>>>>> new electric light, the inventor cannot answer legitimate
>>>>>> questions because the list owner decrees it to be
>>>>>> “advertising”. Just imagine what would happen to that
>>>>>> discussion list as the electric light quickly supplants all
>>>>>> earlier forms of lighting, and discussion of the game-changing
>>>>>> technology moves elsewhere. Also imagine what the historical judgement will be on that list owner.
>>>>>> Instead of welcoming
>>>>>> the inside skinny from Mr. Edison making the list the hottest
>>>>>> place to hear the hot news on his further developments, he turned
>>>>>> him away. History will not judge that list owner kindly.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I’m NOT saying the Twin-Harmonica System is on a par with
>>>>>> electric light in terms of its impact on the wider society at all!
>>>>>> But I do
>>>>>> believe it will transform the world of the chromatic harmonica in
>>>>>> the same way as the electric light transformed lighting. As it
>>>>>> becomes perfected and the price goes down, folks will become
>>>>>> accustomed to having all that stuff they never had before:
>>>>>> whole-tone trills, lots of enharmonic notes and alternate phrasing
>>>>>> options, all-bending ability in Solo tuning with a slider etc
>>>>>> etc…
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> It’s your call AJ, but please think about it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Best Regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Brendan Power
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> WEBSITES: www.brendan-power.com <http://www.brendan-power.com/> ●
>>>>>> www.x-reed.com <http://www.x-reed.com/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>>>>>> <http://www.facebook.com/BrendanPowerMusic>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>>>>>> <http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> *From:*A.J.Fedor [mailto:site@slidemeister.com]
>>>>>> *Sent:* 03 December 2014 17:50
>>>>>> *To:* bren@brendan-power.com
>>>>>> *Subject:* Re: Reported post: Re: The TWIN-HARMONICA SYSTEM is
>>>>>> Announced by SlideMeister (ajfedor)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yo Brendan!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sorry for the delay getting back with you, but I've been out and
>>>>>> about a lot yesterday and today (dentist this morning and doctor's
>>>>>> appointment this afternoon. (Bleah!:-\ )
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Okay, I agree with what you said below except:
>>>>>> SlideMeister is free /discussion/ forum where MEMBERS discuss stuff.
>>>>>> While you are a member, you are also the one who will profit
>>>>>> directly from those discussions; so _your_ entering in turns the
>>>>>> discussion into "advertising.":-X
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have absolutely no problem with the discussion of the new
>>>>>> Chromatics as long as _you_ don't participate. Heck, even you have
>>>>>> /someone/
>>>>>> say:
>>>>>> "Brendan says this or that" I'll let it slide, but technically,
>>>>>> _you_ can't answer questions personally. That's what your website
>>>>>> is for.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Off to the next doctor!;-)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Age
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 12/3/2014 1:30 AM, bren@brendan-power.com
>>>>>> <mailto:bren@brendan-power.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The following post, "Re: The TWIN-HARMONICA SYSTEM is Announced" by
>>>>>> SlideMeister (ajfedor) has been reported by Brendan Power on a
>>>>>> board you moderate:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The
>>>>>> topic:http://www.slidemeister.com/forums/index.php?topic=11091.msg
>>>>>> 13
>>>>>> 407
>>>>>> 4#msg134074
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Moderation
>>>>>> center:http://www.slidemeister.com/forums/index.php?action=moderat
>>>>>> e;
>>>>>> are a=reports;report=68
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The reporter has made the following comment:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi Age, the Twin-Harmonica System is the biggest new step in
>>>>>> chromatic harmonicas since they were first invented. It creates
>>>>>> entirely new Chromatics never seen before. This is a forum devoted
>>>>>> to slider chromatics. Where can it be discussed
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The SlideMeister Forum Team.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com <http://www.avg.com>
>>>>>> Version: 2015.0.5577 / Virus Database: 4235/8674 - Release Date:
>>>>>> 12/03/14
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>
>>