CASA - The Contemporary A Capella Society

Now, don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing in the world that I
find sweeter than those pure harmonies, with the possible exception of Mrs.
Pug. And every now and then, when an a cappella song hits the charts, no one is
strutting prouder than yours truly. Even if the song is crappy, like it usually
is (except for “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” – that was a great song with a positive
message, and Pug respects that). But normal people and the kids these days just
don’t care or even notice when there aren’t any instruments
in a song. They’ll just hear it in the mall and think “Wow, I really like this
piece of crap song more than most of the other piece of crap songs! I don’t
know why, though. It just sounds more groovier!” Then the greasy-haired kid
hands them their Boardwalk Fries, they stuff their face to make their asses
even fatter, and they forget about it.

But let’s say these record people all get together, they get
really really high on their dope, and they create a “Best A Cappella
Group/Song/Album/Whatever” award. How do you think they’d decide? Would they
carefully weigh one group against another? Just look at all of the categories
we have for CARA awards – it’s eighty kabillion kinds of music! Would they have
a debate on whether So Vo So’s voicings trump Naturally 7’s, and then think
about M-pact’s use of vocal percussion? No way, Paco! They’d just give it to
whoever sold the most albums, and I’m sure that Rockapella sells dozens and
dozens more each year than anyone else.

Now you’re saying, “Well, Pug, maybe if there was an award,
a cappella would sell more!” I say “poppycock”. To do that, you’d have to make
a cappella as bland and stupid as the rest of pop music. (And where does that
get you?  Two words:  “Sean Altman”.)
And that’s why the award just isn’t worth a damn. For every Johnny Cash, there
are ten Lou Begas. And I really wish that that guy had stopped after his fourth
mambo.

So just keep making music they way you like it, and be proud
of your CARA (though I’ll have some words on that another time). But if you do
make the “Big Leagues” like Toxic Audio, ol’ Pug will be proud of you, lifting
up a cold one in your honor.

Pug James is a big a cappella fan, and he knows what works. He doesn't care if you don't like what he thinks, and you can write him at
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