HeidiMorris wrote:
And Paul...we're not talking about less activity on the board over a period of years--we're talking about months. Think of all the people who had been around for a very long time who have suddenly disappeared in the last few months.

I do understand that. And I still think that part of the reason, apart from the new board's confusing and unappealing layout, is the fact that Martina has seemingly lost popularity and many fans lose interest in an artist when that happens.
For example, I am probably the biggest James Brown fan in the world. I stuck with him since 1968 when i was 12, through thick and thin until he died, all through his legal troubles, all through his diminishing record sales, and then he got more popular again in the 1990s and 2000s. however, the majority of his former fans left him beginning in the mid 1970s when his sales ebbed. Only the real diehard fans stick with an artist through loss of popularity.

Amy wrote:
I’m just a little confused what these claims are all about that Martina is losing popularity. She just sang for the president a while back... I don’t think her popularity is suffering too much- not every artist can say they’ve accomplished that in their career.. She’s nominated for a Grammy- How does that translate to her career going downhill. I don’t get it. Wrong Baby Wrong also debuted this week at No. 51 on the charts- it hasn't even been officially released yet- that just comes from stations playing the song early.. and maybe from requests from fans.. people are obviously still wanting to hear her music. And sure, maybe ticket and CD sales have gone down a bit but I don’t think Martina’s sales are the only ones taking a hit in the economy right now.

And if people think her popularity is actually going downhill, why is everyone saying they’re going to leave the website completely? Isn’t this a good time to support her more than ever to show that we still love what she’s doing? I think that’s a much better way of looking at this then getting mad because the ticket issue isn’t going as you hoped or the forum doesn’t look right to you.

Also, how is this Martina’s fault? Artists hire companies like Ground Ctrl to help make the website run as smoothly as possible. Sure, I understand some people’s frustration over the changes but Ground Ctrl is obviously working hard to figure out all of the kinks on the site.. Everyone seems happy with the changes they have already made, so I guess I just don’t get how it all falls back on Martina and John (or Ground Ctrl). I think we all need to remember that there’s other things for them to worry about in a day.. Not just this forum.

Well gee, if you take away ticket and CD sales, then how do you prove anyone's popularity or lack of popularity? Martina's sales haven't gone down "a bit" They have fallen so far that she was forced to cancel and/or reschedule an entire leg of her tour. Yes, the economy is bad, but although canceling concerts isn't as rare as it used to be, it's hardly a sign of popularity. Even in this economy, Taylor Swift is still selling out much larger venues within minutes. Sales may be down for other artists, but not that far. Country radio is also very reluctant to play her music. Again, you can make excuses that she's a woman, and over 40, but that didn't stop Reba from going #1 for how many weeks in a row? And Reba is hardly at the peak of HER popularity.

It is Martina's responsibility because SHE is the one who hired GC, and it's HER career on the line. GC is "Obviously working hard?" "Everyone seems happy with the changes they've already made?" Where? It took them MONTHS just to change the stupid font size. And then they only changed it on some things. They've asked for this same list of problems at least 4 times now, and what has been done? I'm still waiting on the list of the breakdown of what is a FC perk and what isn't that was allegedly being typed up on OCTOBER 22nd. We get a lot of "we're working on it" and a big (temporary) show of concern about what we're saying, with nothing actually ever being done. Even communication will get better for a short while, when someone makes a big fuss like this, and then drops back down to nothing. But we're supposed to believe it's different this time, instead of just more smoke being blown up our behinds? Suuurrreee.

Maybe Martina does need her fans more than ever right now. But shouldn't that mean that Team McBride would go to reasonable lengths to make the fans happy? People aren't leaving the site because it is hard to read. They are leaving because they are tired of being lied to or having their concerns belittled or ignored. Why should they continue to support an artist who is SHOWING so little concern for her fans? (I'm not saying Martina doesn't care, but there is a real disconnect there, at this point) All we get is told to be patient and requests for the same list over and over again. Yeah, there are more important things in this world, but here, on this site, these are the concerns.

Kat

Like I said in my last post- I think Martina's popularity is pretty evident when she continues to be nominated for Grammy's and other awards. Wrong Baby Wrong is already on the Country Charts (#51) and it's not even officially released yet.. stations are obviously playing her music without being reluctant. I'm not sure the claim of her having to cancel all these shows because of her popularity "supposedly" going down is right on either. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of the venues were just too small for the stage production.

Sure, Taylor Swift might be selling out larger venues within minutes- Give it a couple years and she'll be in the same boat as the rest of the artists are now. I don't get how people can say that Martina isn't showing enough concern for her fans.. I think most people would agree with me and say that she's possibly the best artist out there period.. but especially connecting with fans and such. How many other artists out there get to a city to do a show, personally go out and hide tickets somewhere in the city, and then post clues as to where the tickets are? It's quite obvious to me that she cares a lot about her fans.

KatEnigma wrote:

Amy wrote:
Like I said in my last post- I think Martina's popularity is pretty evident when she continues to be nominated for Grammy's and other awards. Wrong Baby Wrong is already on the Country Charts (#51) and it's not even officially released yet.. stations are obviously playing her music without being reluctant. I'm not sure the claim of her having to cancel all these shows because of her popularity "supposedly" going down is right on either. If I'm not mistaken, a lot of the venues were just too small for the stage production.

Sure, Taylor Swift might be selling out larger venues within minutes- Give it a couple years and she'll be in the same boat as the rest of the artists are now. I don't get how people can say that Martina isn't showing enough concern for her fans.. I think most people would agree with me and say that she's possibly the best artist out there period.. but especially connecting with fans and such. How many other artists out there get to a city to do a show, personally go out and hide tickets somewhere in the city, and then post clues as to where the tickets are? It's quite obvious to me that she cares a lot about her fans.

She only started the ticket hiding AFTER Sugarland did it all last summer. And you really think that Martina herself is running around the city on a concert day to hide tickets?

#51 on the charts isn't exactly "popular" ROFL And don't give me this hasn't even been released crap. It was supposed to be released by now, and has been in this "not released" state on the charts for weeks now. Carrie Underwood has made it to the charts, higher than that, for songs that were NEVER released or intende to be. So have the Dixie Chicks.

2 of the venues she claims were too small. The rest got canceled- some only a week before the show- for "scheduling conflicts" You think she just forgot she had something else to do on those dates, so she and Trace canceled the concerts? Seriously?

The only bright side is that very little naivety about the realities of the situation are going on here anymore. It used to be that opinions like this were in the minority. But everyone else who used to defend Martina's every decision with their last breath has either stopped or already bailed from the site.
Kat

Ouch

I think, the board has gone down as well after GC took over. The board is a little hard to see as well. I mosstly read it everyday, but posting is a lot harder now, because it is hard to see.
Hopefully things will be fixed sooner or later.

AMYinATLANTA* wrote:
The worst part for me is that i am starting to not even care anymore....To me, apathy about this forum is quickly becoming my foremost emotion...NOT GOOD....
* OBNOXIOUS, ANNOYING & occasionally AMUSING

And just when I am starting to make new friends. How sad it has become for everyone that used to love coming here.
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Happiness is sharing love in someone's heart.
"Loves the Only House"

GEMMA-LEIGH!!!! I cant even negotiate this forum anymore, it ....takes...waaaay...tooooo ...long....! This whole clicking on a topic heading makes my head spin...takes forever to be able to click on it...

I ain't goin' nowhere, I am just saying my piece...
* OBNOXIOUS, ANNOYING & occasionally AMUSING

Tracy Weaver - Fan Relations Chick wrote:
Ok...you guys are killing me here. I'm working my butt off, and I don't think you know what's going on behind the scenes. Yes, there have been mistakes made. Yes, things could be better. No, it's not Martinaville. But here we are. Fan club membership has doubled since October, and people that were not privy to the old site love this one. I hope it goes without saying that Martina's diehards are so important to me, Martina, her career, etc. but if you hate it here, why are you still hanging around? Katenigma - you sound so angry...about a website?
Again, I'm with ya, I promise. You can't see me pulling my hair out here at my desk, but I am balding.
At the end of the day though, I absolutely love my job, think Martina is the best artist out there, and that her fans are the most passionate, loyal, wonderful people.
Martina & John do look at the site and know everything you do. So yes, they're aware.
I just think you all need to ask why you're here. Martina loves and appreciates her fans...period. That is not up for debate. Unlike Taylor Swift, Martina has other responsibilities that are equally important as music. Her children and her husband. If she dedicated every waking moment to her career things might be a bit busier. But isn't this one of the things we like about her?
I'm just saying that you're right. Things are different. Things have changed. Everything's not perfect.
So what?
I hope you'll all stay, I hope you'll all continue to support Martina, I hope you'll all continue to participate on the site/board, I hope you'll all keep leaving constructive comments on how to make things better, but I hope you'll all think about the message you're sending before you type.
Who loves ya? REALLY!!
Tracy

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Life is too short to be poopy...:)

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