My Shout‑Out To The People Who Keep Local Las Vegas Alive!

 You know, every once in a while, it's nice to receive a "Thank You" for what you do :-)

When I rolled into Las Vegas back in 1999, I already had 31 years in the media biz as a ghost — writing in the shadows, grinding through deadlines, and living the kind of behind‑the‑scenes hustle only lifers understand. "Been there, done that", I thought!

Not long after I hit town, two of Vegas’ top photographers pulled me aside. These were the kings of the pit, the guys who owned every stage in the local music scene. They told me my work was really good… then warned me that might be the very thing that would burn me out. They said the politics, the jealousy, the haters, and the noise would eventually make me lose interest and walk away. Well — decades later, I’m still here, just barely.

And here’s the truth: I never even considered photography as my strong point. Writing is, was, and will always be who I am! Taking pics is just a side gig for me.

Las Vegas used to be packed with local media pros who covered the local music scene because they lived it. Journalists, writers, photographers, and podcasters who knew every dive bar stage, every late‑night jam, every band grinding through the neon haze. They weren’t tourists with press badges — they were locals who showed up because the music mattered, documenting the scene from the inside out.

Today, the roster’s thinned to a couple of magazines, a handful of writers still swinging, a few podcasts fighting the good fight, and a handful of talented photographers keeping the flame alive.

Being a local media member in this town isn’t easy! You deal with armchair experts who swear they know more about media than the people actually doing the work. You deal with people who talk behind your back. You deal with has-beens that never was. You deal with haters who get jealous because your name hits the spotlight and theirs doesn’t. And you deal with people who simply don’t appreciate your grind — the long nights, the hustle, the passion it takes to keep Vegas’ local music story alive.

But the ones still standing? They’re locals. They’re loyal. They love music, and they're proud to show it through their work!. And you know who you are. Good job. Thanks for keeping the music scene alive, and for keeping Las Vegas on the map. I appreciate you!

To all the amateur writers, journalists, photographers, and podcasters, O hell yes, thank you!  You’re the ones in the trenches, the ones hauling cameras into dark bars, scribbling notes under neon lights, hitting “record” in living rooms and garages because nobody else is telling the story. Your work is raw, real, and absolutely vital. You keep the pulse beating when the pros thin out. You keep the scene visible when the big outlets look the other way. And your work? It’s awesome too. Don’t let anyone — the armchair critics, the jealous shadows, the noise — tell you otherwise. Vegas stays on the map because you show up. And I appreciate every damn one of you!!

And lastly — to the two badass photographers who pulled me aside all those years ago, trying to warn me about what was coming… You nailed it. You hit it right on the head! Is it to late to say thank you?

Gary England

Why Toxic Know Nothing Armchair Critics Attack Talented Musicians And Performers On Social Media

WARNING: RANT ALERT!

 Research Provided By: 

American Psychological Association / Professional Services & Consulting

I get tired of seeing know-nothing armchair critics post bad things about my very talented musician friends, and my friends who are in the show business world on social media platforms!

Here are my thoughts, and the thoughts from psychology professionals and doctors about this abnormal behavior.

Every musician who’s ever posted a killer clip, a glowing review, or a packed‑house photo knows the pattern: the better the performance, the louder the know‑nothing critics get. These aren’t industry pros, fellow musicians, or even informed fans. They’re armchair commentators who contribute nothing yet feel compelled to tear down people who are actually doing the work really well!

So why do they do it? The answer is a mix of psychology, insecurity, and the strange incentives of social media.

🎭 1. Excellence Exposes Insecurity

Great performers trigger something uncomfortable in people who’ve never taken a risk, never stepped on a stage, and never put their talent on display. When someone sees a musician thriving, it highlights their own lack of achievement. Instead of being inspired, they lash out.

Criticism becomes a shield — a way to pretend they’re above the thing they’re actually afraid to try.

📱 2. Social Media Rewards Negativity

Platforms amplify comments that spark reactions, and negativity spreads faster than praise. Armchair critics know this instinctively. A snarky jab or dismissive comment gets attention, replies, and engagement.

For someone who has no real voice or audience, stirring up conflict becomes their only way to feel relevant.

🪞 3. They Mistake Opinion for Expertise

The internet has blurred the line between having a thought and having knowledge. Many critics genuinely believe their uninformed opinion carries the same weight as years of training, rehearsal, and live performance experience.

They don’t understand the craft — but they’re convinced they do.

🎤 4. They Want the Power Without the Work

Performers earn their spotlight through sweat, discipline, and vulnerability. Critics want the feeling of authority without any of the responsibility. Commenting is easy. Creating is hard.

Tearing down someone else’s work gives them a temporary illusion of superiority.

🧩 5. They Don’t See the Human Being Behind the Art

Distance makes cruelty easier. When a musician is just a face on a screen, critics forget they’re talking to a real person with real effort behind every note. The lack of empathy fuels comments they would never say in person to their face!

⭐ The Truth: Their Comments Say Nothing About the Performer

Toxic know-nothing critics don’t reveal flaws in the artist — they reveal flaws in themselves. Great performers keep growing, keep playing, keep winning crowds. Armchair critics stay exactly where they are: on the sidelines, shouting into the void.

The best musicians know this: the louder the critics get, the more your work is reaching people. And nothing frustrates a toxic know-nothing commenter more than seeing an artist succeed anyway.

{My Take}

In the end, toxic know-nothing armchair critics aren’t a threat to real talent — they’re background noise. Great performers keep creating, keep improving, and keep winning over real fans, while the know‑nothings stay stuck in the comment section, shouting into the void. The smartest artists understand this simple truth: criticism from the unqualified is just proof that your work is reaching people who could never do what you do. Let them talk — you’ve got a stage to own!

Gary England