Kyle Sweet Benefit Question - Cynical Thought

[LazzMan]

First, I'll say that I've been a Stryper fan for more than 20 years and I love Michael Sweet. As a family man and a Christian, I will also say that I am extremely sympathetic to him losing his wife to cancer.

Having said that, isn't it just a bit disingenuous to have a benefit concert, in the name of his wife, simply to support sending a rock star's kids through college? Michael is doing well these days with a new Stryper album (and supporting tour) coming up as well as his recent work with Boston. OK, he hasn't actually written anything with Boston so, the only money he gets from that deal comes from touring. I also know that any royalties he might get from Stryper or his solo work won't be anywhere near what Aerosmith's or Van Halen's royalties would be. But, I would have to think that he's doing better than the average blue-collar guy. Besides, not to sound cruel but, did his wife actually generate a significant income? Maybe she did, I don't know. But, if so, is her lack of income the difference between the kids going to school or not?

I know that Christian artists don't even come close to making the money that mainstream artists do but, it does seem odd to me to have a fundraiser for an accomplished rock star's kids. Maybe the money would end up going to other things like paying off medical bills or, perhaps other related things but, there is no indication of that. If it were some other cause...one that his wife may have been close to, for example...then, OK. I would get that. I guess I just don't understand this move. But, it could certainly be just me.

Thoughts???

[Ehwmatt]

Yeah, one thought: You don't have any idea what his financial situation is, so it isn't your right to pry.

Trust me, I got a relative working finances for a very, very accomplished rock star and producer who has had hit songs, prolific production credits, and the like, and his financial situation couldn't be worse right now. He just applied for a second mortgage on his home and was turned down. The guy is hurting, and I guarantee he's made tons more than Michael has. Rock star in question definitely made some questionable choices over his career, but he was by no means ridiculous like some of these other guys are.

No one is recession proof and everybody's hurting, even the rich. I'm sure Michael is far from rock royalty in terms of career earnings...

[KDOUBLEU]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

[KDOUBLEU]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

[LazzMan]

Yeah, one thought: You don't have any idea what his financial situation is, so it isn't your right to pry.

Trust me, I got a relative working finances for a very, very accomplished rock star and producer who has had hit songs, prolific production credits, and the like, and his financial situation couldn't be worse right now. He just applied for a second mortgage on his home and was turned down. The guy is hurting, and I guarantee he's made tons more than Michael has. Rock star in question definitely made some questionable choices over his career, but he was by no means ridiculous like some of these other guys are.

No one is recession proof and everybody's hurting, even the rich. I'm sure Michael is far from rock royalty in terms of career earnings...

OK, I get it. I was just offering my observation but, your points are very valid and, you're right, I have no clue what his portfolio looks like and every situation is different. I knew this topic felt a little funny after I posted it.

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

[Ehwmatt]

Yeah, one thought: You don't have any idea what his financial situation is, so it isn't your right to pry.

Trust me, I got a relative working finances for a very, very accomplished rock star and producer who has had hit songs, prolific production credits, and the like, and his financial situation couldn't be worse right now. He just applied for a second mortgage on his home and was turned down. The guy is hurting, and I guarantee he's made tons more than Michael has. Rock star in question definitely made some questionable choices over his career, but he was by no means ridiculous like some of these other guys are.

No one is recession proof and everybody's hurting, even the rich. I'm sure Michael is far from rock royalty in terms of career earnings...

OK, I get it. I was just offering my observation but, your points are very valid and, you're right, I have no clue what his portfolio looks like and every situation is different. I knew this topic felt a little funny after I posted it.

Good man, I respect that. Another thing to keep in mind is how bad the artists got fucked above everyone else in the music industry with the industry meltdown, which predated this overall crisis by quite a few years. Hell, even in the heyday, the artists were often getting the short end of the stick. That's what happened with the guy I talked about above.

[Lula]

i hadn't heard his wife passed, very sad. cancer is not a battle that is easily won and it has taken its toll on many. it saddens me to think of young children losing their mother.

with respect to a benefit concert..... i suppose if you want to catch the show you'll pay for a ticket and where the money made goes may not even be an issue. if he wants to raise money to send his children to college so be it. i don't see the connection to his wife per se, but maybe her wish was to provide her children with a college education- sans student loans or maybe she created a fund in her name to send kids to college? if you want to see the show does it matter?

[Ehwmatt]

i hadn't heard his wife passed, very sad. cancer is not a battle that is easily won and it has taken its toll on many. it saddens me to think of young children losing their mother.

with respect to a benefit concert..... i suppose if you want to catch the show you'll pay for a ticket and where the money made goes may not even be an issue. if he wants to raise money to send his children to college so be it. i don't see the connection to his wife per se, but maybe her wish was to provide her children with a college education- sans student loans or maybe she created a fund in her name to send kids to college? if you want to see the show does it matter?

Great point

[KDOUBLEU]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

How do you know I dont know the ramifications of Cancer Bills? My family has been through it You pompous jerk.

[Jubilee]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

WHOA! If I may chime in here, I think K-dub's point here is that lots of kids work their way through school. It's not a punishment to learn a life lesson, that's just the way it is. We really don't know what this guys financial situation is, but, there is the "appearance" of some sort of sense of entitlement. I would imagine it wouldn't sit well for the average working class Joe to see a benefit to further enrich someone they already perceive to be "Rich".

That's just my .08 cents (ajusted for inflation, of course).

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

How do you know I dont know the ramifications of Cancer Bills? My family has been through it You pompous jerk.

Oh spare me. I've lost my grandmother and aunt to breast cancer, grandfather to lung cancer. Anyway, aside from that, I was talking about the way the illness affected Michael's particular situation. Everyone knows catastrophic illnesses cost big bucks. I wasn't implying you didn't.

As for being pompous, well, take a look at your initial posts.

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

WHOA! If I may chime in here, I think K-dub's point here is that lots of kids work their way through school. It's not a punishment to learn a life lesson, that's just the way it is. We really don't know what this guys financial situation is, but, there is the "appearance" of some sort of sense of entitlement. I would imagine it wouldn't sit well for the average working class Joe to see a benefit to further enrich someone they already perceive to be "Rich".

That's just my .08 cents (ajusted for inflation, of course).

I didn't say it was a punishment - it's just different philosophies. Kdub is entitled to his, just like I said before. Some people believe what Kdub does, others want to send their kids through school. You don't have to be rich to do the latter (although that is quickly changing the way these tuition costs keep going up). There's no entitlement here, besides Michael wanting his kids to be debt-free after school. I'd be willing to bet there are at least a few members of these forums "richer" than Michael, especially post-cancer.

This is not the time to be judging the man, his intentions, or his "entitlement." Especially when we have no idea what HIS PARTICULAR situation is like after his wife's illness and passing.

[KDOUBLEU]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

How do you know I dont know the ramifications of Cancer Bills? My family has been through it You pompous jerk.

Oh spare me. I've lost my grandmother and aunt to breast cancer, grandfather to lung cancer. Anyway, aside from that, I was talking about the way the illness affected Michael's particular situation. Everyone knows catastrophic illnesses cost big bucks. I wasn't implying you didn't.

As for being pompous, well, take a look at your initial posts.

Like I said Im all for helping someone pay Medical bills Especially someone like Michael Sweet he is a class act. I just dont get the whole college fund. Lets start a fund for all of our kids. They all deserve to go to College.

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

How do you know I dont know the ramifications of Cancer Bills? My family has been through it You pompous jerk.

Oh spare me. I've lost my grandmother and aunt to breast cancer, grandfather to lung cancer. Anyway, aside from that, I was talking about the way the illness affected Michael's particular situation. Everyone knows catastrophic illnesses cost big bucks. I wasn't implying you didn't.

As for being pompous, well, take a look at your initial posts.

Like I said Im all for helping someone pay Medical bills Especially someone like Michael Sweet he is a class act. I just dont get the whole college fund. Lets start a fund for all of our kids. They all deserve to go to College.

I totally agree. I'm sorry if I offended you; I wasn't ever implying that you didn't know what it was like to cope with illness. But I honestly think college costs need to be addressed as urgently as some of the other huge problems we have in our country. They are just getting ridiculous. Many public universities are starting to break the 20k barrier. Something has to give - people are only going to be able to do this for so long, whether they are getting by with loans or getting help from their parents.

[Chevypv]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

I don't get how his wifes illness and his kids college are getting grouped in here.... yeah, his wifed died, thats terrible... but did she provide income? If the benefit was for something pertaining to the illness it would make sense. If its a benefit for his kids college call it that, but don't call it a benefit for his wife. idk it just seems a little bait and switch...

[Ehwmatt]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

I don't get how his wifes illness and his kids college are getting grouped in here.... yeah, his wifed died, thats terrible... but did she provide income? If the benefit was for something pertaining to the illness it would make sense. If its a benefit for his kids college call it that, but don't call it a benefit for his wife. idk it just seems a little bait and switch...

Can you answer that? If not, exactly my point. You don't know. Anyone who finds it objectionable doesn't need to go, as Lula pointed out.

[Chevypv]

and i may sound like an uncaring ass for this but I think it does build character to have to pay for your own college. or at least look for your own financial aid. I promise you i would have failed college if I hadn't paid for it cause i would have skated through it just like i did high school.

[Ehwmatt]

and i may sound like an uncaring ass for this but I think it does build character to have to pay for your own college. or at least look for your own financial aid. I promise you i would have failed college if I hadn't paid for it cause i would have skated through it just like i did high school.

Plenty of kids do fail out for that reason, no doubt. I got friends who were payin their own way who have failed out though too. I think what it comes down to is that at some point in your life, you gotta learn to have pride in what you're doing for yourself, not for your parents or for anyone else. Some people learn it in sports by 14, some people learn it in high school when they dream of going to a prestigious school, some people learn it in college, some learn it at their second job. Everybody learns it at their own pace I guess. The earlier the better, obviously.

And you don't sound like an "uncaring ass." That's your belief and it definitely has plenty of credence, as your own case shows.

[Lula]

ehwmatt you're alright

[KDOUBLEU]

My kids had to pay for there own college I couldnt afford to give them a cent. I think it made them work harder knowing they were footing the Bill.

That's nice, what's your point?

Why should his kids get a free ride. dont get me wrong I love Stryper I grew up listening to Michael. But why a benifit for his kids College?? If he has medical bills that he cant pay Im all for it but i dont get the college thing.

You don't have any idea what the ramifications of his wife's illness were. Maybe he didn't have the college funds stored away in a 529 and they got eaten up by medical expenses. Or shit, to play devil's advocate, maybe he was irresponsible and didn't save a dime for them and is now capitalizing on his wife's illness (pretty sick, I really doubt he or anyone would do this). Point is, you don't have any idea and it's wrong for anyone to speculate about his situation this way.

As for why his kids should get a "free ride," well fuck the guy sideways for trying to start them off the right way and ease their debt burden. Not everyone believes starting their kids off 100k in the hole makes the "lesson" learned worth it, as you do. You're entitled to your philosophy and Michael is entitled to his.

How do you know I dont know the ramifications of Cancer Bills? My family has been through it You pompous jerk.

Oh spare me. I've lost my grandmother and aunt to breast cancer, grandfather to lung cancer. Anyway, aside from that, I was talking about the way the illness affected Michael's particular situation. Everyone knows catastrophic illnesses cost big bucks. I wasn't implying you didn't.

As for being pompous, well, take a look at your initial posts.

Like I said Im all for helping someone pay Medical bills Especially someone like Michael Sweet he is a class act. I just dont get the whole college fund. Lets start a fund for all of our kids. They all deserve to go to College.

I totally agree. I'm sorry if I offended you; I wasn't ever implying that you didn't know what it was like to cope with illness. But I honestly think college costs need to be addressed as urgently as some of the other huge problems we have in our country. They are just getting ridiculous. Many public universities are starting to break the 20k barrier. Something has to give - people are only going to be able to do this for so long, whether they are getting by with loans or getting help from their parents.

Thanks I apologize as well and I agree 100% about the problem with College Costs.

[NealIsGod]

Maybe the Sweets spent their kids college funds on medical treatment and want to replace it?

[Perrydise]

Today a trip to the emergency room can break people, more so than last year at this time. This was a long and costly (both emotionally and financially) 25 months for this family.

This is a charity event. There are tons of them out there now, you pick and choose.

Like it has been said, if you want to see the show, see it, if not, don't.

[Voyager]

Yeah, one thought: You don't have any idea what his financial situation is, so it isn't your right to pry.

100% agreed. Look at Brad fucking Delp - he was living in a shithole of a house compared to other rock stars of his caliber. So much for Tom Scholz was paying his staff well.

What a low blow... I hope Michael doesn't read this thread. He's hurting bad enough after losing the love of his life. I would probably be an emotional basket case if my wife died, and I think a benefit would be very supportive to Michael to let him know people car. I'm guessing it wasn't even his idea.

I think you should edit the title of it to "Please Delete". We all make mistakes.

[MrsPerry]

this deserves a nuke.