Realization: Keeping It Real as a Fan or Maintaining a Disjointed View...Take Your Pick...

A few weeks ago I received a few disturbing messages from a "fan" who wanted to share their opinions with me about how an entertainer is really supposed to act towards their fans. The emails struck me as odd because the person that sent them to me became friends with me under the premise that maybe I could get them closer to their target since I worked with them. The emails started off with, "...I just had the opportunity to meet another musician who really cares about their fans, and are rather disappointed in (said musician) for not responding to their fans when they email them or reach out to them..."

Ok cool, however, since I am not the (said musician) I was baffled as to why I was privy to "said" conversation in the first place. This person also went on to add a disclaimer that stated, "...(said musician) and myself were not all that because we don't care about our fans..."

People let me explain something to you....when I'm working with (said musicians or entertainers) I AM really just working with them. I have nothing to do with how they interact with their fans or people in the community. I'm writing this because I noticed throughout the past few months, I have been held accountable for the actions of another simply because I know them...(yes I know the addage, "guilty by association") but I'm really not the one on stage entertaining folks...I am the person behind the scenes minding my own "bidness" trying to make an honest dollar.

I will however shed a little light for those of you and the "groupie love" you possess. Musicians, those truly dedicated to their craft are VERY BUSY people. Throughout the day they normally don't have time to grab a sensible lunch or a cup of coffee, let alone email you back because you just have to have a message from them. By the way most messages you may receive are generally from the Webmaster and not the artist themselves, so while you think you're having a nice one-on-one conversation...think again...

Since most of the musician's time is taken up in the studio (i.e. rehearsing, practicing, writing, collaborating, video and photo shoots, etc....) there is not much time to focus on what someone is posting to their comments here in MySpace. However, when time is permitted some make take the time to peruse comments and mail...some may be catching a flight to their shows or some may be getting ready to go on tour...

In either respect, to have a disjointed view of how musicians should conduct themselves with their fans is a little off-centered. Not to mention crazy. These people are seriously working hard for their money like everyone else...they work hard to give you the music YOU want...they work hard to keep you entertained...they are not Postmasters....they do not need you standing at their doorsteps bearing gifts proclaiming your deep and undying love for them...

These are real people with "real" jobs, who probably have a 9-5 in addition to entertaining you....your expectations about how they should recognize your super fandom is ridiculous....be happy for them....support the music....don't expect them to bed you down and create a child from the union...and don't expect them to speak to you every damn day...it's just not happening....

So before you think to write me another email about (said musician's) conduct, think about whether or not you're keeping it real as a fan or maintaining a disjointed viewpoint...then ask yourself this question:

Do you really think Lenny Kravitz has time to chill out with you on MySpace? Is it fair to get mad because he didn't respond to your mail? (if you answered "no" to any of these, you can be rehabilitated)

Keep it real folks....just keep it real...