Doug Van Pelt

In defense of Doug Pinnick -- and rock stars everywhere

A guy I know was relating to me his frustration at being told "I'm too busy" (to listen to the demo you gave me and offer feedback/advise/critique). All apologies to this guy (who's really nice and has good taste in music), but he was venting to me about this frustrating thing, making it sound like Doug Pinnick (the rock star of his choice to give a cd of his music to) was the bad guy.

I'm sorry, anonymous bud, but Doug P (or other rock stars, music industry professionals, or other celebrities) is not at fault here.

The whole scenerio is a set-up against him to make him (the rock star) look bad.

When he's offered a cd, if he says no, he looks like a jerk...
If he's says he's too busy to give feedback on it, he looks like a jerk...

The person giving him the cd has everything to gain and benefits (and, in essence, uses) the rock star recipient (for feedback/advice),
and the rock star recipient has very little to nothing to gain, but only work/effort/favors to do/give out.

It's just not a very positive thing for someone in his position, is it?

So, next time you offer your music to an artist (or other music person with "power" or some degree of prominence or expertise in their field), try to picture it as you going up to a lawyer you barely know (maybe a relative of a friend or something ... or a lawyer you see once every six months when you're at a certain court building) and you hand this lawyer a folder. "This is a case I want to bring to court. Can you read this and give me feedback and advice on what odds you think I have of winning and/or ways I can improve my presentation?" There is no way you would probably do this, because you realize that a lawyer would charge you big bucks to do this kind of service. And even if you were willing to pay this lawyer for his/her advice, it might be the last thing they want to do right now at this point in time (that is, taking on another project or something else to do ... when you approach them in the hallway as they head to lunch or something).

So, for all those people that have done this in the past who might feel really guilty right now for doing it (relax, let it go); but for those of you that might be tempted to do this in the future, think twice (and don't do it) when you have the opportunity to give someone "who could help you" a cd of your music. If you can find someone that offers this service, go to them. But asking for this kind of help from someone who's active (and probably very busy most of the time) is really kind of an imposition.

There, I actually said it.
:?)

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at June 15, 2007 08:32 AM