[Harp-L] "exploiting" the media/famous

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Been a lot of mention of the media in this famous thread. I've heard the word exploit the media, use the media. I'm a member of the media and I have interviewed tons of folks, Charlie McCoy, Michael Martin Murphey, Kelly Pickler, senators, governors, whatever. There is a huge bIues community in Marietta, with two huge events drawing a lot of big names, I meet a lot of musicians in my journalistic capacity. I can't even begin to remember, but that illustrates a point, remember when you talk to the media, they are not usually as impressed with fame as your fans. 
One of my media maxiums is this: people are, as a rule, grossly overimpressed by their own importance. Why do I say that? Cause people try to use me all the time. I get this a lot from local bands. Who gets the ink? Honestly, when it's up to me, and music in the news is something that so off radar from the main newspaper endeavors that it is basically up to me, or up to some writer peon like me, it's going to be who I like. That might be whose music I like, it might be personality. Personality will win over anything. You need to be friendly, you need to be gracious. If you're not willing to do that, buy an ad. 

When Jason Ricci comes to town, as far as I'm concerned, he can have whatever I'm allowed to do. Talent, phenomenol, but he's more than that. He'll talk to you like a human being and does not come off souding like a braying jackass. I think this is most important, he is not overimpressed by his own importance. He is a mastermind of media relations, whether he does this intentionally, or simply is being himself, is irrevelent. He treats you with respect. When you interview Jason RIcci, it's like talking to an old friend from Scout camp. I had trouble during my interviews with Jason remembering that he was Jason Ricci. The only other musician I've met that's Jason's equal in that department is Watermelon Slim. 

Now, Kelly Pickler is about as big right now as you can get with all this American Idol crap and whatnot, but I had no clue who she was when I met her. She was nice and sweet. I still ain't buying her records, but she got a helluva story out of me. 

Another guy like Ricci that can write his own ticket as far as I'm concerned is Watermelon Slim. He's unfreakingbelieveable. He has this sincerity like Ricci and he's into all this oddball stuff. The guy looks like he fell off a turnip truck, but he's a freakin' genius. Watermelon was in town a few years ago and we had actually set up the interview down on the Ohio River for some fishing before his show. There is no academic subject you could stump Watermelon on. I was talking to Fruteland Jackson and Fruteland says "You know he reads Shakespeare? I was in the hotel working out and Watermelon was over there talking about Shakespeare." 
Waternelon'll lay it down, too. I remember vividly helping him smoke some of his unfiltered Pall Malls talking about his preoccupation with his own death. WE talked about fishing some more., harps, women, terrorism (he's got some interesting views there). 

My point is Watermelon, Jason Ricci, Charlie McCoy, all treated me like a human being. Some of the ones I can't remember.... Some of the musicians who were rude to me, or presented themselves as though I were a pest or something to be used ... their stories were likely short and probably sucked. 


Dave

___________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk RIver Harmonicas    
www.elkriverharmonicas.com