Journalist's observations create backlash

Well, well, well. It seems as if I ignited a fire among the fans of Mr. Dwight Yoakam with my column last week when I criticized the entertainer for my unfortunate "shunning" in front of his tour bus at BayFest.

Most importantly, it seems that this small blaze has turned into a bonfire where the roast does not include hot dogs and marshmallows, but me, a college journalist.

What I intended to be a simple written recollection of a personal experience turned out to be a depressing, life-altering doctrine to the followers of a musician you would think was next to Jesus himself by the reaction of some fans.

I have spent the past few days weaving through an array of message board comments and feedback left on The Vanguard site referring to my previous column.

While I simply laughed at the comments that referred to me as a "body part," I did take the time to acknowledge some of the accusations that were made in reference to my uneducated statements and my poor skills as a journalist.

Many comments stated that I needed to do my homework.

I would like to make it known that I am seeking special tutoring on how to effectively use a press pass to hone out almighty musicians and beg for five minutes of their time, and only hope that I am worthy enough to be in their presence.

I mean seriously. My only intentions for an interview with Yoakam were to ask a few questions that would be of interest to a couple thousand college kids.

Trust me, I wasn't looking for his secret Chicken Lickins recipe.

Another statement made was one concerning his need for security against crazy people, such as myself. Unless Yoakam knows the secret to eternal youth, or is hiding a winning lottery ticket in his pocket, I can almost guarantee you he would be safe from me. Armed security need only be present when the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd is around.

And the last comment I would like to address would be the one stating that I should have reviewed the show and based my article solely upon that information.

Well I can do that for you right now. Yoakam did a show that would give any rockabilly's "little sister a reason to do what your big sister done."

Need I say more?

This is why journalists conduct interviews. Everyone can see a show, and regardless of what I say, they will form their own opinions. However, not everyone can get an interview, and this is why journalists were created -- to gather limited information and convey it to an interested audience in order to keep them informed.

Journalists are the messengers that deliver unsolicited information from a musician to a fan, and any reader who can relate or appreciate the artist's thoughts or point of view will mold an opinion, based upon their reading.

By supporting journalists in their efforts to simply do their job, a musician is actually showing his gratitude to fans.

So while all you Yoakam fans play your guitars, drive your Cadillacs and listen to hillbilly music, go right ahead and step off your high horse too.