BEHIND THE CURTAINS
BY ARMAND LAROCHE
It doesn't pay to be rude!
Bruce Gaitsch, anything but gentlemanship!
One of the most vital basics in public relations, and social etiquette as well, is to display impeccable manners. You don't have to be Emily Post, but for God sake do not insult others. In show business and music industry, a genuine and polite rapport with the audience could catapult the career of an artist. The opposite is catastrophic. Especially, when the rude artist is a musician who has to struggle in a competitive world. This is the case of a guy by the name of Bruce Gaitsch. Bruce who? Really it does not matter who Gaitsch is. But what matters here is the lesson we learn from Gaitsch who returns a favor with an insult. Gaitsch received by email, an application form for inclusion in a new who's who about jazz and entertainment. The application contained two parts. Part two listed in-depth the table of contents of the book. Part one explained very clearly what an applicant must do to get listed and written up in the book. There is a fee of $25 for inclusion. And that's fine. All directories and who's who books require the same thing. It is a well-known fact. Some directories are more expensive. For instance, to be included in the international who's who in art published in France, both in English and French, you got to pay a nifty inclusion fee. Medical and scientific who's whos follow suit. No exception. You got my drill. In some highly respected art directories, the editor or publishers offers you an opportunity to attach your photo to your biography and narrative description of your accomplishments. I have no problem with that. As long as it is optional, and I don't have to pay a dime for a photo to be included in the book, it is fair and square with me.
But Gaitsch is not happy with that. Gaitsch received similar application. He emailed back the person who sent him an application requesting information about his career and biography just to tell him that "he is full of shit for asking $50" for printing his photo in the directory. Mind you, adding a photo to a biography is optional. Gaitsch could have replied thanks but no thanks! But Gaitsch went ape.
Not a class act!
Instead, he insulted the person who in my opinion did not do anything wrong. What a class act this Gaitsch is! Out of curiosity I visited his website. It is dark like his personality. How about his music? How good is he? Not so good. But I was not totally disappointed for I discovered a new and fastest way to go to sleep without taking pills: Listening to his CD Sincerely. Oh yes! It will put you to sleep right away! With a band, Gaitsch is fine. On his own, in solo, he is lousy. However, I must say, Mr. Gaitsch had some successes in his career. But success without charisma and manners would not last for ever.
Would you buy a CD from a guy who returns a favor with an insult?
You know the man from his deeds and you know the musician from his music. But how about the real man behind the mic and the music? His character? His persona? His way of dealing with others? Very important. It does not pay to be rude, especially in music and showbiz. Was I fair in reporting this? I do believe so. After all, I just reported what Mr. Gaitsch did say to Mr. Carol Lexter, the person who emailed him the application form. Yes indeed, antagonizing others for no reasons or perhaps for silly reasons and using vulgar language is anything but gentlemanship. Besides, it is bad for business. Would you buy a CD from a guy who returns a favor with an insult? I would not. It doesn't pay to be rude, Mr. Gaitsch.