Irritated by an Arizona Republic item this morning. In the Scottsdale zone section there is a plug for the Festival of the West and part of it reads, “And don’t forget tonight’s concert by Michael Martin Murphy (who we suspect is a country artist—the three names tipped us off).” This prompted me to send them this message:
Dear Scottsdale Edition Writers,
I know you were trying to be glib and clever (been there) but today’s snippet regarding Michael Martin Murphy—”who we suspect is a country artist—the three names tipped us off”—made me cringe. Based on your criteria I guess Credence Clearwater Revival, Nine Inch Nails and NWA (Niggas With Attitude) are Country. Do you really want to inform your readers how out of touch you are? If you are, congrats.
We finally got last weekend’s photo of the Parker speech crowd together. It was a four picture panorama and Robert Ray had to composite it. Here is is. What a handsome group, eh?
Yesterday I worked in the office all day. Assigned a face-off for the Wyatt Earp material. Going to be a very strong pro and con. Both writers are good at what they do. May create a daring cover to illustrate it. It may be too strong. Did sketches at about four and showed it to Carole. She laughed until she had tears in her eyes. Not sure that is the effect it will have on most. I’ll post sketches sometime next week. Still too early.
Evidently, someone walked off with our Vera McGinnis test market issue down at Festival yesterday. I can just imagine someone looking through the issue over and over going, “What a ripoff! There’s no article in here about Vera McGinnis! I’m going to sue!”
I’m going out this morning to judge the chuckwagon cook-off. Steeling myself for 11 batches of pinto beans, brisket, bread and dessert. The first year (this will be my third year) I thought I was going to die. You have to pace yourself (although I still eat all the beans—I love pintos!).
“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.”
—Winston Churchill
