Howard Kaylan is my Facebook friend.

This morning on the way to work, my Ipod battery gave out. Seems the newer ones don’t charge automatically by simply being attached to the car radio like the older ones did.

Digging around for CD’s to satisfy my music fix, I happened upon a homemade burn of the third and fourth LP’s by Flo and Eddie. I know these records are great and way under appreciated by the mass populous, but today for some reason that fact hit home more than usual. So as soon as I got to work, I opened up Facebook, and wrote on my “friend” Howard Kaylan’s wall (aka “Eddie”) to tell him personally of my fondness for these records.

It never used to be this way. As music fans we have unprecedented access to our heroes via social media. Plus the more obscure the artist, the more likely it will be that you’ve actually made contact with the genuine article.

This morning I got to read and engage in actual conversation with Peter Holsapple (of dB’s fame) in regards to Christina Aguilera’s butchering of the National Anthem this past Sunday. We agree that it isn’t just the fact that she botched the words, but it is also equal parts annoying that she insists on treating it like an audition. By trying to make it a showcase for her vocal talents instead of just SINGING THE SONG, she mangled the tune to the point where it was unrecognizable. A far worse sin than just forgetting a few lyrics.

Now keep in mind that I’m the type of music fan that would much rather shake the hand of the artist and say “thank you for the music” rather than get an autograph. So this type of unprecedented access in fact makes me uncomfortable on many levels. I am always overly considerate to the point where I would just as soon say nothing for fear of making the other person feel obligated to interact with me. Crazy, right? Maybe it’s just my introverted nature, but I don’t want to come across as some kind of smarmy borderline stalker. Which is exactly the kind of character trait social media thrives on to perpetuate itself.

So like a great guitar solo, I pick and choose my spots carefully. I try and be as brief and effective as possible, saying my piece concisely and then shutting the hell up. What can I say, it works for me. More often than not I get a response which inevitably freezes me in my tracks. Do I respond back? Should I just click “like”? Why did I even bother? Am I creeping out Howard Kaylan by stating out of a clear blue sky that “Moving Targets” is a wickedly great record?

I’m also friends with Todd Rundgren’s wife, Faye Hunter from Let’s Active, Stan Ridgway from Wall Of Voodoo, and many others. I read their posts and listen to their links, bathing in their limelight that they have so selflessly chosen to share with me. Always careful not to overstay my welcome or do too much chirping for fear of being perceived as a creep. This way, it’s better for everybody.