I used to be a pure music fan.  I’m still a music fan of course, but now that radio is my job, the purity isn’t what it once was.  The politics and dramatics of the game have removed a fine layer of beautiful fandom-ignorance from the equation.  I’ll always dig music, but in order to keep my sanity, I have to spend some of my time loving something outside of that realm in order to keep balance.

We live in a time where there are more people looking for fans than there are fans themselves.  The youtube stars and MySpace celebs have prompted a lot of folks to want to start up their own empires and solicit followers.  Being a radio personality, I’m always looking for new listeners and people to notice what I’m trying to do.  It’s all a part of the game.  And I’m just like everyone else. 

I think it’s important for folks to be fans of something outside of themselves–professional appreciators, if you will.  It’s a good way to get outside of one’s own selfish agenda and really show gratitude and support for the talents of others, whatever they may be.

I’ve recently become a fan of the ASU Women’s Basketball Team.  Never much of a sports fan before, I began going to the games because my girl plays for the The Sun Devils.  The women on this team are incredible players, displaying a passion and hunger for their craft that rivals my own for the music industry.  The energy of both the fans and the players at the games is electric, and something about cheering someone else on in their dream gives me a natural high.  I feel like I’m a part of a community of appreciators who are in on a secret that not everyone knows about. 

So I cheer.  I scream.  I jump out of my seat.  I make signs.  And you  know what?  It makes me feel good to cheer them on.  Take it from someone who exists on both sides of the equation–being a fan is more rewarding than having one. 

Spread love.

Find out more about the ASU Women’s Basketball Team HERE.