I met David J. Spangenberg, Professor Pooch (1947–2021), back in the MySpace days, at a time when musicians connected directly, without filters or algorithms. We learned by talking. He was a true mentor, not just in music, but in attitude. He blended life philosophy with musical practice in a very direct way, and there are things in there that still hit hard today. He changed the way I saw music.
I’ve kept some of his old material to this day, which I’m sharing here. I revisited it recently and it still makes sense, maybe even more now than it did back then. Not everyone who teaches leaves a public record. Some leave their mark only on those who were lucky enough to cross their path, and this is one of those cases.
He valued authenticity above all, and made a clear distinction between opinion and truth, which is freeing for anyone who creates. He had an action-oriented mindset and lived music day to day. Read the words below carefully. And read them again:
Professor Pooch’s Personal Thoughts Regarding the Music Business, As Well as Day-to-day Life…
"You like each other, feel comfortable with each other, trust each other, and can rely on each other - that defines a "true friend". It always amazes me how so many people brag that they have "so many friends", when they really mean "acquaintances". I’ve seen that, if you have only one really great friend, you're ahead of most people..."
"I don’t understand why so many people have to put up walls around themselves, never letting you really get to know them. What are they afraid of? True Artists, as well as anyone who is confident in themselves, in effect, say: "What you see is Me. I do hope you like me, but, for better or worse this is who and what I am. Take me or leave me." Successful artists are those, who when performing, open themselves up and give their all - they give themselves totally to their audience. They’re not afraid to be vulnerable…"
"So why are some people insecure? Too many parents mentally abuse their children between the ages of 1-5, an age when kids are totally impressionable; an age when they take everything "wrong about them" in as "fact", and don't realize a parent [or relative or neighbor] may be just taking their own problems out on them! And this insecurity stays with the children as they grow older, where they're still feeling something’s wrong with them…"
"Simply put, whatever anyone thinks about anyone is simply their opinion. There is almost nothing in the arts, or even in real life where that isn’t true, no matter whether it’s what a person thinks about someone, or what they do, or what they create; it’s all just someone’s opinion."
"Now, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t keep our minds open to other people's opinions; they might make sense to you if offered in a positive, constructive manner. But if we don’t like what we hear, why should we let their opinion hurt us personally, and allow ourselves to spend a lot of what could be useful time, "in a funk"?"
"That’s all "Funks" are good for - wasting time. They have you sitting still in the present, rehashing things from the past, over and over, thinking about any and everything associated with why you’re upset, instead of putting it all behind you, and simply moving forward."
"It amazes me how people get so hung up on spending a large amount of time being upset that someone "hurt them" or "ripped them off" in some manner. Instead of wasting time dwelling negatively on a person who has "done you wrong", or thinking of ways to "punish someone", "get back at them", whatever - why not put your attention on You? That is, why not do something positive for yourself, instead? Are these stinking people really worth all the time and attention you're giving them? As they say, "Success is the Best Revenge"..."
"Whatever has happened in your life, no matter how embarrassing or harmful in any way, has already happened. You can't change the past. And you can’t change the future, either. But you CAN live and focus on the present…"
"I have found that way Too many people take life way TOO Seriously… Yes, things affecting you can be important. But is it really serious in the scope of life? Is it really worth all that drama? Not everything is "the end of the world"..."
"Let's face it, day-to-day life is like one big "Soap Opera"... As Shakespeare said: "Life is a Stage..." So, remember to tune in for the next episode…"
"I choose to be around "Positive People". I stay away from "Negative People"! It's amazing how just 1 negative person can bring 10 positive people down!"
"It's your choice - you can "live" or "exist". Most people are content just existing, watching other people and things simply pass them by... I wouldn’t want to become 80 and say, "Gee, if only I woulda…"
"As they say, "Today is the beginning of the rest of your life..." So, since you can start out fresh, why not… Why Not! Do you want to be haunted for the rest of your life because you didn't take the time to do something that your heart always wanted to? Let’s face it: If You Don't Control your Destiny, You Can Be Sure That It Will Control You..."
"Too many people say: "they'll try [to do] something". The problem is that, with that attitude, they have a negative outlook working against them right from the start. Think of the project as a challenge, a fun thing. Don't "Try" to do something - just "Do It"! Hey, you might surprise yourself beyond your wildest dreams..."
"I always hated how the Music Biz [as well as other bureaucracies] seems to always be "hurry-up-and-wait" in regards to you or your product being taken seriously. I've learned that, instead of just moping around feeling antsy, it pays to move forward in another area of my career instead of sitting around and going nuts… Sometimes I've even surprised myself by coming up with something I may never have even thought of…"
"You ever notice that when somebody is thought to be "really strange", they are said to be "crazy" - unless they're rich. Then they're considered "eccentric"… Good reason to become successful, huh?"
"I've found that creative people, when they sit around too long doing nothing, often leave themselves prone to let their mind go in a negative direction. All the more reason to stay busy doing something creative and constructive, and building your career, not tearing yourself, and it, down..."
"To me, there are only two kinds of Music: "Great", and "Not So Great". In my mind, all Great Music Creates a Mood, and keeps you there for the length of the song. It seems to take you off to another world or dimension. If it gets my mind and/or body moving, that's what does it for me…"
"Many people don't want to bend at all in regards to their Art. If you have an important message to get out, your beliefs, your style, your whatever, it pays to get something out, even if you have to bend a little. Art can have integrity and commerciality, both! Commerciality only means someone will buy the product! When you get something out there, you'll gain some power, and then you'll be trusted more to get that stuff out that means the most to you!"
"You can be the most creative person in the world, but if a person can't make money from you or your products because you are afraid to relinquish some power, or a fair amount of the profits, your intended audience may never know you exist, let alone hear your stuff!"
"Too many musicians perform in a studio "not too make a mistake"! Don't worry about mistakes! Let Loose!!! Make BIG Ones [which are often better than what was meant to be played]! It's gotta come from your Heart – not just your Head! Trust yourself! You can always replay your part..."
"I understand that, no matter what, when a person plays a bunch of notes together, basically making them into chords and such, what it comes down to is basically a musical version of mathematical equations. Now give that flow of mechanical notes to a songwriter that writes from his heart, and it can become a song that is flowing... flowing with feeling and emotion - simply, put: Mathemagical!"
"In the Music Business, I look for, and get involved in anything that is (1) Creative, and (2) Marketable. Creatively the person or product has to "hit me" - in other words, "forces me" to become involved - or, in another, other words - I'd be stupid if I turned the person or product down! Marketable, means it has to hit somebody else enough for them to want to market the person and/or product I have!"
"When I started out in the entertainment business - I became professionally involved at the age of 16 - I used to be into just the Creative part. Money meant nothing to me. Then I realized what I could do for people if I had money. Also, it's amazing how getting married and having kids brings the "Marketable" part into focus. And, I always told myself I'd never even get married! You just never know…"
"Isn't it interesting how established Major Labels are scared of "Unique Artists"? Ahem... well all people who become Superstar Artists Are Unique! And Superstars actually make them the most money! But, those Labels rather go with "safe" - afraid to take the risk on someone Special. Yes, it's their money at stake, but… well... ummm... have you listened to commercial radio lately? And Major Labels wonder why they're losing money..."
"You could have the greatest talent in the world - but if no one ever hears about you… The next time you hear on the radio a song that you wondered "How could that have gotten on the radio?" realize that it must have been Promoted very well. Look, there are many people and products that are Good or Great - but the ones that are promoted properly have a better chance of being successful. And, many times a much-less-than-great product will win out - because it was promoted properly. Promotion is the most important ingredient in becoming successful..."
"To me, "chaos" is fun! Now, I prefer a somewhat, at least in my own mind, "organized" form of chaos, but chaos is great for keeping me out of trouble. When there's chaos, you don't have time for THINKING - you just use your mind to move forward, DOING…"
"Yep, I’m known to “work” 12-16 hours a day, 7 days a week… I usually hear: “What do you do for a fun?” Personally, for fun I like to create music, write, teach, try to help people with their careers, etc… Hmmm… that’s my work…"
PP
