So Not Cool

When in the entertainment industry there is nothing bigger than self promotion, especially when you are about to go public with a new product. Whether it be a movie, a new album or personal endeavor, those in and around the industry seek as many opportunities as possible to plug their products. And there may not be a better place to do so than at an awards ceremony, where you walk the red carpet and speak to a myriad of members in the media. This past Sunday Joe Jackson did exactly that when while in front of the cameras and microphones he plugged his new record label, Ranch Records. Jackson boasted about having blue ray capabilities and introduced his business partner to everyone he could. There was only one problem with Jackson's approach, it was extremely distasteful.

The BET Awards, the ceremony he was attending, had made impromptu changes to their program to honor his late son, Michael. So had it not been for his ridiculously talented son's death, Joe would not have had an outlet to promote his new venture. His actions on the red carpet were very frowned upon by the rest of the family. But there was nothing they could do, Dad is nearly 80 and is going to do whatever he please.

Not having been alive during the Jackson 5s rise to fame, I am not the most educated man to speak on who he was and is. I only know what I have read, strong on discipline, big on practice and even bigger on trying to make it big. And I certainly can not speak to how close the man was with his meal ticket of a son. But putting all that aside, I can say his actions were deplorable. Recognize the purpose and meaning to the night and act accordingly, your son's memory deserves more from you.